IN Kansas City July 2023

Innovators Influencers AND

TWELVE KANSAS CITIANS THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

RHIANNON ALLY

WARM CONTEMPORARY IN A MISSION HILLS COTTAGE

Carrie Dave Karen

Your

Kimberly Becky Elizabeth

Classic & Modern

Designer Katy Sullivan loves combining classic pieces with unique and unexpected elements to add personality to a home.

But above all, she enjoys the process of getting to know her clients, designing to their style, and creating a space that reflects their lives and personal aesthetic.

Come explore your style with Katy at Madden McFarland.

Elevated Nissan 2023 Nissan Murano

In This Issue

It’s our third annual Innovators & Influencers issue. Our original idea was to honor ten “people of the year” making a difference in Kansas City in ten categories. Well, we still have ten categories, but we’re honoring 12 people. Sometimes it takes two to tackle a task.

We quizzed Kansas Citians knowledgeable in each of the ten categories for their nominations, and then we winnowed it down to the 12 people you’ll read about in the feature, which begins on page 46.

It’s a much longer read than you’ll normally find in these pages, but we hope you feel it’s worth your time. I think you’ll be engrossed in their backstories and how they’ve achieved the success they’re being honored for here. Once again, we asked our contributing writer Katie Van Luchene to write the profiles. Please do take the time; their stories are mesmerizing.

You’ll be impressed by the wildly talented, diverse group of movers and shakers who are represented this year. There will be some everyone knows and some you’ve never heard of, although there’s one thing that unites them—they are all dedicated to making our metro a better place to live.

But of course, there’s still much more within these pages.

Rhiannon Ally, whose Q&A begins on page 42, is a familiar face to anyone who watched local nightly news for years. A Kansas City native, she’s moved beyond the local desk and now is a co-anchor of the ABC News programs World News Now and America This Morning and is frequently seen on Good Morning America. She’s also a mom, which was the impetus behind her book Mommy, Please Don’t Go to Work!

Jenny Vergara’s feature on page 58 is all about the games people play. Literally. She found 13 of the best local spots for grownups to mix food, fun, and a glass of their favorite adult beverage.

Starting on page 62, Judith Fertig reports on an absolutely charming Mission Hills home that the owners renovated during Covid—while living on the West Coast. And with all those challenges, the result is a home that’s perfect for a couple who loves to entertain. I think you’ll find the feature quite entertaining, too.

I hope you’ll find this issue an evocative mix of things you want to read and things you’ll need to read.

Zim

Vol. 6 | No. 7 JULY 2023

Editor In Chief Zim Loy

Digital Editor Liz Schroeder

Art Director Alice Govert Bryan

Contributing Writers

Susan Cannon, Judith Fertig, Cindy Hoedel, Cody Hogan, Damian Lair, Patricia O’Dell, Emily Park, Katie Van Luchene, Jenny Vergara

Contributing Photographers

Jim Barcus, Corie English, Aaron Leimkuehler, Lane Miller, Tony Tixier, Jenny Wheat

Publisher Michelle Jolles

Media Director Brittany Coale

Senior Media Consultants

Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Josie Rawlings

Business Consultant Chad Parkhurst

Newsstand Consultant

Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net

Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com

Advertising Questions: bcoale@inkansascity.com

Distribution Questions: mjolles@inkansascity.com

Magazine Subscriptions: Mail: IN Kansas City Subscriptions PO Box 292374, Kettering, OH 45429 Phone: 888-881-5861

photo by aaron leimkuhler

Let Every Day Be a Special Occasion

INKANSASCITY.COM

ENTER TO WIN

Summer shopping spree. Enter to win a $100 gift card to both Corinth Square and Corinth Quarter. at’s right—two gift cards for the price of none. Choose between Prairie Village’s best contemporary shops, artisan restaurants, and services. is $200 value is valid at both locations, so you can choose how to make the most of your summer. Enter to win by July 31 at inkansascity.com/ the-magazine/enter-to-win

Good luck!

Social calendar need a reboot?

Discover the most comprehensive calendar in the metro— art galleries, dance, theater, social events, food, music and so much more at inkansascity.com/events

Grill it up.

e calendar’s ipped to July, the temperature’s rising, and it’s o cially time to begin National Grilling Month.

Paradise Locker Meats has the perfect summer let recipe, along with a blackberry brandy sauce and some pro grilling tips.

e Trimble, Missouri-area meat supplier has only switched hands twice since it was rst built in 1946. Currently run by brothers Nick and Lou Fantasma, along with their parents, Paradise Locker broke ground on its new location 20 years ago and has been thriving ever since. eir recipe will include an additional “plate-builder” of grilled asparagus and hollandaise. Find the complete recipe at inkansascity. com/eat-drink/recipes

Let’s get vintage. Dan Posch spent a decade working in marketing for Kansas City’s boutique hotel industry before founding Vintage Posch, a vintage store focusing on the re nishing and restoration of midcentury-modern furniture. e popularity of his enhanced 50s, 60s, and 70s wood styles soared—now he’s at it again.

Vintage Source is set to open the rst week

one-of-a-kind nds. Read the full

Vintage Source is set to open the rst week of July in the West Bottoms to buy, sell, consign, and curate our city’s one-of-a-kind nds. Read the full interview at inkansascity.com

What’s coming in concerts?

e summer of music continues, and July’s bringing everything. Our music contributor, Timothy Finn, wraps it all up with the best concerts of the next month you won’t want to miss. You’ll nd everything from outdoor megastars to farewell tours, tribute bands and nostalgic favorites. Read the recommendations at inkansascity.com

Trying to decide where to eat?

For the city’s most comprehensive dining guide, head to inkansascity.com/eat-drink/dining-guide

This Month IN KC July

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE

by Liz Schroeder

KC Fringe Fest

July 14-30

kcfringe.org

On the fringe

Cultivating experimental artists and attracting adventurous audiences since 2005, the KC Fringe is the city’s largest celebration of art and culture. is 16-day explosion of theater, music, lm, and visual art o ers the opportunity to catch artists and performers testing out new and personal material. Shows are uncensored, not juried, and feature local, national, and international artists. Tickets and locations vary by show—on sale starting June 15.

JULY SPOTLIGHT

KC Lawn Party

July 23

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and Theis Park

kcparks.org/event/kansas-citys-lawnparty

The great outdoors. Kansas City’s biggest lawn party is here just in time to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month. From the edge of Brush Creek to the stairs of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, people are welcome to stretch out, picnic, and enjoy the live music of the Salvation Choir, Starlight STARS, and Back Alley Brass Band. Make Music KC will present a No Music Required Sound Making Event. Lawn games, art activities, and giant bubbles are promised all evening, and one talented painter will be awarded $500 at the “Quick Paint” contest. While no grills are allowed, food trucks will be on-site to satisfy any cravings. e event is set to happen rain or shine.

Moving Arts

Strang Hall Beer Fest

July 15

Strang Hall

downtownop.org/events/beer-fest

Cheers! For the third year in a row, Strang Hall is collaborating with some of Kansas City’s favorite local breweries to o er guests unlimited tastings of their favorite beers. Ticketholders will also be treated to live music and a 20 percent discount on food from Strang Hall’s collective of chef-driven restaurants. Participating breweries include Boulevard Brewery, KC Bier Company, Cinder Block Brewery, Fields and Ivy Brewing, Limitless Brewing, Sandhills Brewing, and Great Divide Brewing Company. Non-drinkers won’t be left out with Strang Hall’s “designated driver” ticket option, including access to the event plus the 20 percent o food discount.

July 22

Gem Theater

movingartsco.org/ performances

All the right moves. e Gem eater is hosting another night lled with dance and entertainment presented by Moving Arts. For its tenth anniversary, Moving Arts is highlighting four critically acclaimed choreographers. Audiences can expect to see familiar favorites from years past as well as world premieres from choreographers Christian Denice and Gabriel Lorena. Stephanie Martinez will return with her passionate 2018 hit, Dos Lados , as will Andonis Foniadakis with the energetic Someone Else .

Party in the USA

July 27

Starlight Theatre

kcstarlight.com

Celebrate! A night of Bingo and Broadway awaits at Starlight eatre. In a partnership with the Kansas City Public Library and Principals Connect, Starlight’s challenging you and yours to Broadway-themed music bingo alongside a bu et of Kansas City’s best barbecue and drinks. Use the promo code USA to add this preshow experience to a night out with the musical 1776, a show based on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com

How to Make Party Food Look Pretty

MERRILY DISCUSSES THE ART (AND SCIENCE) OF PRESENTING SCRUMPTIOUS-LOOKING FOOD

by Merrily Jackson

photo by Corie English

As a proud member of our town’s Junior League, my “placement” for a couple of years was to serve as design and production chair for our cookbook, Above & Beyond Parsley. A benefit of the position was getting to sit in as “the client” on a number of photo shoots with an art director, a food photographer, and a professional food stylist. It was my first exposure to the dark arts of professional food styling, where things seldom are as they appear. You’ve probably heard the stories. The milk in a bowl of cereal? Glue. Condensation on a frosty margarita? A dulling spray followed up by glycerine drops.

EXIT THE RADISH ROSE

Of course, this was back in the days when lacquered, intricately embellished food was more the thing. Now, cookbooks, food blogs, and magazines rarely present you with a fanned strawberry or an over-engineered lemon slice. You are more likely to see ex-

Be Inspired.

We believe your home should be a space that inspires you on a daily basis. Don't settle for ordinary – Come Home to Nest.

www.nestkc.com

Dirty Martini Dip

MY FRIEND Bernie Ashcraft brought this dip to a ladies gathering, along with a bowl of pita chips. We descended upon and devoured it like a ring of feeding hyenas. I asked Bernie for the recipe—we all did—and she agreed to give it to me for my column only if I acknowledged that she originally got the recipe from Taylor Smith, marketing director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, where Bernie serves as a board member.

You don’t have to like dirty martinis to enjoy this dip. And it does not contain booze, just creamy, packed-withflavor goodness.

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

3/4 cup pimiento stuffed green olives, chopped

1 tablespoon olive juice

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, olive juice, onion powder, garlic powder, and half of the blue cheese. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to fully combine the ingredients.

Stir in the chopped olives and remaining blue cheese by hand. (Bernie garnished her dip with several green olives on a small skewer.)

Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, surround it with your favorite dippers, and enjoy!

Serves ten to twelve as an appetizer.

treme close-ups of rustic, home-cooked food, the more imperfect looking, the better.

For the servantless American cook (as Julia Child called her audience) and time-crunched party-giver, this trend toward unfussiness in food presentation is a liberating thing.

But still. Although you may not have time to fashion a lime camellia for each plate, you want your guests to look at the food you serve them and feel cherished—and hungry. Here are some ideas for tricking out the food you serve your guests.

FIRST, A DRINK.

While it may sound trivial, the garnish on the first cocktail you serve your dinner guests is a key matter to tend to.Pay attention to this detail, and it tells your guests you’ve paid attention to everything else.

When having a crowd over (say,four or more),I recommend offering a cocktail before dinner that can be mixed in quantity before people arrive. A pitcher of freshly made mojitos or pink sangria (email me for these recipes) looks inviting garnished with citrus slices, berries, and a few elegant wisps of lemon zest. You could doll up each glass—hurricanes are perfect,but a water goblet or rocks glass will do—with whisper-thin wheels of lime and lemon, and a sprig of mint or basil.

If you’re simply serving drinks from your bar, have freshly sliced wedges of lemon and lime in supply, along with pimento-less green olives, and, depending on the crowd, pearl onions and maraschino cherries (with stems,please).Don’t forget cocktail napkins; you want to always have a generous supply on hand.

If one of your guests is known to be fond of a particular cocktail, he or she will never forget your thoughtfulness if you make a point of having all the ingredients, and the proper garnish in supply

NOSHES WITH COCKTAILS

Over the years I’ve collected an assortment of serving pieces for the presentation of pre-party nibbles. Interesting trays, colorful little bowls, and serving implements—they need to be small in scale—miniature tongs, skewers, serving spoons, forks, spreaders. Nothing matches, but that’s kind of the point I’m not a matchy-matchy person, but I do admire the more restrained look of all-white serving pieces, which better allow the food to be the star.

I like to have an array of simple little savories to set out when guests arrive, such as cheeses, crackers, sliced baguette, nuts, baby gherkins, sliced salami, mustards, grapes, kettle chips, olives, pistachio nuts (the latter two need extra little bowls for pits and shells), I wait to assemble the entirety until just before the guests arrive, so everything looks fresh, fresh, fresh. If you have fresh herbs, add a few pretty sprigs to your serving trays. All the tidbits I listed are easy because they are store-bought, but if I have some extra time, I make the Dirty Martini Dip, see recipe on page 18.

I put out little appetizer plates so guests can serve themselves. When people are busy talking and drinking, I offer to

make a snackie plate for them, that’s how selfless a hostess I am.

PLATING CAN BE FUN

How food is arranged on a plate figures deeply in how we think it will taste. When you plan your dinner menu, imagine how the food will look together. Will there be a variety of colors, shapes, and textures?

When I have a group over for a seated dinner, I prefer to plate the food rather than serve it buffet style. I enroll a guest or two to help, we’ve got the tunes going in the kitchen, we’ve got our cocktails—at this point not as carefully garnished—and it’s the best part of the evening for me. I usually have an idea of how I want the food to look on the plate and will assemble a “demo plate.” Invariably, my dictatorial kitchen help has a few artistic tweaks; we collaborate on the final presentation.

So that dinner doesn’t get cold, it helps to heat the plates in the oven or warming drawer. Not every food needs a garnish, but I always try to add one last thing that gives the plate that fresh-out-of-the-kitchen look—a grating of Parmesan cheese or lemon zest, a sprinkling of freshly chopped chives, a drizzle of olive oil.

Don’t overload the plate—it’s best to leave about a third of it empty— and make sure the rim is wiped clean with a paper towel.

HI, SWEETIE

When I go to the trouble of making a dessert, I want it to look home-

made; I don’t want anyone to think it came from the bakery, not that there’s anything wrong with serving a store-bought dessert.

Most desserts, store-bought or otherwise, are so pretty in themselves they don’t need a lot of embellishment. But if you want to dazzle your guests, you can always do the trick with the sauce (crème anglaise and chocolate or strawberry) in the plastic squeeze bottles You make concentric circles on the plate, and then you drag a toothpick through them and plop a little cake or cheesecake on top. Your guests will feel loved, even if they’ve seen it on the Food Network.

I’m always impressed by a layered dessert in a footed glass, because they look so labor-intensive, but they are pretty easy to put together, especially if you have a lot of dessert odds and ends on hand. You can do layers of whipped cream or softened ice cream; berries and other fruits; caramel and chocolate sauces; mini cupcakes, cheesecakes, brownies, and lemon bars; crushed candies, sprinkles, toffee and chocolate chips. You can put virtually anything yummy in a stemmed glass and it will look elegant. Just make sure everything is bite-size.

Or you can make my very favorite dessert to serve my guests: my Buenavista Coconut Cake. It looks beautiful (but homemade) and tastes dreamy. And the best part is, it’s a doctored-up cake mix. Email me and I’ll send you the recipe.

by Damian Lair

dlair@inkansascity.com

: @damianlair #OurManINKC

A Jazzy Zoo

The annual Jazzoo bene t for the Kansas City Zoo seems to be the summertime event that so many Kansas Citians look forward to every year—myself included. It’s the perfect excuse to get all dressed up in chic summer party wear.

ere are abundant reasons to love Jazzoo, but food is probably number one on most patrons’ lists. With more than 60 participating local restaurants (!) scattered across the expansive zoo property (exercise is the perfect counterbalance to grazing), my friends and I sampled bites from the likes of Bay Boy Sandwiches, Betty Rae’s, Bizz & Weezy, BLU HWY, Charleston’s, Chef Kansas City, KC Mac N’ Co, Mo Pie, Nighthawk at Hotel Kansas City, The Savoy at 21C, Snickety Snack Bar, Urban Café, and Waldo Pizza.

Along the way, we caught pop-up performances by KC Aerial Arts, took a ride around the zoo carousel, grabbed plenty of cocktails at the staggered open bars, and tuned into live music at several stages, including Drew Six, Superstar Ma a, and the Daniel Dissmore Trio

Our unpredictable Midwest weather can present i y conditions for a massive outdoor summertime party, but this year was positively perfect—and likely the best Jazzoo weather I’ve experienced. While grabbing Insomnia Cookies on our way out, it was nice to re ect on, not only the fun evening, but the funds raised that will provide food and care to the more than 1,700 animals who call our zoo home.

SPOTTED: Anita Gorman, Kathy & Lance Nelson, Richard Wetzel, Jen Macias DeMeyer, Rayna Parks Shaw, Venessa Huskey, Sean Smith, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee, Jane Gard, Angie Je ries, Heidi Markle, Supatra Brown, Amy & Sam Elliott, Latrice England, Dominique Hall

GIMME THAT GREEN DOOR

THERE’S NOTHING I love more than supporting friends on their latest KC adventures. So, it was a great joy to visit the newly relocated Green Door Antiques for its grand opening. Green Door is the retail conception of Justin Swartz and Darren Killen (shout-out to my primary care physician!). e shop is a collection of European nds, assembled from frequent visits there to thoughtfully ll ship-

ping containers destined for Kansas City. ere’s a particular emphasis on garden-related items, such as stoneware and statuary, but more than an abundance of furniture, artwork, glassware, and items for accessorizing.

HOT GOSSIP:

Who was a social media disaster at Jewel Ball, making her poor husband re-do her prancing and hair- ip videos— bystanders aghast?

Similar shops in town lean more toward French, Belgian, and Danish styles, but Green Door’s wares feel more collected from in and around the verdant British Isles—yet still very much a tour de Europe. Located in the Pennway Park neighborhood (yes, it’s becoming a thing—right next to Studio Dan Meiners), and open every Wednesday through Saturday. You can cozy up to the massive 16-foot antique shop counter and have Justin or Darren dazzle you with what they’ve recently discovered.

SPOTTED: Andrea & Steve Bough, David Brinkerho , Dan Nilsen, Kevin Bryant & Tom Suther, Rob Adams & Rob Gray, Kurt Knapstein, Doug Wells & Marcio Reis, Todd Schulte, Amy Jo Cosgrove, Chris Loggins, Rand Hawks

Damian Lair with BLU HWY’s vintage VW Bus at Jazzoo.

FLAVORS OF CENTRAL

FIFTEEN YEARS into living in Kansas City, I am still finding new events and happenings that—while popular to many—remain unknown to me. One such recent occurrence was The Flavors of Central Tour Organized around Kansas City, Kansas’s Central Avenue corridor, the culinary tour was imagined to showcase the concentration of more than 40 authentic Latino restaurants in the immediate area.

People from around KC and far beyond have discovered there is nothing quite like the invigorating flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine pouring out of KCK. I’ve visited on multiple occasions, including my writing about the KCK Taco Trail. (Still going strong—check it out!) This annual tour, though, is a superb way to eat (and drink) your way through KCK in an exploratory and flexible fashion.

For a modest ticket price (far exceeded by the food value), you’re supplied with a checklist map pinpointing all participating locations, including what menu item(s) each is offering. You arrive at any location throughout the day, they punch your map (no repeats!), and you are provided their specialty. The bites are appetizer-portioned, allowing you to squeeze in a large number—or at least that’s the idea (I ran out of room rather prematurely).

We began our tour at Bethany Park, where we retrieved our maps and enjoyed a bit of live music. From there, we embarked on foot down Central Ave., beginning with El Jefe Taqueria. We were warmly greeted with tacos al pastor (pork shoulder cooked on a rotating spit) that were reminiscent of the street tacos in Mexico that occupy my dreams. From there we popped next door to El Torito Grill, and tossed back tacos alambre (beef, bacon, cheese and peppers—basically, a Philly cheesesteak taco). Further down the street, we hit El Pollo Guasave, with its charbroiled pollo a la parilla—not quite a whole chicken, but a very sizeable portion. I skipped due to my self-imposed, nonsensical nomeat-on-bones rule, but my friends gladly made my portion disappear. We then dashed across the street and began heading down the other side of Central. We dropped into Taqueria el Torito for their gordita de maiz and asada. This small Mexican corn cake stuffed with pork and cheese was the farthest thing from a Taco Bell “gordita.” In fact, it was the best thing I ate all day (and that’s saying a lot!). Next up was Taqueria Jalisco for more tacos al pastor and then next door, La Michoacana TO GO, where they had elote (grilled Mexican street corn) and paleta (fruity ice pops). Whew! Just six stops in, the impossible reality of hitting all 23 locations hit us.

OVERHEARD

Hill, with panoramic views of the KCMO skyline, we enjoyed what was left of the mild, beautiful summer day on Mockingbird’s deck. The scenery was so sublime that we barely wanted to leave and kept ordering round after round. While barely a couple of miles from my home, it felt like a whole new world unexplored, with so many more stones yet to be overturned on future KCK visits. So, I’ll be back . . . #SeeYouOnCentral

LEADING WITH LOVE

I WAS PLEASED to recently attend an inaugural fundraising event for the Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy (KCGPA). Located on the east side of Kansas City—intentionally amidst the highest rates of poverty and unmet demand for performing school seats—the academy is the city’s first and only open-enrollment, single-gender, public charter school. The secondary school is led by a mission to prepare young women—particularly black and brown women—to use their voices, to succeed in college, and to lead impactful, meaningful lives.

Admittedly, I knew very little of KCFPA before tossing on a blazer and walking over to the Loews Kansas City Hotel. As soon as I arrived though, with champagne in hand, I spotted more than a few of my favorite admirable, brilliant women (and men) there to support. There must be something here, I thought. In retrospect, something feels like quite an understatement.

Kicking things off with a bang, we heard from honored guests, Ann & Andrew Tisch. Yes, you’ve seen their last name carved in marble on countless buildings in NYC and beyond. Ann, a proud Kansas City native and former NBC reporter absorbed by educational issues, was inspired to create an all-girls inner-city public school to serve disadvantaged families. In 1996, she did just that and opened The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of East Harlem. There are now six TYWLS schools in NYC, including Queens, Brooklyn, Astoria, the Bronx, and Staten Island. KCGPA is an affiliate of the Young Women Leadership Network that has expanded to five additional states outside New York. Collectively, the schools educate more than 15,000 students annually, and with nearly 100 percent securing college acceptance (at four times the rate of their peers), those students have racked up nearly $1 billion in college scholarships and aid. Interesting proof point on equity: a daughter belonging to one of the school’s custodial workers was accepted to the same college as (and attended alongside) Ann’s own daughter—despite vastly different resources and backgrounds.

HOT GOSSIP:

With Central Ave. essentially checked off, we jumped in the car to knock out some others in a more scattershot manner. Those included Nevelandia for aguas frescas (fruit juices with lime and sweetener), GG’s Barbacoa Café for mini quezabirria (stewed, shredded beef folded into a tortilla with melted cheese and served with broth for dipping)—very good, and Burritos Chiquita for tacos barbacoa (slow-cooked beef). Can I just say— we were stuffed. And by my count, we didn’t even make it to half the available stops. But we had so much fun.

What recent longstanding arts organization recently held a surprise disbanding party?

We capped off our day with a trip to the nearby bar, Mockingbird Lounge. Perched atop Strawberry

KCGPA intentionally partnered with a rigorous charter sponsor that would hold the school to the highest levels of accountability. And that’s paid off for its students. In its most recent statewide Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores, KCGPA ranked 4th in 555 Missouri schools—outpacing their peers by 57 percent in reading and 70 percent in math. Impressive for a school just four years young.

The school also boasts a number of students belonging to immigrant and refugee families—some of whom have never been inside a school before. One such refugee was in 7th grade in Afghanistan when the Taliban resumed control of her country. Her father had worked with

“I’m going to need you to act like I’m as important as I think I am.”

LET US HOST YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

the U.S. military, so their lives were in danger, and they needed to leave the country. She came to the U.S. knowing very little English—unable to communicate with her classmates, feeling alone and hopeless. Imagine. But on this night, she delivered a speech (in perfect English) to a full ballroom, with grace and beaming pride. (Tears were shed.)

Christine Kemper—who likened her bold idea for this beautiful school to having a baby—not knowing how much work it would be but learning that there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for that child. She believes that education is the only way out of poverty—that education will provide the tools needed for a girl to realize her own potential. “If you lift a girl, you lift her family, and if you lift a family, you lift a community, and if you lift a community, you have the potential to lift the world.”

Dream-team event cochairs Debby Ballard, Mara Cohara, Tammy Edwards, Jeanette Prenger, and Laura Welch (in from Telluride!), along with Christine spearheading, did a remarkable job rallying support for this cause.

I ZING AROUND

WHEN I SAY that I’ve been looking forward to the Zambezi Zinger’s opening for months—I mean it. At 7 a.m., I burst through the gates at Worlds of Fun for the First Rider Expedition ahead of the park’s opening. Celebrating its 50th year, Worlds of Fun has brought back an entirely new version of the 1973 (closed in 1997) nostalgia-invoking coaster. [Fun fact: the original, now renamed Montaña Rusa, has been relocated to Montenegro, Colombia.]

Perfect for FUNDRAISERS, WEDDINGS, PRIVATE PARTIES, and CORPORATE EVENTS

Rooms are available for any occasion and include PREMIUM LIGHTING AND SOUND

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The event, on a sleepy Thursday evening, pulled in an astounding $1.25 million—unheard of for a first event. With live fund-a-need levels beginning at $10,000, people were tripping over themselves to give $25k. And the icing on the cake was Christine’s husband, Sandy Kemper, and his final paddle-raise for $100k. Take that—sleepy Thursday! Incredible evening. Incredible cause. Incredible potential.

OVERHEARD

The new coaster’s hybrid steel and wood frame drops riders from a familiar spiral lift and into a low-to-the-ground track that races through trees and terrain mimicking the African Serengeti. The two-minute ride takes passengers >2,400 feet, reaching speeds of 45 mph. Fans of the original iteration will notice numerous similarities, including the updated original queue building and park location, initial spiral lift, midcourse tunnel, and low track.

In partnership with Big Slick and Children’s Mercy Hospital, Worlds of Fun hosted a fundraiser drawing earlier this year for lucky winners to be among the first riders on the new coaster. The buzzy opportunity helped raise $20,000 for Children’s Mercy.

SPOTTED: Sly James, Ursula Terrasi, Marcia & Lon Lane, Sharon & John Hoffmann, Jon & Megan Stephens, Julie Anderson Clark & Vince Clark, Nicki & Myron Wang, Lynn Carlton, Erica Crenshaw, Troy Lillebo, Brian Ellison, Julie Nelson Meers, Melanie & Chip Miller, Dr. Marjorie Williams, Adam Miller, Joanna & Larry Glaze

I’ll freely admit—being the first to do anything gives me a serious jolt of adrenaline. But the chance to be a first rider on the reimagined version of a roller coaster I fondly remember from childhood WoF trips with my sisters, mom, and Aunt Marsha was a special sort of thrill. And thrills? Well, Worlds of Fun is positively full of ’em.

So, KC—where do you want to go? XO

Join us for HAPPY HOUR on one of THE BEST ROOFTOP DECKS in KC! DRINK SPECIALS and GREAT FOOD 2PM - 7PM

401 Westport Rd • KCMO fountainhauskc.com

Thursday: 6pm - 1am

Friday: 2pm - 3am

Saturday: 2pm - 3am

Sunday: 2pm - 1am

Where ANYTHING can happen and everyone is WELCOME!

“There comes an age and a wage when you can do and say what you want.”

The Zambezi Zinger.

Becky Blades

THE CREATIVITY GURU ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS

As an author, artist, entrepreneur, and strategist, Becky Blades has learned that one of the keys to creativity is, simply, starting.

Her blog, StARTistry, beckyblades.substack. com, explores the art of beginning. And it all came into focus after she graduated from the Journalism School at the University of Missouri.

Blades took her journalism training a different direction from writing newspaper or magazine articles, although she has done both. But somehow, she knew there was more. “Journalism school was indeed a creative discovery,” says Blades. “Journalism requires constant stARTistry. Every day you must start from scratch, with curiosity, to find and tell a story. Then you do it again the next day. That transferred to the public relations firm I built and a lifetime of creative curiosity.”

She creates mixed-media artwork, acrylic paintings, monoprints, intaglio prints, functional art, and driftwood sculpture. Her artwork is in private collections from San Francisco to New York to Paris and is sold in four galleries nationally.

Since merging and selling her public relations firm, Blades & Associates, in 2003, Becky has launched four other businesses, worked as a strategic consultant, served on corporate and nonprofit boards, and as a civic advocate for the arts and entrepreneurship. She lectures at UMKC’s Henry W. Bloch School of Management, The University of Kansas School of Journalism, and The Kansas City Art Institute.

Blades is also a past chair of ArtsKC, the Regional Arts Counsel, where she helped lead the organization through a region-wide community process to create the first-ever Regional Cultural Plan and, separately, to build a five-year strategic plan for the organization.

She lives in Kansas City with her husband of 38 years, Cary Phillips. Their two daughters, Taylor Kay Phillips, and Tess Phillips are off on their own creative pursuits. beckyblades.com

INKC: Your book Start More Than You Can Finish: A Creative Permission Slip to Unleash Your Best

by Judith Fertig photo by Jenny Wheat

Arts & Culture IN KC

Ideas urges us to tap into whatever vein of creativity we possess. How did you first learn to tap into your creative self?

Becky Blades: I found my creative self in my mother’s sewing scrap bin at age 4, then in third grade, when the teacher put me in charge of the classroom bulletin board to keep me out of trouble, and the result was life-defining. I learned that ideas come freely when they have places to go, that I can start and stop and change my mind—that I can joyfully create without a finish line or outside reward. It taught me how to face the blank page, because there is no bigger page than the bulletin board of Room 5 at George B. Longan Elementary.

INKC: Why is nurturing your creativity so important—even if your job doesn’t require it?

BB: Neuroscience proves that creating makes us happier, healthier, more confident, and less anxious. But that’s just the gravy. Acting on our ideas reveals the best, unique parts of ourselves. It’s how we learn who we are. It’s the way to knowing and loving ourselves, to thriving and flourishing. And creativity is always always part of the job. It’s problem-solving, innovation, growth, and renewal. Every organization and job description requires creativity, and what I call “startistry”—creative initiative. We’re all creative. Survival requires it. Some might misunderstand the word, thinking it only applies to artistic creativity—music, visual arts, writing. Certainly, art is included, but the mindset I’m offering is about acting on our ideas, whether it’s starting a book club, a business, a cake, or a donkey rescue.

INKC: You have written books, worked in live theater and a sold-out comedy show, learned to pilot a plane, but say you’re a bad cook. What is your worst recipe?

BB: Since this is just between us, I’ll answer with a story. When my daughters were 5 and 7, I was sick with the flu, so I made a pot of soup. (I can actually make pretty good chicken noodle soup.) When the family sat down to eat it, they were all prepared to be very nice to me, because I was sick. Well, I had burned the soup. The problem is never the recipe.

I’m not an idiot. But I don’t have the patience or motivation to spend hours pot watching and setting timers—just to make food to be consumed by people who whine that they’d rather have pizza. Besides, I can make a painting in the time it takes me to burn a good sauce.

INKC: How has the Kansas City area helped you and your family (including daughter Taylor Kay Phillips with her new book, Midwestern Conversations) thrive? Is this a good place to hatch great ideas?

BB: Absolutely! Kansas City is an inspiring place to be a creator, and to raise one.

I grew up in midtown, a few blocks from the Hallmark offices, and I’ve always held that Hallmark puts creative juice in the water. As a kid, every time I picked up a Hallmark card, I remember thinking, “I know where this was made.”

I did not need to leave Kansas City to fill Start More Than You Can Finish with powerful examples of inventors, entrepreneurs, artists, and inspiring educators.

Arts & Culture IN KC

by Judith Fertig

DIEGO RIVERA’S AMERICA AT THE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

ALTHOUGH NOT in the Kansas City metro area, this unique exhibit by extraordinary Mexican artist Diego Rivera, including works by his wife Frida Kahlo, is well worth a day trip to northern Arkansas. And you only have until July 31.

In his immersive murals and large paintings, Diego Rivera depicted the everyday humanity of people he observed—families and workers, celebrations and struggles. Between the early 1920s and the early 1940s, he worked in both Mexico and the United States and found inspiration in the social and cultural life of the two countries. He envisioned an America in which its Indigenous past could meet the industrial future—and thrive.

Diego Rivera’s America examines this prolific time in the artist’s life through more than 130 works, including his drawings, easel paintings, frescoes, and more. You will also see three major paintings by Frida Kahlo, all done in San Francisco, including a self-portrait of her standing next to Rivera.

Normally, admission to the museum is free and unticketed. For this exhibit, however, tickets are $12 per person. Make sure to check out museum hours and spend the night in nearby Bentonville, if you wish. crystalbridges.org

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS: SUMMER HORNS

IT’S NOT OFTEN the sexy saxophone takes center stage, but it does in this concert on July 15 at the Kauffman Center.

Dave Koz, a California native, is touring the country with saxophonist friends Candy Dulfur and Eric Darius.

Koz has amassed quite a following on land and sea (he also performs on cruises), here and abroad (he’ll be touring in Europe), with his high-octane, feel-good concerts. Koz has even found praise from the critics. Esquire writer Jeff Gordinier, sounding like a reluctant fan, noted, “The person who embraces the musicianship of the likes of Dave Koz is one who has found peace and has zero f*cks to give.”

Koz has been touring Summer Horns , with various friends and playlists, since 2013 with sold-out concerts and even a Grammy nomination, so he’s doing quite well, thank you very much.

Visit kauffmancenter.org for ticket and performance information.

Dance in Tehuantepec by Diego Rivera

MOVIES AT THE NELSON

THE PRINCESS BRIDE, showing on July 14, is already sold out, but you might be able to get tickets for The Maltese Falcon on July 28 showing at Tivoli Under the Stars on the lawns of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.

The Maltese Falcon, starring the iconic Humphrey Bogart as the hard-boiled detective Sam Spade, was directed by the likewise iconic John Huston. Peter Lorre plays a creepy villain, Sydney Greenstreet the main antagonist, and Mary Astor the femme fatale. The movie plays along classic film noir lines and is considered one of the best American films of all time. The 1941 film was based on the 1930 novel by Dashiell Hammett.

For Tivoli Under the Stars, you purchase tickets by the pod, meaning a group of four people for $58, assuring you of a space on the grounds. In case of inclement weather, the screening moves inside to Atkins Auditorium. You can preorder snacks and beverages, too.

For more information and tickets, visit nelson-atkins.org.

COLSON WHITEHEAD AT RAINY DAY BOOKS

TWO-TIME PULITZER PRIZE WINNER and bestselling author Colson Whitehead will talk about his new work Crowd Manifesto: A Novel on July 24 at 7p.m. at Unity Temple on the Plaza. His work The Underground Railroad won the National Book Award.

This new novel continues the Harlem saga, taking the reader back to all that was 1970s New York—the crime, the seediness, the trash on the streets, the drugs, the partying, the ongoing tension between the NYPD and the Black Liberation Army.

In this darkly funny tale of countercultures clashing, the old ways give in to the new, and there’s always someone caught in the middle.

Geoffrey Jennings will interview Whitehead about his life and work. You will need a ticket that entitles you to a book and admission for two.

For tickets, contact rainydaybooks.com.

BY Susan Cannon

Look IN KC Fashion Summer Style

IN HUES OF EARTH, WATER, AND SKY

It’s high summer, and it’s time to up your game at the beach or at the club. Muted earth tones are a major player this season. Here are some of the most stylish, laid-back pieces to wear, carry, and spread a little warmth of your own.

Cut Fifty sunglasses, $69, by Spit re. Available at Ulah (Woodside Village).

Tanlines Turkish towel, 39 inches by 68 inches, handmade in lightweight, fast-drying pure linen, $62. Find at welcometowondervalley.com

Standard Procedure embroidered robe with exterior velvet nish, $90; Standard Procedure swim trunks in tech fabric, $46, both available on zara.com

Swan Family men’s shorts by Well Known, $135. Available at a.Gallery by Volume 1NE (Crossroads).

Ra a fringe tote with cotton lining and inside pocket, $108. Available Anthropologie (Country Club Plaza and Town Center).

Amina Hood striped Sinamay straw big-brim hat, $325. Available on aminahood.com

Lido Ventinove swimsuit, fully lined, in terracotta, $188. Available at Finefolk (West Plaza). at

BY Susan Cannon

Unleash Your Summer Body

FEEL GOOD IN YOUR OWN SKIN WHEN EYES ARE ON YOU. HERE ARE SOME SKINCARE PRODUCTS THAT MAXIMIZE GLOWING RESULTS

Unwind with this gentle coconut-derived cleanser with calendula, panthenol, and hydrolyzed quinoa, rich in protein and vitamins A and B. Soothing patchouli and relaxing lavender essential oils instill calm, while antioxidant rosemary and cooling eucalyptus boost the spirits and promote clarity of thought. $27 (6 oz.), Indie Lee. Find at Hand and Land (Luzier Building, Midtown).

Smooth bikini lines and legs are what you’ll get with the Flamingo ergonomic razor that has an aloe and shea butter lubricating strip, along with its moisturizing shave gel with aloe vera. 5-Blade Razor, 2 Cartridges and Shower Holder, $10, and Foaming Shave Gel, $6 (6.7 oz.) both by Flamingo. Find at all Target locations.

A skin-softening, mineralrich formula transforms into a gentle exfoliator as you work Osea Body Scrub into your skin. Mineral-rich salts from around the world bu away roughness, while shea butter and wild gigartina seaweed nourish the epidermis for silky-smooth and glowing skin. Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, $48 (12 oz.). Available at all Ulta locations.

A luxurious Goopglow body oil that smells of ginger, violet, cedar, and vetiver leaves skin feeling smooth, glowing, and moisturized. With nourishing, nutrientdense lipids, it instantly quenches dry, dull skin for a sexy, healthylooking glow. It further indulges the senses with pomegranate, raspberry seed, sea buckthorn, and kakadu plum oils. Goop Afterglow Body Oil, $48 (4 oz.), at Welwythn (Prairie Village Shops).

Tan-Luxe The Gradual raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E lightweight body lotion delivers a natural-looking, illuminating gradual tan, sans streaks or transfer. Its nourishing formula hydrates and rms while providing an all-over glow in just one hour. Absorbed immediately, this oil/gel hybrid dries in no time so you can dress and go. Tan-Luxe The Gradual, $34 (8.45 oz.). Find on violetgrey.com.

A clean, unisex SPF 30 mineral sunscreen with hyaluronic acid is what you’ll get with this L’Ecran Solaire potion. Non-harmful “non-nano” zinc oxide and highpotassium algae protect against sun damage and premature aging. The Sunscreen L’Écran Solaire, by Nécessaire, $25 (5.oz.). Available on necessaries.com

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CONCIERGE

Kasey Bourk

Kristin Johnson

Kyla Cauthon

Tricia Gill

Blake Nelson

by Liz Schroeder

A Helping Hand

ADVENTHEALTH’S MELISSA FOSTER ON COORDINATED CARE

support—from two weeks to 30 days and beyond. “The number of times we call to check on the patient and the frequency of those calls vary based on the individual patient’s needs,” Foster says.

Social Workers assist with a different set of services. Foster explains, “If the patient doesn’t have insurance or is underinsured, the social worker can provide resources of free health clinics in the patient’s residential area, help navigate through the paperwork needed for applying for disability, etc.” Additional services include “connecting the patient to resources to help with transportation, medication, or financial and housing assistance.”

Diabetic Educators are “highly trained to provide support and education for patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.” Patients supported by Diabetic Educators do not have to be newly diagnosed to receive assistance with “education on the disease, diabetic medications, diabetic diet, and suggested amount and type of exercise.” These clinicians communicate with a patient’s primary care provider to streamline healthcare.

Quality Care Coordinators check for gaps in patient care and quality measures. “They are eager to help patients who are overdue on any preventative screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and annual wellness visits,” Foster explains. These coordinators can be literal lifesavers.

IMPACTS OF CARE COORDINATION

If you’ve been discharged after a hospital stay, it can be bewildering to figure out what to do next. Navigating recommendations, prescriptions, or follow-up care isn’t always easy or intuitive, and many patients struggle to prioritize their healthcare in the face of everyday life’s endless list of responsibilities.

That’s where care coordinators come in. “The care should not end at the time of discharge from our facilities,” says Melissa Foster, RN, BSN, a care coordinator with AdventHealth Medical Group. Seen as a “second set of hands” to the office staff, care coordinators “provide support to patients who have been recently admitted to one of AdventHealth’s hospitals or emergency departments.”

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARE COORDINATORS

There are several clinicians whose job is to help patients after they are discharged from a hospital stay or ER visit. Foster says the following clinicians make up much of AdventHealth’s care coordination team: Transitional Care Management Nurses are likely the most familiar for AdventHealth hospital patients. They call a patient within 48 hours of discharge to “answer any questions they have and educate where necessary,” Foster explains. “They will also make sure the patient has the ability to pick up medications, offer scheduled follow-up visits…and identify any gaps or barriers to care.”

Emergency Department Follow-Up Nurses are similar, except they support patients being discharged specifically from the ER. If additional follow-up feels potentially beneficial to the patient, the nurse will refer him or her to a different set of care managers for longer-term

According to Foster, a care coordinator’s goal is to provide peace of mind and clinical support for the patient in order to prevent readmission to the hospital or ER. After the commotion of a hospital stay subsides, patients are better able to focus on recovery instructions. “We notice that there is opportunity for reeducation that the patient may not have been able to absorb at the time of discharge,” Foster explains. “We can also speak to family members that the patient has given us consent to talk to.”

By developing care plans and consulting with patients, care coordinators set goals with each patient and track their progress. They become a liaison between the patient and the primary care provider. “We help communicate patient needs to their provider’s office,” Foster continues. “And we maintain patient confidentiality and care.”

Patients are identified for Care Coordination services if they have an AdventHealth primary care provider and have been admitted to an AdventHealth facility as an inpatient or visited the ER. Care coordinators also assist patients who are uninsured. “We can provide resources or refer the patient to a social worker for available free health clinics, medication, and financial assistance as needed,” Foster explains. “Most often, patients are pleasantly surprised that we are calling them after discharge and very thankful that we are doing so—and free of charge!”

Care coordinator Melissa Foster.

Party in the U.S.A.

CELEBRATE STYLISHLY THIS JULY 4TH

by Patricia O’Dell

Many families have long-entrenched traditions around celebrating the Fourth of July, but it’s possible that you can shift stylishly without upsetting Aunt Gladys. Why not kick things up a bit this year?

No need for fancy dress, but you could elevate the look of your table even if you’re serving Bomb Pops for dessert. (And who wouldn’t? ey’re perfect.) White plates are my preference, but texture will re ect a casual mood. We use fabric napkins at every meal and World Market linen napkins are a staple at our house. e colors are rich, the hand is lovely, and thanks to their reasonable price, I can throw one away if the puppy claims it as a chew toy when I’m not looking. e indigo colorway suits the holiday and is a great color for every day.

Pottery with an interesting glaze will re ect the candlelight and sparklers, and as it is a celebration, Champagne is certainly in order. (One could—or I could—argue that Champagne is always in order.) Make the most of it and keep the bottle chilled nearby.

1. Elizabeth in Wedgewood tablecloth available in four sizes, $95 – $180, at JSH Home Essentials (Westwood Hills). 2. Rattan charger, $20, available at mere lledesigns.com

3. Cantaria matte white dinner plate, $44, available at Terrasi Living & Scandia Home (Country Club Plaza). 4. Linen napkin, $23.96 for a set of four, available at World Market 5. Pewter napkin rings, $92 for set of two, available at Sharyn Blond Linens (Crestwood). 6. Lionshead ice bucket, $286, available at Terrasi Living & Scandia Home 7. Simon Pearce Nantucket hurricanes available in four sizes, $135 – $350, at Sharyn Blond Linens

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Living Spaces Livens Lenexa

NEW HOME STORE

OFFERS CONVENIENCE, UPDATED STYLE

RECENTLY, I was lamenting needing something for my home. (Who can remember what? ere’s always something.) A friend o ered, “Have you tried the new Living Spaces?” Momentarily confused, I replied, “I don’t need new living spaces, I need . . .” And she lled me in on the new Living Spaces store in Lenexa. Turns out, it’s quite a nd. ey feature products by Magnolia Home and Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, as well as a wide range of styles. You could stylishly update the family room completely before football season. Score! livingspaces.com

At the time of this printing, all products were available at the Lenexa stores.

TASTY TOUCHES.

Provence outdoor sofa, $1,095.

Navy ceramic herringbone pattern vases, $49 set of two.

Everett Ollie boucle accent chair, $895.

Why install cookie-cutter lighting in your new kitchen? Bake up something fresh with Wilson

Blink –Grace Knott

UNIQUE DECOUPAGE PIECES CREATED WITH VINTAGE IMAGES ON MODERN HAND BLOWN GLASS

by Patricia O’Dell

Kansas City native Grace Knott spent more than 20 years of her career in New York City as a stylist. Her list of clients was long and included Ralph Lauren Home, Saks Fifth Avenue, and e Food Network.

When the pandemic struck, the density and sudden isolation of the city made her yearn for space, a yard and, as it turns out, a new career. Knott hung up her props and dug out her scissors and glue and began to decoupage.

e result is a beautiful collection of plates, bell jars, switch-plate covers, and lamps in styles that range from geometric to orals, and a new company—iBlink—that she runs out of her home.

“For me, decoupage is a way to blend the past and present, and to create something that is both timeless and contemporary,” Knott says.

You can nd her creations at iblinkart.com and area retailers.

Geometry bell jar, $425.

Green with Envy switch-plate cover, $55.

Mixed trim plate, $120.

Silk and Ribbons lamp, $1,200.

CITY OF FOUNTAINS

MIDSUMMER IN KANSAS CITY can offer the occasional breezy evening, but let’s face it—it’s hot. Still, longer days lure us outside, but we need a way to take the edge off the heat. While my husband is trying relentlessly to convince me to put a pool in our backyard, I’m thinking a smaller water element may make more sense.

Fountains provide both movement and a delightful, and I think, soothing, noise. Fortunately, they are available in every style and size, so there’s bound to be an option to work in your space.

Van Liew’s Home & Garden on Prospect Avenue carries a large variety of fountains with custom colors, concrete staining, and underwater lighting available. They will deliver and install.

The Ula fountain is crafted by hand from cast-stone concrete with a timeless oblong bowl shape. Just plug it in and enjoy the soothing sounds of cascading water. Available at Pottery Barn, $349 with pebbles, $329 without.

The concrete Cambria X3 fountain includes removable birds. In-stock in verde with additional color patinas available by special order. Find it at Surburban Lawn & Garden, $1,486.

Rhiannon Ally IN CONVERSATION WITH

words by Cindy Hoedel

ABC

news anchor and Kansas City native Rhiannon Ally embodies the modern ideal of a woman who has it all: glamorous job, successful husband, adorable kids, a home in picturesque Park Slope, Brooklyn, and a large following on Instagram. On top of all that, she wrote a children’s book, Mommy, Please Don’t Go to Work! (Ascend Books, 2018) that honestly examines the emotional toll inevitably exacted on women for having it all.

Ally grew up in Kansas City, first in the historic Northeast, where her grandmother still lives, then in Raytown, where her family relocated when she was in third grade. After graduating from Raytown South High School. Ally earned a degree in communications at University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she met her future husband, Mike Marza, now a reporter and weekend anchor for ABC7 in New York.

Before her current job co-anchoring World News Now and America

This Morning, and guest appearances on Good Morning America, Ally was evening news co-anchor at KSHB-TV in Kansas City. Prior to that she anchored at WFOR-TV in Miami. Ally also hosted Better TV, a syndicated Meredith program where she interviewed newsmakers, including Madonna, Denzel Washington, Caroline Kennedy, and Gloria Steinem. She has cooked with celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, and Mario Batalli and appeared in a music video for Matt White’s Falling In Love (With My Best Friend)

IN Kansas City chatted with Ally recently by phone from her car as she was leaving ABC’s Times Square Studio.

What are your connections to Kansas City?

I grew up on the Missouri side and I loved it. We try to get back as

much as we can. Especially because our son, Roman, was born in Miami, but both our girls were born in Kansas City, so they are very aware that they are from Kansas City. It’s still very special to us. My husband is from Kansas City as well. Both our families are still there.

What are your earliest memories of Kansas City?

I remember living in the Northeast area. My grandmother still owns a house there. I remember walking down to some of the restaurants that were by our house, and I remember the neighbors and how close everyone was. That whole side of the family, we all lived in that neighborhood when I was a little girl—all my aunts and uncles and all my cousins. I remember us playing together and going to the neighborhood pool at Budd Park. I remember walking to school at Thacher Elementary [demolished in 2015]. They’re all very good memories.

We moved to Raytown when I was in third grade, which is a really fun age to move to a new area because you definitely are the new kid. Everyone was so welcoming and it’s such a lovely little town. It still is like that, to this day. It was such a great childhood. I remember doing Girl Scouts in Raytown and all the other fun activities. I played softball. A lot of my high school friends are still my best friends.

You have a two-TV-personality household. How did you and your husband, Mike Marza, meet?

We met in college, but we didn’t start dating right away. We had a journalism class together, and once that class was over, we lost touch. Mike graduated a year before I did. He was working as an anchor and reporter in Topeka, and he came back and spoke to our class. We reconnected then and he said, “Why don’t you come to our station in Topeka and shadow me and see if it’s something you’re serious about doing?”

So, I shadowed him and saw what life was like as a reporter. It was kind of amazing. It was right after Pope John Paul passed away, so that was his story for the day. So, we went to a Catholic mass. I remember the faithful were crying, and I remember watching him put this story together. At the end of the day, we ended up going out to dinner, and it

wasn’t really a date, but while we were at dinner, he asked me if I would like to go on a proper date.

On our first proper date we went to Tomfooleries and hopped around the Plaza and just kind of got to know each other. That would have been 2005 and we got married in 2008.

You spent four years in Miami. What were the best and the craziest things about living there?

Oh, Miami was such a wonderful time in our lives! We loved living in Miami. It’s so wild being a kid from the Midwest, and moving somewhere where it’s warm all year round, and you’re at the pool on New Year’s Day, and palm trees are lit up with Christmas lights.

We moved to Miami before we had kids but then we had our son while we were there, so we got to see both sides of Miami. We saw it as young, childless professionals, and then we saw it as parents. It’s a lovely place that doesn’t get enough credit as being very family friendly. There’s so much to do for kids.

I love Miami, and people in Kansas City have a wrong idea of what it’s like.

They really do. I think if you only visit for a week or a weekend you get this idea that—I mean, New York is a little bit the same way. People who have never lived here have this idea of what it is like, and there is this whole other side of it. It’s so much more than what you see on TV

or in movies, and I think Miami is like that as well. I think people see it as kind of a party town and it can be that. It also can be just a really fun, family friendly place.

Now you live in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with three little kids. What’s that like?

[Laughs] Listen, raising kids in New York City is so hard and so wonderful at the same time. There are so many things about it that are difficult. It’s getting easier now that we’ve been here a while, and the kids are getting a little bit older.

When we first moved here our youngest was only eight months old, so I remember those early days having to carry the stroller up and down the subway stairs because a lot of the stations don’t have elevators. And I remember having to teach the kids how to walk everywhere, coming from Overland Park, where you drove everywhere. It’s funny to look back. We lived right by Roe Park. It was a beautiful park with a big playground just three blocks from our home, and we never walked there, not one time. So, getting the kids used to walking was really tricky. There are days when we’ll walk three or four miles. Now they’re used to it because it’s just part of their life. It’s amazing what kids can adapt to.

There are parts that are very difficult. Obviously, it’s very expensive and even kids’ activities are very expensive. But there’s so much culture and so many museums and just seeing so many different types of people. It’s really been lovely to see them embrace the city—even the hard parts.

It is hard to be away from our family. Both our families are still in Kansas City. My mom tries to come out as often as she can, and we try to get back, and Mike’s family as well. But it’s hard. There are days where [the kids] will have a recital or a grandparents’ day at school, and it’s hard to have them so far away.

How were you able to make the jump every local anchor dreams of, from local affiliate to network?

I really think I got my foundation from the first internship I did at KMBC in Kansas City. I had to do everything. I actually ran the teleprompter for Donna Pitman, who is the anchor now. I went on stories with her. I got coffee for them. I did whatever they needed me to do. I really learned the basics of journalism there.

When we came to New York, I had all this experience, but we had three kids under 5 years old. Mike had gotten a job with the local ABC affiliate in New York, and we had decided I was going to take a little time off just to get everyone settled. That was a hard decision because our business does not reward taking time off. It’s not a business where you can push the pause button and get right back into it. So, I was very nervous, and Mike was so supportive, and my agent was so supportive. My mom and everyone said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be able to get back into it.”

Then Covid happened and no one was hiring, and the kids were home all day every day anyway. So, I ended up taking about a two-year break. At that point, even though I had 13 years of experience, I didn’t know if anyone would hire me. It was really scary.

At that moment my agent reached back out to ABC. I had met with them years ago, in 2017, and one of the people in the talent department remembered meeting with me and she said, “Have her come in.” So, I

Ally’s 2018 children’s book, Mommy Please Don’t Go to Work!

met with her, and she said, “Why don’t you start freelancing for us?” I said, “Absolutely. Just get me in the door and I will run with it. I will show everyone what I can do.” That was a year and a half ago. I started freelancing and within six months they offered me a full-time contract. The key was getting in the door and pushing.

I’m so thankful for everything I’ve been able to do, from being on GMA, GMA3, Nightline and working with these amazing people every day. To work with these people I grew up watching—Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos—I pinch myself every day.

When you talk to Robin and George and the others on air, there seems to be genuine affection and respect that isn’t always present with broadcast teams. I wish people could see even more of what goes on behind the scenes, because the people you see on the screen—Robin, George, Michael Strahan—are who those people are in real life. They are so authentic, and that is all I’ve ever strived to do in my career, is to be myself. I feel very much that the viewer at home can see through any type of phoniness, people feel that. It can be hard to be yourself, because sometimes you want to present yourself differently, or you want to keep something from the viewer, but I think being your authentic self is best, always.

The title of your children’s book, Mommy, Please Don’t Go to Work! is a stab to the heart of any working mother. I know.

What made you write the book?

When we were in Kansas City I switched—in Miami I was the morning anchor and in Kansas City Mike and I were the evening anchors together at Channel 41, so we were both gone every night. My youngest daughter wasn’t born yet and my middle daughter, when she was born, I was already doing nights, so she was used to it, but it was a very hard change for my son. I would try to come home for dinner most nights between shows, and when I was leaving, he would beg me every night, “Mommy, please don’t go to work.” It just broke my heart. I thought, “I can’t be the only mom going through this.” Tons of moms deal with this guilt. Society makes us feel so guilty for wanting these careers when we have kids.

It’s very raw. Kids never say, “Daddy, please don’t go to work.” That’s true. They don’t. I don’t know why that is. My husband is just as hands-on [with the kids] as I am. I have to go out of town for work sometimes, and he can handle it all without me. But the kids don’t tend to cry as much when it’s him going off to work.

I think dads are better at dealing with the pressures. I don’t think dads feel the same guilt, I don’t think they internalize it like moms do. I think most dads in general are able to compartmentalize. They can realistically say to themselves, “I have to go to work.”

It used to make me laugh how if my husband brought a tray

of cookies to school, he was a hero, the other moms fawned over him. I think working dads generally feel they are doing a great job. Whereas working moms always feel like they are failing to live up to expectations.

Absolutely. I wanted to write a love letter to moms.

Would you like to write another book, or do you feel like this was an isolated project you needed to put into the world? I would love to write another children’s book. I would love to write a novel. Writing is one of my favorite things to do, at my core. It’s something I enjoy so much. I think children’s books are so vital, and adults need books, too. I’m an avid reader. I read at least two or three books a month. I enjoy beautiful writing. I’m trying to find the idea that really inspires me so that I can just run with it. I wrote that book while I was working full-time at Channel 41, while I was pregnant and had two little kids, but I was so passionate about it, I found the time to do it. I’m just waiting for that type of inspiration to hit me again. I got so much great feedback after the first book. It’s a joy to write a book that inspires other people. Interview

Michael Strahan, Rhiannon Ally, Robin Roberts on the set of Good Morning America.

Innovators and Influencers

MEET 12 PEOPLE WHO “FOUND THEIR WHY” AND ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

From left to right: Lindsey Rood-Cli ord, David Manica, Erin Jenkins, Camry Ivory (seated), Clarissa Knighten (wearing a leather cape by Red Wall), Daniel Smith (seated on oor), Charon Thompson (seated in chair), Alan Carr, Jamila Weaver, Dr. Michael Weaver. Not pictured: Shane W. Evans, Mike Talamantes.

WORDS BY Katie Van Luchene PHOTOS BY Jim Barcus

With pinch-me moments and gratitude, this year’s roster of extraordinary men and women feel lucky they get to ll their days with passion and purpose.

Our diverse group shares one common trait: the desire to create, whether it’s something tangible, or something as ethereal as hope.

You may recognize their contributions to Kansas City if you’ve had a cocktail at e Monarch; purchased a piece of R.A.D. jewelry; picked up a novel at Bliss, Books and Wine; read Chocolate Me! to a child, savored a birria taco in Kansas City, Kansas; or sung along to e Doobie Brothers at Starlight.

Others mold future business champions and healthcare leaders with a focus on encouraging talent to remain in or return to Kansas City.

It’s our honor to introduce you to our third year of IN Kansas City magazine’s Innovators and In uencers.

FURNITURE PROVIDED BY Museo

SHANE W. EVANS

When Shane Evans woke up one morning in 2020 to find that his book, We March, was on a list of banned books, it didn’t faze him. He wasn’t even sure what that meant. How could some list keep a book from getting into the hands of a reader?

But when the list of shunned literature began to get media attention in March 2023, Evans reflected on how his book, depicting two Black children attending the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom with their parents, could be seen as troubling. Published in 2012, Evans used beautiful illustrations and simple, short sentences that wouldn’t overwhelm the readers. Within the crowd, Evans included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and people of all colors. The civil rights movement it depicts was one of harmony and hope.

The book was highly acclaimed. The educational site Teaching Books praised We March for children aged 5 to 9, and it was featured in the Netflix Bookmarks series. Storytellers read the book out loud on YouTube channels. Hundreds of adults shared the pages with children at bedtime. Big kids read it to younger siblings.

If the banning was meant to silence authors, it did just the opposite for Evans. He launched a crowd-funding campaign to get the book distributed. Backers received books, prints of the artwork, and opportunities to buy a book and give one to others. With a goal of raising $1,111, the funding was capped at just over $7,000 with 119 people participating. Evans is in the process of sending books out to sponsors and delivering them to libraries, schools, community centers, and the random person walking down the street.

The support continues. “The publisher’s CEO got fully behind the funding project, and we’ll be able to give out over 700 books,” Evans says. He’ll partner with KidZone, a before-school program for children in Kansas City, Kansas, public schools.

We March shares the banned list with Mixed Me, a book about a biracial boy written by Evans’s friend, actor Taye Diggs, and illustrated by Evans. Their first collaboration was Chocolate Me! about a boy teased for the color of his skin and texture of his hair. His wise mother convinces him he’s sweet and delicious, just like chocolate.

“Chocolate Me! is for anyone who has ever felt different or who has wished to be someone else,” Evans says. “It’s really a love story about all of us. No matter what ‘flavor’ you are, we all need a little boost now and then.” The artwork is joyful and compelling, the words are fun to read but with a powerful, uplifting message.

Evans has also illustrated other children’s books including My Brother Charlie, co-written by actress Holly Robinson Peete about her son who has autism and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Charles Smith.

Working out of his midtown Dream Studio art space (dreamstudio777.com) where he engages all his talents as an author, illustrator, artist, songwriter and musician, Evans is busy working on the next project. Himself. After publishing two more books with Diggs, My Friend! and I Love You More Than…, he says, “I needed time to reflect, pull back and do some work on me.”

He committed to drawing and writing each day for a year with the theme, No Complaints. “The process taught me two lessons,” he says. “The first was how many complaints I heard every day. And the second was how grateful I am for all the blessings in my life.” The 365 days of art and words will be the basis for one of three long-form books. “I have 700 pages written and illustrated, and they’ve already raised some eyebrows.”

The other two books relate to a musical he’s been working on called mm2000. “It’s been a long time in the making,” he says, “but I know it will happen.”

MIKE TALAMANTES

Mike Talamantes still remembers the first time he saw Park University while interviewing for the job of volleyball coach in 2011. “I was blown away by the beauty of the campus and the fact it overlooked this great downtown,” he recalls. “And I was coming from LA with its picturesque palm trees.”

It wasn’t just Parkville’s picturesque setting that convinced Talamantes to take the job. He was excited about the prospect of continuing the legacy of the men’s volleyball team and building a new tradition for the women’s side. And Park is known for being a magnet for international students, which appealed to him. “We’re able to recruit some of the world’s best players from Serbia, Ghana, and other countries.”

He points to Nada Meawad from Egypt, a player he recruited in 2017 with a full scholarship. She’d been one of the first African teams to take part in the FIVB beach volleyball league and played in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She continued her path to glory at Park. “We just clicked,” he says. “I asked her what she needed from me as a coach, and she became the most decorated player we’ve had.” Meawad ap-

peared on the 2021 NAIA Women’s Volleyball All-American list for an unprecedented fifth time. Student athletes were granted an extra year to play due to Covid.

Her highlight reels demonstrate deadly spikes and surgical precision with her serves and returns. “She always left it all on the court,” he says. “Win or lose, that’s all I expect of my players.”

Talamantes learned that lesson from his late father, who was his coach in high school, then his mentor when he became the elder’s assistant coach. “I remember being so frustrated after losing a championship game, but my dad came out of the locker room and took me aside. “‘The players weren’t upset,’ he said. ‘They’d just given us everything they had.’”

“My dad had patience, and taught me that as a coach, we also have to do the best we can. We learn. We recruit better. That was 1998, and I still remember that conversation.”

Talamantes got the patience lesson. While other coaches can be seen screaming from the sidelines, he’s described as calm and composed. “My time is in practice,” he says, “to get them ready for the match. Then it’s their time out there. If you’re calm, you can see more of the game so we can all improve during the match and afterwards when we review what went right and what we can improve on.”

After demonstrating his coaching chops for indoor volleyball with multiple coach of the year awards from the NAIA, Southern Conference, and AVCA, he brought up the idea of adding beach volleyball to Park’s sports. “My athletic director thought I was nuts and said, ‘You know we’re in the Midwest, right? There’s no sandy beach to practice on.’”

“But being from California, I love beach volleyball and I convinced Park to let me try.” That was six years ago, and the results have been impressive despite the lack of deep-sand beaches like competitors have in Florida and fewer months to practice. “But we love a good challenge,” Talamantes says. “And as long as the players give me everything they’ve got, I’m good with that.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

help them from where they coming to where they want to go. “House” represents family. And “KC” reflects not just the company’s location but the cofounders’ desire to keep entrepreneurial talent in their hometown where it can help build stronger communities.

That’s the basis for what they call their scale-deep model. “A lot of resources are going into tech ventures, which tend to scale up and leave town. Instead, we want to invest deeper into the Kansas City community.” The Scale Deep Grant, with the support of JPMorgan Chase, provides a total of $30,000 dispersed to three small business owners in Kansas City to help with equipment costs, rental assistance, and general system needs.

How the partnership with JPMorgan Chase came about is an example of a skill that’s integral to any small business: having a strong sales pitch ready to go at any time. Several years ago, Smith and Thompson had a chance encounter with members of the financial services firm. Then, nothing. “Fast forward to 2021,” Smith says, “and after quietly following what we were doing, JPMorgan came to us with an opportunity to support the underrepresented community in Kansas City.” The financial firm recently sponsored Pitch Night where three companies were awarded a total of $15,000.

There’s a saying that it’s lonely at the top.

But Daniel Smith and Charon Thompson, who launched The Porter House KC (theporterhousekc.com) to support budding entrepreneurs, contend it’s lonely at the bottom, too.

“Understanding and dealing with the emotional side of starting a business is often overlooked,” says Smith. “When we started, we were all about hard skills. But soft skills are just as, if not more important. Some of the individuals we help have been through trauma or neglect growing up. We have to initially break them down to get to the root of their insecurities and fear before we build them up.”

Smith and Thompson know the struggles of starting a business; the two met briefly at Linwood’s YMCA, then again at University of Missouri-Kansas City when they pledged the same fraternity. To make money, they started cleaning apartments and worked hard but not necessarily smart. “We didn’t know the first thing about LLCs or finding resources,” says Thompson. “We had to do the research ourselves and now we impart what we learned to help others.”

Smith explains The Porter House KC’s name. “Porter” comes from the person who met people at a train station to

Another valuable partnership, this time with UMB Bank, supports the PHKC Alchemy Sandbox, which provides funding, mentoring, and creating connections to help young businesses grow and sustain. Twenty businesses are granted up to $5,000 each.

Smith and Thompson are proud of every success their budding businesses achieve. One is Bliss, Books and Wine, launched by two sisters who attended the 15-week Small Business Development Program that centers on marketing and development. The pair also received grant money, which helped them create an inviting bookstore that hosts regular author events and book clubs. Porter House will have its own retail space later this summer to help entrepreneurs get in front of consumers.

With a six-year anniversary approaching, Smith and Thompson are quick to acknowledge the individuals and organizations that believed in their mission, including the Kauffman Foundation, Helzberg’s HEMP program, the Heartland Black Chamber, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, which provides discounted membership rates for alumni. Thompson adds a special thanks to Ron Farmer and Coley Williams, founders of CHES, Inc., a financial empowerment organization, who provided space for their speaker series.

DANIEL SMITH AND CHARON THOMPSON

ARTS

LINDSEY ROOD-CLIFFORD

When Lindsey Rood-Clifford was little, she was introduced to performing arts when her family attended musicals at Starlight Theatre (kcstarlight.com). She was hooked. Years later, she used her vocal talents to participate in the theater’s newly formed Blue Star Awards program for high school students.

“I graduated from KU with full intentions to leave Kansas City and move to New York and work in the entertainment field,” she says. She received two offers at the same time; one at what was then the William Morris Agency and the other as a paid intern at Starlight’s Bob Rolf Internship Program. “I weighed the two opportunities,” she recalled. “I could start in the mail department in New York or learn event management in a theater and city I loved. It was the best decision I ever made.”

She excelled as an intern, became a full-time employee and 16 years later is the theater’s first female president and CEO. She’d proven herself in her previous role as vice president of philanthropy where she grew Starlight’s philanthropic revenue by more than 50 percent and launched its first multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign in almost 20 years.

“The great thing about Starlight is that as an arts organi-

zation, ticket sales almost fully support the performance costs. But the leadership team realized that to reach our goals of making the theater accessible for all residents and improve the guest experience, we needed to bring in additional funds.” That major campaign will conclude in 2025.

Fundraising events, including Starry Night at Starlight on July 22, help support the internship program. Meanwhile, organizations including CommunityAmerica Credit Union and Blue Cross and Blue Shield help fund the Blue Star Awards that were so important to Rood-Clifford.

The Starlight Stars of Tomorrow is another opportunity for students to build a foundation of performance skills. Geared toward middle schools, selected students learn the theater process from auditions to performing and are eligible to audition for Starlight productions. And the Vincent Legacy Scholarship awards $2,500 prizes to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color youth in grades six through eight.

Along with student opportunities, Rood-Clifford is proud of Starlight’s expanded “dinner and a show” experience. “People can enjoy food and drinks at our casual concession stands or a more upscale dinner at the Applause Club,” she says. She’s partial to the barbecue buffet; when the chef is smoking meats all day, the aroma is impossible to ignore.

One more point of pride is the emotional aspect Starlight offers. “There’s something about being in the audience at this beautiful outdoor venue, surrounded by other people who love live performances,” she says. “It’s just magical.”

DAVID MANICA

The Monarch Bar on the Plaza reflects its designer: sophisticated with impeccable styling that would feel at home in any major city around the world. The chic, alfresco lounge at the entrance sets the mood. Indoors, plush velvet seating surrounds a massive marble bar placed in the center of the room rather than against the wall (better to see and be seen). More than 1,000 acrylic butterflies, crafted by KC Art Institute students, adorn a chandelier overhead. Clear, giant ice cubes chill the drinks rather than dilute them, and inventive, Instagram-worthy cocktails are served in distinctive barware. Patrons who prefer a more intimate space can make reservations in The Parlour, a sexy room with dark drapes, leather seating, and candlelight.

There’s even a signature scent of bergamot, musk, and citrus. Will guests notice every exquisite detail? “Some may not pick up on every nuance,” says David Manica, who co-owns the bar with his wife, Noelle, “but they’ll remember how special the place made them feel.” His mastery of experiential design is reflected in their other two bars, Verdigris in Leawood and The Mercury Room on the 14th floor of the Reverb building in the Crossroads. Manica provides a verbal sneak peek (you heard it here first!) of his latest cocktail lounge scheduled to open this fall. Bar Medici will be on the street level of the

Reverb, providing an elegant spot for a cocktail and small bites while also serving as overflow when the upstairs bar is full.

While the glamorous bars are Manica’s claim to fame in Kansas City, he jokingly calls them his side hustle. It’s MANICA Architecture (manica.global) that catapulted him to rock-star status as a designer of sports arena and stadium projects around the world. He left HOK Sports (now Populous) after 13 years with no clients and no staff, just a new computer on his dining room table. Noelle had just given birth to their first child but her confidence in his talent was the encouragement he needed.

It was the right move. Since taking that professional risk in 2007, Manica and his team have designed some of the most recognized and innovative facilities in the world, including the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium, The Chase Center NBA Arena in San Francisco, VTB Arena Park in Moscow, and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, totaling nearly $15 billion in construction costs. “And we have some truly amazing projects on the boards right now,” he says, “including The Tennessee Titans in Nashville, the Guardians Ballpark Reimagined in Cleveland, the new Inter Miami MLS Soccer stadium in Miami.”

Each will reflect a sense of place and unmatched visitor experience. “Sophistication, class, and drama are all words that I keep in mind when I’m designing a space,” Manica says. “There’s just so much mediocrity out there that it just doesn’t make sense to not try and do something special when given the chance.”

CAMRY IVORY MUSIC

‘‘I’ve always been a curious nerd,” Camry Ivory says. That trait led her to combine her talents in singing, songwriting, dance, art, and technology to invent Coloratura (coloratura-art.com), an instrument that lets her paint with music.

Standing in front of an easel, Ivory applies color to a glass, metal, or silk canvas using 12 paint brushes connected to a circuit board by long wires. Each brush is assigned a note in the musical scale and each stroke or dab creates a note on a computer. And, nerd alert, production software loops in multiple musical phrases on top of each other to create additional effects. The result is a new music piece and an original painting.

She gave her first Coloratura performance in July 2015 at Oppenstein Park, as part of Downtown Kansas City’s Art in the Loop program. “I thought it would be a one-time event,” she says, “but the feedback was so positive, I decided to keep tinkering with the process.”

She learned about grant money from ArtsKC but hesitated about applying. “It can be intimidating because there’s so much talent in Kansas City with the Conservatory and Art Institute. I didn’t go to art school, so how audacious, how bold to think I could win.”

Ivory credits the late Paul Tyler with helping her receive a $2,500 grant. “He believed in my project and gave me tips and constant encouragement.” Her story should convince other creators to reach out for help whether financially, having a sounding board, or just a soft place to land during struggles.

Since introducing Coloratura in 2015, Ivory has appeared at the St. Louis Murmuration Festival, the International Folk Alliance Festival, ArtsKC events, and the Kansas City Maker Faire, where she received “Best in Show” recognition. This June was particularly busy with workshops, the Worldwide Make Music Day, and Kansas City Developers Conference’s Kids’ Tech Day.

In fact, kids are often the first to pick up a paintbrush when Ivory takes Coloratura on the road. “I think it’s because kids have lower inhibitions and aren’t scared of what others will think. They just want to play.

“And one or two have used the brushes in innovative ways I hadn’t thought of.” One of the most humbling moments came when a young girl looked up from her painting to tell Ivory, “This helps with my anxiety.” And during a recent collaboration with The Harmony Project, serving K-5 schools, a teacher commented he’d never seen the kids so focused or engaged.

The inventor is looking for other therapy programs through museums, schools, community centers, and workshops. She’s planning a collaboration with the Kansas State School of the Blind, adding textures to the paints so students can feel their work.

And she’s taking it to the next level with an all-battery powered set-up. “I want to remove as many wires as possible to bring in more wonder and magic,” she says. “I’ve also created ways for multiple people to paint at the same time. With this new version, each set of brushes plays another instrument; drums, tuba, violin.”

Ivory will appear with her wonder and magic at an interactive workshop at Johnson County Library–Central Branch on July 29 and perform solo at the Black Box Theatre on August 1.

FOOD BEVERAGE W

hen Alan Carr became executive director of Visit Kansas City, Kansas (visitkansascityks.com) in late 2019, he knew his top job was to bring this underappreciated city to the forefront and celebrate its many vibrant cultures. What better way to do that than through food. And what better food than tacos?

With almost 60 locally owned restaurants and grocery stores serving the savory handful as well as stand-alone taquerias, Carr and his team conceived the Taco Trail, complete with an online passport where consumers can sign up electronically, view the locations via their phone’s texts or email, check in, and win prizes. The first year’s success amazed even the visitor center team. “We had almost 20,000 check-ins,” Carr says, “and 90 people visited every location.”

Taco Trail 2.0, which launched just before this year’s Cinco de Mayo, may surpass its predecessor. Once a taco fanatic accesses the free passport at kcktacotrail.com, 61 options are on view, along with a description, map, and link to their website if available.

Check-in points can be redeemed for T-Shirts, tortilla warmers, decals, and more. Those who complete the trail by April 15, 2024 are in line for—well, the whole enchilada, in-

cluding a Taco Party hosted by Visit Kansas City, Kansas, and they will be entered to win the Ultimate Taco Experience.

The Taco Trail has gotten plenty of attention, including a glowing article on forbes.com calling Kansas City, Kansas, the “official taco capital of the nation.” And Carr expects more media attention; his team just hosted the Midwest Travel Network, whose membership includes writers, bloggers, and influencers from 20 states. “We were hoping to get 90 attendees, but 130 registered,” he says. Must be the aroma of long-simmering pork that brought them in.

The conference has already paid off with mentions on social media including one tweet with a pro tip when following the Taco Trail: “…put on your hiking shoes, or better yet, your stretchy pants and set off on a delicious journey.” The post was accompanied by photos of tasty tacos.

While the thought of chowing down on adobado, al pastor, barbacoa, carnitas, and birria tacos is clearly bringing attention to the “other Kansas City,” Carr says the impetus for the program had less to do with tacos and more about shining the light on the cultural diversity of the eastern side of the region. “A lot of people are aware of the area surrounding the racetrack, Sporting KC’s Children’s Mercy Park and the entertainment district. We wanted to showcase the downtown, midtown, and south regions.

“A way to do that is to tell great stories that differentiate us. We are truly a melting pot of cultures and histories with a population made up of Latinas, Blacks, Indigenous groups, and Eastern immigrants.” That rich cultural diversity will be at the forefront of another online map Carr’s team is working on, the KCK Heritage Trail.

ALAN CARR and

FASHION

en couldn’t afford footwear. The audience didn’t care; their eyes were focused on colorful, undulating necklaces woven of pearls and buttons. She sold every design that night and created a new group of enthusiastic collectors, many of whom own multiple pieces.

For that first show, Knighten took a page from her marketing background and created a collection that would appeal to a large audience: simple yet elegant and suitable for dressy or casual outfits.

More dramatic pieces would come later when she was paired with Birdie’s for the West 18th Street Fashion Show in the summer of 2019. “Peregrine (Honig, Birdie’s co-owner who founded the runway show) pushed me to take my expression further,” she says. The result was an over-the-top collection; organic elements like tree branches turned the models into woodland creatures.

And while several people in the audience purchased their favorites, one woman made an acquisition that would elevate Knighten to the next level in her career.

CLARISSA KNIGHTEN

With her dazzling smile and distinctive jewelry line that has a cult following, strangers would never guess that Clarissa Knighten deals with clinical depression. Yet she willingly shares her story to help others struggling with mental health issues. “I say openly that I am a Black woman who left corporate America and used art as therapy,” she says; a role model of someone who sought help and won. What began as drawings turned into jewelry making, by twisting thin wire around and through elements such as buttons to fashion intricate necklaces. They became gifts for friends and family members.

But turn her hobby into a money-making enterprise? “That never occurred to me,” she recalls, “until a guy in an elevator complimented my necklace and offered to buy it right then and there for his wife. He bought the matching earrings, too.” It gave her the confidence to launch R.A.D, which stands for Rissa’s Artistic Design, in 2007 (rissasartisticdesign.com).

In 2017, Susan Miller at the Gown Gallery encouraged Knighten to apply to Kansas City Fashion Week. Two months later she lost her job, allowing her to work full-time on her craft. Models who walked the runway in the 2018 spring show were barefoot, not to set a mood but because Knight-

“I got a text from Anna Marie Tutera, a woman who was at the show and was intrigued by my use of tree branches. Turns out she was the executive director of the Kansas City Museum. We met the next week and over smoothies she asked, ‘How would you like to create a large installation at the Kansas City Museum?’”

At the museum, which was concluding a major renovation, Tutera pointed to the second-floor ceiling where Knighten’s art would become a permanent installation. The designer remembers saying those words over and over in her head. Permanent. Installation. Healing at the Roots was on display when the museum reopened in October of 2021.

As Knighten wove together her intricate panel of twigs and branches, she was invited to be part of “Testimony: African American Artists Collective,” the first exhibition of its kind to include only living Black and African American artists.

Along with her expanding exposure, Clarissa is grateful to be the first Black woman to have studio space at the InterUrban Art House. “It’s my community, my support,” she says. “I get such energy from the other creatives here.” And when other artists are dealing with anxiety or self-doubt, Clarissa shares her story of reinventing herself through design.

While she begins to envision her next Kansas City Fashion Week collection, which will feature museum-quality pieces, she continues to create and sell her jewelry at her studio and through her website; at Swanky, a Midtown showroom; and at the Kemper Museum of Art’s gift shop.

HEALTHCARE

The third grader holds up a sign, “I want to be a neurosurgeon!” while posing for a photo with his new hero, a medical student. Aside from their big smiles, the two share another commonality: they’re both Black.

With the mantra, “If you can see it, you can be it,” Michael Weaver, a retired physician, and his wife, Jamila Weaver, are inspiring students within the Black and Brown communities to envision careers in healthcare through their nonprofit, Mission Vision Project (mvpkc.org).

While the visit to Brookside Charter School created some pretty cute selfies, it’s just one of the ways the organization is reaching out to recruit and support minority students, with the ultimate goal of having future leaders in the medical field remain in the Kansas City area.

It’s a continuum of Michael’s legacy of mentoring Black medical students through his career in the St. Luke’s Health System; he retired in 2021. These ad hoc meetings started at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, then University of Kansas and Kansas City University schools of medicine, until

he envisioned a more structured way to bring minority students together with practicing physicians of color.

That idea became the first Critical Mass Gathering, held 18 years ago. The annual events have expanded to include deans and diversity officers, community organizations, and philanthropists. Students who attend come away with a sense of belonging to a vast network of people who look like them and have lived through the often-difficult journey of obtaining a medical degree as a person of color. These events go beyond just networking; students attend sessions on professional development and financial literacy.

It’s not just the financial aspect that can be a barrier to attending medical school, explains Jamila. It’s the lack of what she calls “social capital—having a family member or close family friend who is a doctor and can help them navigate the road ahead.”

Neither of them had that support as young students. Growing up in Kansas City, Jamila says she never thought she could have a career in the healthcare field. She followed her own path and became a nurse, then a facilitator for diversity, equity, and inclusion training at St. Luke’s Health System.

The couple founded Mission Vision Project KC two years ago to offer support beyond the annual gathering. Through donations, it helps pay for students’ board test preparations and connects high school students with near peer mentors. Pilot sites are Lincoln Prep and Sumner Academy.

Meanwhile, nursing students are introduced to recruiters from Kansas City. At kindergarten through eighth grade, medical students let students try on little white coats and stethoscopes to encourage dreams about a life in healthcare. Programs for early childhood include health and wellness activities and resource materials for teachers and parents.

Michael is encouraged by Kansas City organizations that are stepping up to address the lack of diversity in the physician workforce. He points to the Government Employees Health Association, Inc., (GEHA) Barbara Sheffield Medical Scholarship Fund, created in 2021 to provide full-tuition scholarships for Black and African American students. Eight 20202021 scholars will continue their educational journey at KU School of Medicine. Three new scholarship recipients began medical school in July 2022.

“When these men and women graduate, they’ll already have a strong network of other people of color within the medical field. These bonds will, hopefully, encourage them to stay in Kansas City. Our goal is to create a healthier community for everyone,” Michael says.

DR. MICHAEL WEAVER AND JAMILA WEAVER

NONPROFITS

for 12 years, including time abroad. It was hard not to have that network, that sense of community like we have here in the Midwest. Kansas City has a spirit of collaboration and a keen sense of how important philanthropy is to our culture. I’m not sure other cities our size can offer the same values.”

ERIN JENKINS

The mission of the Young Entrepreneur Program, or YEP (yeprogram.org), is simple. Pair talented, eager-to-learn high-school students with some of the city’s most forward-thinking companies, then encourage them to remain in or return to Kansas City once they graduate college. Erin Jenkins, the first executive director at YEP, had been at the Kauffman Foundation for six years, first in teaching international education, then transitioning to developing entrepreneurs. For her, YEP was the right fit at the right time.

There’s a saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. YEP develops both areas of that adage. The “what you know” comes from real-life experiences as interns are treated like paid employees during two summer sessions. These young men and women spend days interacting with local business leaders to explore their individual interests and unlock their potential.

As for the “who you know” element, the interns gain a robust network of other alumni as well as contacts within the companies that engaged them. “And that’s part of the beauty of what we do at YEP,” Jenkins says. “We create a sense of belonging from the start, so wherever they go for their higher education, they feel welcome to return to Kansas City.”

She knows the feeling. “After school, I left Kansas City

YEP has 15 interns currently, each rotating through startups that buy into the program wholeheartedly. “We partner with companies that value interns. Not only are they tasked with giving these students true opportunities to learn and contribute, but they pay them $10 an hour for 40-hour weeks.” Interns also receive a $2,500 scholarship after completing the program.

Jenkins has been impressed with the caliber of students selected to be part of YEP. “They are so poised during the interview process, which is rigorous. They’ve done their homework regarding the companies on our roster. And they already have natural instincts about the relationship-building process. We just add gasoline to that fire.”

She also says they are masters at networking, working their LinkedIn profiles like seasoned pros. One example is Dacia Hindsman, a 2021 YEP intern. Her LinkedIn banner is “A heart for business” and she has 500+ connections. Along with her studies and an impressive history of entrepreneurship that began with a lawn-care service at age 12, Hindsman displays testimonials from four business leaders she interned with. They are all glowing. Telea Stafford Jackson, the president and brand strategy director at Phenixx Marketing complimented Hindsman for her creativity and commitment and added that she would be welcome to join the team at any time.

Jenkins expects interns to gain valuable experience and connections with the current list of business partners including C2FO; TreviPay; Bunjii; Pipeline Entrepreneurs Fellowship Program; Dimensional Innovations; Super Dispatch; FSC, Inc; Daupler; and Ronawk. “Their time with these companies is exciting and challenging and life changing,” she says. “We’re just proud to be part of their journey.”

GROWNUP

13 LOCAL SPOTS TO ENJOY GAMES, GRUB, AND A GLASS OF YOUR FAVORITE SPIRIT

WORDS BY Jenny Vergara

Isent my bright, funny, and kind-hearted son, #Tastie, (not his real name), o to college in the fall of 2020. With no one having any idea what the school year would be like during the pandemic, and with instructions from the university not to visit the campus or ask him to come home until the holiday break, all I could do was call him, trying to ascertain if he was eating enough, making friends, and logging into Zoom for class.

When he came home at break, he was a shadow of the kid I had dropped o in August. He was sleeping all day long to stay up all night to play video games with his high school friends online. Quiet, sad, skinny, and struggling, he hated his dorm room, calling it a prison, and hated taking classes over Zoom even more. Gaming with his friends became his only joy. It was a lifeline, a point of connection and an escape for him.

Knowing he loved playing games, I came up with a plan for the following semester. I started driving up every Friday night and taking my son for dinner at RPG (short for Restaurant, Pub & Games) right on Mass Street in Lawrence.

Proving himself to be a fearless risk-taker and devious strategy maker, #Tastie found comfort (and con dence) by playing board games with me over dinner and drinks at RPG. If school seemed hard, games came easy. Seeing him smile during our “game time” always felt like a win, even though I usually lost to him. Slowly, but surely, he found his way back, adjusting to college life as we moved through the pandemic, eventually moving o campus and into a house with the same friends he used to play online.

Today, I am the one addicted to games. ere was a time I did not consider myself a “gamer,” but now I really love it. Board games, cards, dice, or dominos, I love them all. I research and buy new (and old-school) games, so excited to play them with my son when he comes to visit. I am also thankful for a game-loving partner who comes from a long line of ruthless middle Missouri “Pitch” players. He is always down to join in the fun, and three players makes for a much more interesting match.

As someone who is naturally competitive, playing games has stretched my brain in new and interesting ways. It has made me faster at thinking on my feet and improved my ability to think strategically. A wonderful and unexpected perk of me just trying to help my son adjust to his new environment.

We have started expanding our “game nights” to include places that provide a more physical gaming experience. Some of them required slightly more athletic ability or eye-hand coordination, which I have found often levels the playing eld slightly in my favor. We love these types of “enter-game-ment” places that may also serve a good burger, slice of pizza, or a tray of nachos along with an ice-cold beer, wine, or cocktails as it gives us a chance to let o some steam.

Here I share some of my favorite local gaming experiences. We like locally owned places where one can play a game and enjoy both food and alcoholic drinks, especially now that my son has turned 21. (How is that possible?) So, be sure to check the websites of these establishments for any age requirements or restrictions before heading out if you have littles, as some of these places do not allow children inside.

Enjoy your summer, friends, and don’t forget to get outside and play.

LUDO’S SHUFFLEBOARD

e folks behind Made in KC have now opened two Ludo’s Shu eboard locations, o ering indoor and on-the- oor shu eboard courts that are rst come, rst serve. No reservations needed! With fun, fruity cocktails like the Blueberry Mule, a few choice wines, and bar snacks like Guy’s potato chips, it is the perfect place to grab a group for some sips, snacks, and shu eboard. ludosshu eboard.com

SOLID STATE PINBALL SUPPLY

Located in an old Wonder Bread factory on Troost, Solid State Pinball Supply buys and repairs old pinball machines to x them up and put in their two arcades for you to play. With two oors of vintage, coin-operated pinball machines and e Combine pizza, deli, and taps all located inside the beautifully rehabbed and renamed e Wonder Shops and Flats building, you could become the next pinball wizard just in time for dinner and a drink. solidstatekc.com

GLADSTONE BOWL

e food-lovers and Northland bowlers alike in Kansas City kept the fantastic cheeseburgers from Smitty’s Diner, located inside of Gladstone Bowl, a secret for many years, but once word got out there was no putting the genie back in the bottle. e bowling alley opened in 1958 and has been widely recognized as a top spot to bowl. In 1991, they added Smitty’s, serving a variety of sandwiches, tacos, and their famous cheeseburger, along with ice-cold beer. gladstonebowl.net

SERV

Rachel Kennedy’s new two-acre indoor/outdoor entertainment complex near 95th and Metcalf in Overland Park combines eight pickleball courts (six inside and two outside) with six original food concepts located in containers sprinkled across the outdoor patio. e food containers are surrounded by outdoor courts, cabanas, yard games, large video screens with seating areas, and re pits. servfun.com

CHARTREUSE SALOON

Jill Cockson’s inclusive game room and saloon in the East Crossroads is just the place to get a choose-your-own-adventure nacho platter while you throw steel-tip darts, shoot pool on nine-foot Diamond tables with chartreuse-colored felt, or play checkers, chess, and cards along with some of the best drinks this side of the Missouri river. She now accepts both cash and credit cards at her ne establishment. Rack ‘em up! chartreusesaloon.com

BLADE & TIMBER AX THROWING

Book a lane online, sign the legal waiver, and then show up at Blade & Timber ready to toss an ax at a target on a wood wall just because you can. Blade & Timber is a homegrown Kansas City-based company owned by Matt Baysinger and co-founder Ryan Henrich, operating as Swell Spark, with two locations in Kansas City. Order chicken and wafes, soft pretzels, or fried cheese curds to go with something from their impressive beer list, and then make like a lumberjack and put your arm into it. bladeandtimber.com

CHICKEN N PICKLE

Chicken N Pickle is a chef-driven, casual eatery and bar with pickleball courts, shaded beer gardens, and backyard games. Founder Dave Johnson was the rst to bring pickleball—plus food and drink—together in Kansas City. Reserve a court at one of their two Kansas City locations and order their wood- red rotisserie chicken with a handful of delicious sides, including cathead biscuits, grilled street corn, and burnt-end barbecue beans. A full bar serves beer, wine, and cocktails to those who are playing or simply watching the game. chickennpickle.com

SINKERS LOUNGE

Owned by the same duo who owns Blade & Timber, Sinkers Lounge is located next door to Blade & Timber in the Power & Light District. eir mini-golf themed bar and restaurant has a more upscale datenight vibe, with nine tabletop golf holes and nine mini-golf holes, including some sel e spots scattered throughout that highlight Kansas City landmarks. Food also has been taken up a few notches with Tangy ai hot dogs and Hatch chili cheese dip and chips, along with cocktails, beer, and wine. sinkerslounge.com

UP-DOWN

A concept that originally started in Iowa, Up-Down owners chose Kansas City as their second location, opening this popular indoor/outdoor space in the Crossroads in 2015. e 21+ arcade bar features more than 50 arcade games from the ’80s and ’90s, pinball machines, four classic Skee-Ball alleys, Nintendo 64 console gaming, life-size Jenga, and Connect Four. Regional craft brews along with slices of pizza will keep you playing all night long. updownarcadebar.com/kansas-city

GERARD’S AT THE BELFRY

Last year, Denver developer Ken Wolf partnered with the chef Celina Tio to add a new pool hall in the former Collection space, which Tio now manages in addition to her popular restaurant and bar, e Belfry. It has ve regulation-size pool tables, a dart board, pinball machine, and a chair rail that wraps the room for people to gather to eat, drink, and watch all the action. Pro Tip: Order your cocktail with Tio’s new line of ANNX crafted spirits. gerardspoolhall.com

BOULEVARD REC DECK

In 2019, Boulevard Brewing Co. upped its game, opening a brandnew “Rec Deck” on the fourth oor of its Tours & Recreational Center. Open Saturday only for those 21 and above, the game stop features ve regulation 40-foot indoor shu eboard courts available to rent by the hour and a couple of shu eboard and foosball tables that people can play while enjoying Boulevard canned beer and Fling craft cocktails. boulevard.com/visit-us/rec-deck

DOUBLETAP KC

Ready to experience what is next in gaming? DoubleTap is a virtual reality arcade and sports bar owned by Terry Keith and Eddie Reese located in the River Market. O ering a variety of VR games, you can play in your own private bay or join friends or family in a VR escape room. With a fully stocked bar, and an impressive menu o ering build-your-own loaded fries, tacos, burgers, and more, there are also classic arcade games, board games, and TVs tuned to your favorite game. doubletapkc.com

REROLL TAVERN

is is the place where games, food, cocktails, and competition collide. Owners Edward Schmalz, Donald Lewis, and Maggie Boone have brought each of their collective talents to bear on this imaginative bar where everyone knows not only your name but your character’s name. Whether you are looking to join a conversation about Dungeons and Dragons, play a friendly game of cards, or a nostalgic board game along with a burger, pizza, or nachos and a beer or cocktail, then Reroll Tavern is for you. rerolltavern.com

In the living room, the Robsjohn Gibbings vintage cocktail table is encircled by cozy seating, including a pair of ’50s armchairs reupholstered in shearling and suede and a ’60s curved sofa, originally owned by Beth Zollar’s great aunt.

words by Judith Fertig photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

Home Again

MISSION HILLS MEETS MALIBU IN A KANSAS HOME WITH A CALIFORNIA VIBE

While many people could recite all the projects they started and finished during the pandemic, few could say that they gutted, designed, and furnished a house in Mission Hills.

While 1,623 miles away. When ordering anything from overseas was dicey as cargo ships were stuck in port. When shortages from toilet paper to computer chips caused us all to go from Plan A to Plan G within seconds (Goodbye La Cornue range; hello, Bertazzoni).

But Beth Zollars found a way. A professor of policy and urban planning at the University of Southern California and a local entrepreneur and designer, she was teaching her winter college classes. Husband Bill, retired CEO of YRC Worldwide, had his new work cut out for him after being appointed to the United States Postal Service Board of Governors.

“We downsized from our house in Leawood as empty nesters of

Above: An iron and brass railing leads up the stairs in the foyer. The reproduction Cassina console table is fronted by a contemporary pouf by Belgian designer Michael Verheyden. Right: In the family room, a pair of rush woven chairs flank the 19th-century painted cupboard, where a Workstead wall lamp with adjustable shade illuminates the art.

Above: A wall of newly installed French doors brighten the dining room, where Naru chairs upholstered in leather surround the contemporary walnut dining table. Six-shade chandelier is from Piattelli Design. Flower arrangements by The Little Flower Shop. Far Left: Tucked into one corner, a contemporary sconce overlooks an English antique cane and black-lacquer corner chair that Zollars inherited from her great grandmother. Left: A Tessa lamp from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams tops the 19th-century American mahogany drop-leaf table.

four grown children,” Beth Zollars says. “We wanted an easier way to live in Kansas, but with a California vibe.”

While riding out the pandemic on the West Coast, she began planning. A mood board detailed how she wanted the exterior (white painted brick, black window frames and doors) and interior (quiet neutral) to look and feel.

Contractor Jarret Apperson of McApperson Properties made her vision become a reality, with other local help from Hardwood Floor Company, Carthage Stoneworks, Metro Drapery and Blind, and her friend Ann Egan.

Now, as you walk in the front door, you would never know this is the way the house came together. Quarter-sawn white oak floors feel almost soft underfoot. Vintage Turkish Oushak rugs, pale walls, and lined Belgian linen draperies all whisper “quiet neutral.” Modern Italian lighting and ar-

Above: The RH sectional divides the family room from the kitchen and faces the custom white-oak built-in bookcase. An oversize brass pendant from Gallery L7 hovers over the black-stained coffee table topped with a flower arrangement from The Little Flower Shop.

Left: Beth Zollars with the family’s dog, Shelly, a bird-dog mix.

ticulating brass sconces cast light on antiques and family pieces, mixing new with old.

“I wanted everything to be comfortable,” says Zollars. That means everything from the fleecy armchair that pulls up next to the living room fireplace with its soapstone surround, where she loves to have her morning coffee, to the vintage curved sofa from a great aunt, which is now reupholstered in a comfy flannel gray. Or the spot—any spot—where the family’s dog, Shelly, a bird-dog mix, wishes to curl up.

The couple removed a wall and opened the space to the dining room to provide a view of the outdoors and let in more light. Again, sleek walnut dining chairs feel great to the touch and invite their dinner guests to linger around the table.

The family room also looks out to the outdoors with sleek

end by

on

cabinetry

one

Parks Cabinetry and a dynamic chandelier overhead. Plenty of

Above: Honed marble countertops, Farrow & Ball French Grey-painted cabinetry, and unlacquered brass fixtures and cabinet pulls all work to warm up the cozy kitchen. A pair of handcrafted brass and rattan pendants illuminates the island. Right: Tucked into a corner of the foyer, the original powder room was redone with Visual Comfort sconces, a Serena & Lily grasscloth wallcovering, and a custom-made marble sink fitted with Waterworks unlacquered brass fixtures.

Altitude II by Todd Mossman hangs over the walnut canopy bed from Room & Board in the primary bedroom. Bedside lamps from Victoria Morris and marble-topped black-stained oak night tables flank the bed. Flowers are from the Little Flower Shop.

Above, top: The spacious primary bedroom includes a sitting area with a 19th-century English mahogany sofa upholstered in a Schumacher velvet and a pair of McGuire linenupholstered chairs surrounding two Blu Dot aciaca wood tables. Above: A vintage stool holds accoutrements for the commodious freestanding bathtub in the primary bathroom.

space to sit, put your feet up on the blackstained circular co ee table, and just hang out. e couple loves to entertain. “In our old house,” says Zollars, “people were always gathered around the island, so we wanted to have more places to stand and sit.” Now, the family room melds into the kitchen with cabinets painted a subdued gray, graphic Calacatta Macchia Vecchia stone countertops (with an etch-proo ng nish), and a creamy-hued Bertazzoni range. Open shelving and warm wood accents continue the open and friendly feel. Waterworks sink faucets and unlacquered brass hardware invite the patina acquired over time.

In the “snug” or bar, with its vintage opaline-glass chandelier, Bill can mix up a pitcher of old fashioneds or pour a vintage wine in his favorite room. “On Christmas Eve, we had 15 people squeezed into this little space,” Zollars says with a laugh. “It was like a clown car.”

Here and there, objects tell stories of their family. A 19th-century brass weathervane reminds her of upstate New York, where she grew up. A framed pencil drawing was a gift from her father at her college graduation. Art found, admired, and brought home from travels and favorite places nds their spots to be seen and remembered.

Upstairs in the primary bedroom, a large walnut canopy bed is dressed in crisp linens and a comfy blanket tucked in for a tailored appearance. On one wall, the sculpted lines of an antique American highboy from Sotheby’s contrast with the simple forms of bed and side tables with Victoria Morris lamps.

Still working out how and where they want to live, the couple is contemplating another move. Will it mean a Kansas or a California pied-a-terre?

“Like the sea,” says Zollars, “change is inevitable, sometimes just touching at the surface, other times knocking you over with a sledgehammer.”

“But when you surround yourself with the things you love, you always feel at home,” she says.

The snug is illuminated by a ’50s midcentury-modern Italian Stilnovo brass and opaline-glass chandelier.

Modern-American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. Chef Duerr and team present elegant fare and carefully curated menus for a variety of special occasions.

1900 Building 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway Mission Woods, Kansas

A spectacular, contemporary venue with transformable reception spaces and a magnificent courtyard.

WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES CELEBRATING LOCAL

Beautiful Results By Expertly Trained Staff

Holly Post has over 25 years of experience in the aesthetics industry, and was voted the Top Injector in Kansas City two years in a row. She founded Hollyday Med Spa + Aesthetics in 2004, and recently launched her first injection studio in the Shops of Prairie Village in October 2022. This new concept was built from the need to bring more highly skilled, thoroughly educated, and safe injectors to the Kansas City area.

Holly believes in treating each patient as the individual they are, and building long-term plans for their specific needs and goals. She utilizes the best and most innovative techniques and equipment, and

Owner: Holly Post Med Spa In Business Since: 2004

hollydayspa.com• 816.333.4430

1 East Gregory Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64114

Injection Studio In Business Since: 2022

hollydayspa.com• 913.585.8995

3937 West 69th Terrace, Suite A, Prairie Village, KS 66208

believes in combining multiple modalities for the most well-rounded approach to aging gracefully—from facials, microneedling, lasers and the highest quality of medical-grade skin care products to neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport, dermal fillers, Sculptra, PRF (platelet rich fibrin) and PDO threads (non-surgical facelift).

The entire staff at both Hollyday locations takes a more conservative approach while still providing jaw-dropping results for the face, neck and body. Remember, her team doesn’t want to change you; they are here to educate you about the aging process, enhance your natural beauty, and help you feel like your most confident self.

STEPP & ROTHWELL

More Than 30 Years of Female Leadership in Personal Financial Planning

Kathy Stepp founded her financial planning firm in Kansas City over 30 years ago. Her goal was to provide unbiased, results-oriented advice to help her clients make informed decisions about their future. Building the firm was less straightforward. In her first year, she spent more on childcare than she raised in revenue. “It wasn’t easy. Prospective clients assumed that I must be working from home!” Stepp shared. “I can’t tell you how many times I was asked to give talks to women’s groups about finances.” She wondered, “why wasn’t anyone looking for speakers to explain personal finance to men?”

Dedication to her clients brought the firm consistent growth and a national reach. Stepp found a like-minded partner in Howard Rothwell. The two shared a vision and when they married in 1997, they

Owner: Amy Guerich

Founder: Kathy Stepp

In Business Since: 1992

steppandrothwell.com

•913.345.4800

7300 College Boulevard, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS

merged their firms under the Stepp & Rothwell name.

In 2022, Stepp and Rothwell transitioned ownership of the firm to longtime employees, Amy Guerich and Ken Eaton. Guerich started with the firm in 2005 as an intern and joined Stepp & Rothwell full-time as a Financial Planning Associate a year later. She and Eaton continue the firm’s emphasis on providing objective financial planning for families.

“I am very proud to be a second-generation woman owner of S&R,” Guerich stated. “I feel so fortunate that Kathy Stepp was willing to take me under her wing and prepare me for this role.”

Today the firm has grown to 22 team members working with more than 300 client families nationwide while maintaining the same client focus that inspired Kathy to go out on her own in the first place.

KARIN ROSS DESIGNS

Your Complete Design + Build Solution

Karin Ross has over 25 years in the field experience when it comes to kitchen and bathroom remodeling and new build projects. Karin’s European background influences her style and passion for clean and elegant looks. She is famous for creating stunning transitional and authentic European styles.

When walking into a new kitchen or bathroom created by Karin Ross Designs, your eye will be pleasantly surprised at the harmony achieved between all the elements involved in the project.

From paint color to the very last detail, Karin goes above and beyond to make sure she captured the client’s desires and needs into the newly created space. “Our designs are elegant but functional” says Ross as the company transforms one kitchen or bathroom at a time. “We listen to our client whether their per -

Owner: Karin Ross

In Business Since: 2006

karinrossdesigns.com

• 816.425.2815

1260 Northwest Sloan, Lee’s Summit, MO

sonal style is traditional, classic, contemporary, or transitional, and we make it our passion to take their ideas and make them into a beautiful and inspiring environment for their homes. We travel extensively to find sources for new products and to continually connect with the best-of-the-best vendors, artisans, and craftspeople. We offer the customer great values on every design element from fine cabinetry to floor covering and the best designs in lighting.”

Services include an in-house designer and a project manager who work together and just happen to be the dynamic duo of husband and wife. Together they ensure every detail reflects your personal style and they create your dream kitchen or bath. Your satisfaction is their goal.

GEORGOUS AESTHETIC BAR

Your Natural Beauty, Elevated

At Georgous Aesthetic Bar, Georgia Cirese is known as the “OG Injector.” With over 20 years of experience in aesthetics, the owner of the local medspa is nationally recognized for her work in aesthetic injection treatments, such as wrinkle relaxers and cosmetic fillers. In fact, Cirese often travels the country as a national trainer and speaks at conferences. She’s also a Registered Nurse (RN) and Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS).

Cirese founded Georgous Aesthetic Bar with her daughter, Mary Katelyn, in 2019, hoping to define a new category of boutique clinics. Three years later, Cirese leads a team of licensed and trained providers who produce natural, yet stunning, results and guide patients through the treatment options that best meet each individual’s needs.

Owner: Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS

In Business Since: 2019

georgouskc.com • 816.946.8484

4505 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO

At Georgous Aesthetic Bar, expect an experience that’s both professional and personal in a comfortable and inviting space—comfort and safety are a top priority. The clinic’s treatments include wrinkle relaxers, such as Botox, Daxxify, Dysport, and Jeuveau; cosmetic fillers; PDO thread lifts; PRP facelifts and facials; bootylift, laser treatments, including BBL/IPL, hair removal, and HALO; microneedling; chemical peels: facials and medical weight management.

Each treatment at the clinic is backed by science and results so clients can rest assured knowing their treatment plan is effective. After all, Cirese’s motto is that the best procedures are the ones that are undetectable. At Georgous Aesthetic Bar, it’s all about elevating each client’s natural beauty.

DESIGN & DETAIL

Empowering Spaces With Timeless Elegance

Melinda Klinghammer’s journey from finance to the interior design industry has been nothing short of transformative. She embarked on a remarkable venture in 2005, establishing Design & Detail, an exclusive to the trade designer showroom located in St Louis. Today, the showroom has expanded to encompass 10,000 square feet in St Louis and an impressive 17,000 square feet in Kansas City.

Because of Melinda’s upbringing in mid-Missouri and her family’s ties to Kansas City she developed a passion for sports, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. The excitement and camaraderie surrounding these teams became an integral part of her childhood and shaped her love for Kansas City.

Design & Detail prides itself on fostering a collaborative and inspirational environment for designers and architects. Melinda and her team handpick a curated selection of high-end brands, offering lines that are exclusive to the design trade. Their focus is on collections that

Owner: Melinda Klinghammer

In Business Since: 2005

designanddetailstl.com

•913.218.0012

10513 West 84th Terrace, Lenexa, KS

exude quality and thoughtful design.

Throughout the past two decades, Design & Detail has established enduring partnerships with designers and vendors alike. Melinda’s philosophy revolves around embodying exceptional customer service, becoming an indispensable ally for designers as they navigate their projects.

The showroom is a comprehensive resource that includes furniture, fabrics, wallcoverings, lighting, accessories, carpet, custom area rugs, and window coverings.

Design & Detail stands as a testament to Melinda’s vision and commitment to excellence. Through her showroom, she has created an invaluable resource for the design community, empowering designers to achieve their creative aspirations while providing unmatched support.

At Design & Detail, they believe every space has the potential to become a masterpiece. They are dedicated to helping designers and architects transform their visions into reality.

Helping You Fnd Your Dream Home Through Honesty, Exposure, and Results

The Koehler Bortnick Team, a mother-daughter dynamic duo built on a lifetime of trust and appreciation, serves as the foundation of Kansas City’s leading real estate team. Our Team is honored to be a part of the Women-Owned businesses in Kansas City and would like to congratulate Heather Bortnick, President of Koehler Bortnick Team, on her achievements and being selected to be a part of Women Who Mean Business!

Buying and selling a home is one of the most financially impacting decisions a person can make. “I am devoted to guiding and educating my clients, making the decision to buy or sell a home a rewarding one,” says Bortnick. In this real estate climate, it is essential that your Realtor is working for you and has your best

Owners: Kathy Koehler & Heather Bortnick

In Business Since: 1993

kbsells.com

•913.239.2069

5000 West 135th Street, Leawood KS

interests first and foremost; this level of dedication is what I do daily for my clients.

We

firmly believe the most important quality of an agent is to listen and meet the needs of the client; this is our #1 goal every time I work with a family or an individual. We pride ourselves on knowing the market and educating buyers on all of Kansas City and then helping them make the best decision for their lifestyle and needs.

“Even after 30 years, one thing is certain, we love what we do. We love working together with our team every day,” Bortnick says. “It’s exciting to watch your team grow and celebrate their successes. and there is nothing more rewarding than watching your cherished client open the door to their new home!”

KOHLER BORTNICK

PORTFOLIO

Kansas City’s Design Destination

Geri Higgins, Founder and President of Portfolio Kitchen & Home, is known for her innovative and personalized approach to Kitchen and Home Design. Under her leadership, Portfolio Kitchen & Home is recognized as one of the Midwest’s Premiere Kitchen, Bath and Home Design Firms. Recipients of numerous accolades and awards for their work, the Portfolio collection of design services includes renovation, restoration, and new build construction. Their beautiful showroom located across from

Union Station has become Kansas City’s ultimate design destination.

Portfolio’s sophisticated design, combined with their vast array of beautiful, unique materials has established them as Kansas City’s go-to design firm. Their client-driven approach and commitment to excellence has led to lifelong client relationships. No matter the size of the project, Portfolio is committed to honoring their client’s needs and their signature style.

Owner: Geri Higgins

In Business Since: 2004

portfolio-home.com •816.363.5300

215 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO

JSMM

Founder Valerie Jennings Celebrates 20 Years in Business

Valerie Jennings founded Jennings Social Media & MarTech (JSMM) in 2003. Over the course of two decades, Valerie has grown the business into a highly competitive growth marketing agency, using the latest martech and AI innovations to increase revenue for its clients in the automotive industry, transportation logistics, healthcare, beauty, financial services, travel and hospitality, technology, home services, and more.

The agency is excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. Headquartered in Overland Park, with satellite offices in Miami and Southern California, JSMM will open a new office in the fall.

Valerie has been an advocate for women and a leader in marketing since she founded her agency at the age of 24. Her leadership and

Owner: Valerie Jennings

In Business Since: 2003

jsmmtech.com •816.221.1040

10740 Nall Avenue, Suite 350, Overland Park, KS 66210

tenacity as a digital marketer and early adopter of social media has created jobs and mentorship opportunities for women and girls and provided innovative marketing strategies.

Valerie has earned awards and honors from the Stevie Awards, FOLIO, AMBIT and others for her entrepreneurship, industry leadership and excellence. Earlier this year she presented at the 2023 Midwest Digital Marketing Conference in St. Louis.

Valerie supports numerous charities, giving back to nonprofits, including those focused on animal welfare, children and families, women and girls. She invests her time mentoring women and entrepreneurs and is highly engaged in the AI community. A cornerstone of the agency continues to be fostering a positive community through education, technology and career development.

CENETRIC NETWORK SERVICES

Our Mission is to Support Your Mission

When Brittany Fugate founded Cenetric Network Services in 2008, she had a dream for the company to have a positive impact in as many lives as she could touch, through IT Support services. Computer and network support services such as Helpdesk, Design, Maintenance, Security and Project services have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of a business, but Brittany wanted to take it a step further and live up to motto, “Our Mission is to Support Your Mission.” Today, these words ring true in everything Cenetric does from helping Small Businesses to achieve their business goals through the use of strategic technology and budgeting, to mentoring and training all levels of support staff, and through continued community service efforts.

The team goes beyond traditional support models by fully supporting their clients in a holistic way. Cenetric believes that to

Owner: Brittany Batbie Fugate

In Business Since: 2008

cenetric.com

•913.210.1950

401 South Clairborne Road, Suite 302 Olathe, KS 66062

support a company through technology, you must fully understand the company, their mission and their staff. By maintaining this level of partnership with each customer, Cenetric can make quicker, better and more well-informed decisions regarding strategic IT Support and identifying the best solutions for each customer.

Brittany has a passion for helping other women in business. Cenetric is an active member of NAWBO, WBENC, WSOB, KC Tech Council, and the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program. She has also been recognized in 2023 for her contributions towards woman in business as a National Enterprising Woman of the Year and CRN’s Power 80 List.

Women Owned IN Kansas City

WDS MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Partner You Need

Driven by diligence and ingenuity, WDS Marketing & Public Relations has been optimizing print and broadcast media opportunities, award programs, and special business events to achieve dynamic results for their clients for over 25 years.

Becky S. Wilson, Chief Visibility Officer at WDS, develops campaigns that allow tenacious entrepreneurs to enhance their brands in positive, powerful and highly enjoyable ways. The desired result incorporates greater visibility, credibility, and acclaim for the enterprise and its products and services.

An agency with a unique niche, WDS assists clients with maximizing the attributes of award programs. Providing expertise and insights, Becky and her team guide clients in entering and participating at an elevated level.

WDS’ clients have walked across stages to accept a variety of local, regional and national awards. Honorees include industry leaders, women and minority-led firms, and small business owners, in addition to national nonprofit business organizations.

Owner: Becky S. Wilson

In Business Since: 1987

wdspr.com •913.362.4541

INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS OF DESIGN Design, Creativity, and Absolute Quality

International Materials of Design provides unique tile and stone choices for discerning builders, designers and homeowners. Its foundation rests on consistent quality- quality product, quality design, quality service.

Co-owners Amy Sanders and Cindy Cleveland consistently maintain the unparalleled quality and service standards laid by the founders more than 30 years ago.

Those who seek international flavor, simple elegance, dramatic flare, period motif, and more, make International Materials of Design their first choice.

Clients are welcome to visit our showroom to handle and experience these treasures brought in from all over the world.

Owners: Amy Sanders and Cindy Cleveland

In Business Since: 1976

imdtile.com •913.383.3383

4691 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park, KS

Left to right: V. Littlejohn, B. Latha, B. Wilson, S. Sage, and A. DeAngelo celebrate receiving awards during the Stevie Awards for Women in Business gala in New York City.

MAZZARESE

Be One of a Kind

As a lover of fashion and luxury goods at an early age and growing up in the business, Veronica was destined to be the fourth generation to continue the legacy. Following her father’s heritage she continues to bring the finest jewelry and watches to the Kansas City area. The Mazzarese client loves elegance and sophistication yet in an understated way. The Mazzarese client loves understated elegance and sophistication. The designers and artists she brings to the showroom are expert designers who take pride in their craft. Mazzarese also takes pride in designing jewelry, both for the store and custom designs for clients. While Mazzarese offers a large portfolio of designs, many pieces made in-house are one of a kind. She loves to turn old pieces into new treasures that can be worn by several new generations. Jewelry and watches can last forever and cherish a moment in time. You’re invited to stop by and let the experts at Mazzarese style you and provide you with their service and knowledge.

Owner: Veronica Mazzarese

In Business Since: 1981

mazzaresejewelry.com

•913.491.4111

4850 West 135th Street, Leawood, KS 10am to 6pm Monday–Saturday

Living in Color

Pam DiCapo has been a female business owner since she opened baby boutique extraordinaire Lauren Alexandra—named after her two daughters— in 1994. Pam loves bringing sophisticated products and beautiful interiors to Kansas City. In 2019 she opened Jorjy, a lifestyle and home design store named after her beloved dog.

Jorjy brings color and a fresh perspective to Kansas City. The shop exudes a vibe brimming with creativity, originality, and happiness. Located at 320 West 63rd Street in Brookside, Jorjy is a lifestyle shop that offers a fresh take on wallpaper, fabric, art, and accessories for the home as well as interior design and to-the-trade partnerships. Jorjy is next door to Lauren Alexandra, and a shopper can cross from one retail environment to the other while inside either store.

Owner: Pam DiCapo

In Business Since: 2019

Owner: Tammy Sciara-Owner

In Business Since: 2018

thegrovespa.com

•816.834.9100

328 W 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO In the Brookside Shops

STAFFING KANSAS CITY

Personnel Services with a Personal Touch!

Staffing Kansas City is your employment partner, solving companies’ hiring challenges since 1998. Our dynamic team has, collectively, 95 years’ recruiting experience, placing Top Talent with Kansas City’s Top Companies for 25 years.

Staffing Kansas City is independently owned and WBE Certified. With hands-on owners and powerhouse recruiters, clients trust their hiring needs are in the hands of experts.

Shout out to the women at Staffing Kansas City: Roses Ammon, Vice President; Alex Gearin, Recruiter; Michelle Lee, Recruiter; Shelley Seibolt, President; Marie Phelan, Associate VP of Recruiting.

Where Med Spa and Relaxation Become One

A visit to The Grove Spa is unlike any other medical spa in Kansas City. In 2018, local owner Tammy Sciara saw an opportunity to offer advanced skincare in a way that was not being done in Kansas City. “So many times I had visited medical spas that gave me what I needed, but I didn’t experience the ’spa’ element that I so desired,” says Sciara.

With 2700 square feet of space, The Grove Spa offers the comforts of a high-end luxury spa, but with all of the advanced skincare treatments and and esthetic services clients are looking for.

The Grove Spa’s mission is to make every visit to the spa—even a brow wax or Botox—feel like a ‘spa’ experience. The goal is for you to leave feeling beautiful and relaxed!

Owners: Shelley Seibolt and Roses

In Business Since: 1998

Ammon

Women Owned IN Kansas City

Blue Koi Owner: Jane Chang bluekoi.net • 913.383.3330

Enjoy Pure Food+Drink Owner: Staci Cross enjoypurefood.com • 913.544.1515

Eye Style Optics Owner: Lisa McDermott eyestyleoptics.com • 913.313.1207

Fusion Fitness Owner: Darby Brender fusionfitness.com • 913.800.1874

Gallery V Fine Arts Owner: Valerie Phillips galleryvfinearts.com • 913.341.3483

Good Vets Owner: Julie Bradford opl@good-vets.com • 913.407.0400

Mission Skin Owner: Jan Miller missionskinkc.com • 913.730.8050

MISSION FARMS’ WOMENOWNED BUSINESSES

The Women of Mission Farms

Did you know that over half of the business at Mission Farms are owned or co-owned by women? These fierce females make it happen in their shops, restaurants, salons, studios, and galleries. Let’s celebrate and support these women-owned businesses.

Conveniently nestled in the heart of Leawood at Indian Creek Parkway (106th Street) and Mission Road.

New You Health Studio Owner: Dr. Shelley Alexander newyoukc.com • 913.213.6900

Páros Estiatorio Owner: Kozeta Kreka parosleawood.com • 913.544.1262

Rye Owner: Megan Garrelts ryekc.com • 913.642.5800

VanBrock Owner: Bonne Illig vanbrockjewels.com • 913.341.7273

Xiphium Salon Owner: Vilma Subel xiphium.com • 913.696.1616

Cuerobella Owner: Trish Church Podlasek cuorebella.com • 913.325.7354 • COMING SOON

BILLIE’S GROCERY

Organic Whole Eats and Treats

Billie’s Grocery is a dietary and lifestyle friendly restaurant, bakery, and cooking school specializing in hands-on culinary classes that teach you how to have fun cooking and enjoying new flavor profiles. Designed by nutritional therapist, restorative wellness specialist, herbalist, and health coach, Billie’s grocery brings nutrient dense whole eats and treats to the community’s ever growing health food scene. With California and Australian inspired dishes, Billie’s menu offerings are made to make you feel good. So, whether you’re grabbing a post-workout bowl or coming in for a happy hour pickme-up with your gluten free love, Billie’s has something for everyone.

Owner: Robin Krause

In Business Since: 2020

billiesgrocery.com •816.683.4400

3216 Gillham Plaza, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO

In the Kitchen COOL AS A CUCUMBER

BY Cody Hogan PHOTOS BY Aaron Leimkuehler

One of the delights of summer is a fresh cucumber, especially if you have grown it yourself.

eir seeds germinate rapidly, tend to be proli c, and unlike tomatoes, cucumbers are not attractive to my nemesis—the squirrels. ey make me feel like an accomplished gardener!

In the kitchen, cucumbers have a refreshing quality that is welcome in the summer heat, adding a lovely crunch to salads, moisture to lean dishes (like a spicy Laotian larb), and a cooling quality used in condiments that complement piquant dishes in many cultures (raita, tzatziki). And cocktail a cionados would quickly point out their use as a garnish or avoring makes any boozy summertime libation look somehow healthful. But there is one culinary role for which they are frequently overlooked—and not just by squirrels. at role is dessert.

Granted, cucumbers are not my go-to fruit for a show-stopping conclusion to a summer feast like a layered bread and berry pudding or bubbling peach cobbler, but when you have a garden full of cukes, why not exercise a little creativity. ink of them as a blank canvas awaiting a little tweak here and there to accentuate their dessert-role qualities. Just as at the beginning of a meal, their freshness is restorative, and they have an a nity for citrus and cool herbal avors like mint and basil that are used in desserts. Combine those qualities with the universal appeal of frozen treats and you have a recipe for sweet summertime success.

Cucumber-Mint Sorbet

Many people are intimidated by the thought of making sorbet, when in actuality the process is quite simple, especially if you have an ice cream freezer or one of the freezing attachments that goes on a standing mixer—you make a base and freeze it (or rather the machine freezes it). For sorbets I have a simple ratio that I use as a starting point. Generally speaking, one quart of fruit juice or fruit purée needs ¾ to one full cup of sugar to achieve a nice freezing consistency. Extremely sweet fruits might need less, startlingly sour ones might need more. Let your taste buds be your guide. (Remember you can always add more sugar, but you can’t take it out.) Using less sugar than that ratio results in a rock-hard popsicle-like consistency—not necessarily a bad thing if you like popsicles. If the sorbet base seems much too sweet, the avor is easily balanced with a few tablespoons of lime or lemon juice—and always keep in mind that foods don’t taste quite as sweet when they are frozen or at a very low temperature. If you are opposed to using that much sugar, a

avorful alternative to adding the full amount of sugar is adding a tablespoon or two of alcohol. More on that in a bit.

is is how I would make the easiest, fastest, laziest sorbet, perfect for a busy summer when you’re in a hurry and don’t want to fuss around too much in the kitchen: For approximately one quart of sorbet, combine in a blender or the bowl of a food processor 3 cucumbers (any variety, about 2½ pounds, peeled, topped and tailed—that means remove the ends—and cut into chunks), ½ cup ½ cup honey juice of 2 limes (about ¼ cup), and a handful of mint

pounds, topped and tailed—that means remove sugar, ½ cup honey, the juice of 2 limes more sugar or citrus juice). Freeze according to the directions

Purée until smooth, being certain the sugar crystals are mostly dissolved, and taste, adjusting the level of sweetness as necessary (using a bit more sugar or citrus juice). Freeze according to the directions for your ice cream machine. It really couldn’t be simpler.

If you have a little extra time, there are several re nements or variations one could make for a slightly more elegant sorbet, more like one I would serve in a restaurant. e rst would be to strain the mixture, which will reduce the amount of ber in the base, giving the nished sorbet a smoother texture—but you would lose all the health bene ts from eating ber. Another technique for making a more silken texture would be to add a tablespoon or two of alcohol, like vodka (neutral in avor) or gin (especially one of the cucumber-infused gins like Hendricks) or even tequila or bourbon (like a cucumber margarita or mint julep). e avor can be tweaked to t the theme of your meal by changing the herb from mint to basil or cilantro (see Pantry), and the lime could be swapped with lemon. A ginger spirit or an infusion of fresh ginger in the base would take you straight to the tropics. If texture isn’t your concern, or perhaps some of those you are serving don’t wish to consume alcohol, the alcohol could be served alongside for your guests to douse their sorbet as desired. If you don’t have an ice cream freezer, you can freeze the mixture in block form, stirring it occasionally to make a granita, which is essentially a sorbet with really large ice crystals (similar to a Hawaiian ice or snow cone). For a portable popsicle version, be sure to omit the alcohol and reduce the sugar slightly, then freeze in popsicle molds. You could also freeze the base in ice cube trays to use as a garnish for poolside cocktails or purée the cubes in a food processor right before serving for an ad hoc sorbet. e variations are many, and I guarantee a surprise and delight for your guests. So go ahead, try eating your vegetables for dessert, just don’t tell the squirrels what they’re missing.

a refreshing quality that is welcome dishes

time libation look somehow healthful. But there by

COOLING HERBS

MANY SUMMER FOODS, especially spicy dishes, bene t from the addition of “cool” herbs to help balance avors and bring a sense of freshness. Mind you, the herbs don’t cancel the heat (and the ery heat from peppers/capsaicin is what actually cools you o —through perspiration). Instead, the herbs bring equilibrium to the avors so there is more going on than just the inferno on your tongue. Interestingly, these herbs are interchangeable in many instances and bring a refreshing change to a familiar dish. e next time you need a bit of relief from the heat, give some of these suggestions a try.

Mint

Without a doubt the number one herb when people think of “cool.” There are countless varieties of mint with subtle (and not-so-subtle) variations in flavor, like chocolate, lemon, apple, or ginger, but the two most common mints are spearmint and peppermint. Peppermint has the largest concentration of menthol and other volatile oils and is most easily recognized by purplish stems, deep green leaves, and an intense minty flavor. Spearmint has more spearshaped leaves, is milder, and is the most versatile and commonly used mint in the kitchen. Although mints are interchangeable in many instances, always taste a bit first to see if it has the exact flavor you are looking for. Try substituting mint for basil in a spicy tomato sauce (or for any dish where you would normally use basil) or in place of or in addition to parsley with seafood (like a spicy marinated fish filet topped with an herb salad or salsa verde).

Basil

Red Door Home Store at RANCH MART

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Cilantro

Surely the most controversial of herbs, cilantro (aka green coriander) can be polarizing due to flavors and aromas perceived by some as “soapy,” due in part to both genetics and culture. Haters of cilantro could try substituting mint or Thai basil for the perceived foul herb in many recipes like a summery salsa, whereas lovers of cilantro will find it invigorating in pesto, or many Asian dishes calling for mint. Note that cilantro’s flavor profile is really nothing like basil, mint, or parsley, it just happens to work as a substitute in many instances. (It’s also spectacular in combination with other herbs.)

For many, basil is the herb of summer. A wide variety of basils, each with a slightly different flavor profile, find their way into cuisines across the globe, frequently with names that indicate their place of origin or cuisine of common usage (like Genovese basil from Italy, Siam Queen from Thailand, or African Blue from, well, Africa). A caprese salad with fresh mozzarella would be impossible without basil but try substituting a non-Italian variety for a change of pace (or even mint!). Many varieties have a sweet anise quality that fans of licorice will welcome in many dishes and drinks. For a little extra sophistication, try basil as an iced tea garnish, or perhaps muddled in your next mojito.

variety for a change of pace (or even mint!).

come curious, leave inspired.

RANCH MART SOUTH SHOPPING CENTER

RANCH MART SOUTH SHOPPING CENTER

3805 W 95th Street

3805 W 95th Street

Overland Park, KS 66206

Overland Park, KS 66206

913.608.3399

913.608.3399

reddoorhomestore.com

reddoorhomestore.com

@reddoorhomestore

@reddoorhomestore

by Jenny Vergara

In Your Cocktail VINTAGE ’78 WINE BAR

For those who have been searching for a serious wine, cheese, and charcuterie bar located somewhere between downtown Kansas City and Leawood that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Vintage ’78 Wine Bar in downtown Overland Park is open and ready to serve you.

The stylish new wine bar gives off fancy French bistro vibes, with soaring ceilings, decorative molding, blue-velvet banquette benches, and white marble tables, but the goal of Vintage ’78 is to create an elegant place that provides great service, with a world-class selection of wine, cheese, and cured meats in a casual, fun, and decidedly unstuffy way.

Michael Scherzberg and his partners, Megan Downes, general manager, and Kyle Ketchum, executive chef, have not only the industry

experience, but the wine and food knowledge to bring some of the best bottles of grape juice and bar snacks together to your table, in addition to some good cheeky fun with their first concept.

An example would be the nine wine flights that are on the menu here, some with hilarious names including “Flowers & Dead Things” and “What the Funk am I Tasting?” At Vintage ’78, even the modern art on the wall has a story (in fact, there is a story about almost everything on the menu). An eclectic playlist fills the space, as you enjoy a glass of wine and their “cheese clock,” a platter that offers a curated collection of 12 cheeses you can sample from around the world with accompaniments like honey, pickled green tomatoes from Kansas City Canning Co., and fig jam. There are even plans to have a barstool at the bar with

a plaque on it that is dedicated to the Cheers television show regular Norm Peterson, not to mention the fact that everyone working here is in a T-shirt and blue jeans, even when opening incredible bottles of wine.

The whole place feels like a delicious mystery studded with clues, Easter eggs, and things hiding in plain sight just waiting to be discovered. Although they are popping some serious bottles here it is always with a sense of fun, like the “Sommelier’s Blind Flight,” a wine flight where you are presented with six different glasses of wine to taste blind, just like people who sit for the sommelier exam. In this blind tasting, you are asked to sample all six wines for a chance to test your own ability to identify the age of the wine, name of the grape, and country of origin. Guess all six wines correctly and your $30 flight is free.

The partners also plan to eventually offer educational programming with wine classes, tastings, and winemaker’s talks, in addition to a serious wine club, which will offer several tiers so you can afford to swirl, sip, and savor at any level.

That is something else that is unusual about Vintage ’78, although this place offers one of the most thoughtful wine lists in town which can be sampled by the pour, half glass, or full glass, the prices are quite reasonable for the quality of wine they are serving. It is all part of their grand strategy to build Vintage ’78 into your consideration set. They may be doing away with the pretense of wine, but not the expertise they share about it.

Don’t let the fact that Vintage ’78 is a wine bar stop you from ordering a cocktail, either, as Downes is a terrific craft-cocktail bartender and responsible for the classic cocktail list. She is also happy to make something special if she has the ingredients on hand.

A New York Sour cocktail might just be the perfect cocktail to order at a wine bar, because it is basically a whiskey sour, with a float of fruity red wine on top. It is a drink that is colorful, tart, and sweet with a silky texture from the egg white, and just the thing to up your home bartending skills. vintage78winebar.com

New York Sour

2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon

1 ounce lemon juice

.75 ounce simple syrup

.

5 ounce red wine

1 egg white*

1 dash of Angostura Bitters

Combine whiskey (they use Rittenhouse Rye), lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura, and egg white in a shaker. Shake without ice until emulsified then add ice and shake briefly to chill. Strain into rocks glass over ice. Float a fruity red wine (like malbec) by pouring gently over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface of the drink.

*The cocktail can be made without egg white, either by swapping out aquafaba or omitting altogether.

Flavor IN KC

BY Jenny Vergara

HEMMA HEMMA

BORN AND RAISED in Kansas City, Ashley Bare attended culinary school in New York before returning home to work as a private chef and teach cooking classes before starting her own top-notch meal delivery service, Hemma Hemma, named after the Swedish word that means “at home.” Now, she plans to take the same fresh, seasonal, and nourishing dishes she makes for Hemma Hemma and turn them into her rst restaurant concept in addition to continuing her doorstep delivery service. e restaurant will open by late summer in the former District Pour House + Kitchen location in e Romanelli Shops in Waldo. e 5,000-square-foot space is being designed in partnership with Midwest & Co. with a cozy, colorful, home-like atmosphere that will include a main dining room, instructional kitchen for classes, co ee bar, marketplace with grab-and-go meals, outdoor seating, and a private basement party room available to rent. hemmahemma.com

BY Jenny Vergara

2016 MAIN EVENT SPACE AND ART GALLERY

THE OWNERS OF WESTPORT CAFÉ, Kevin Mouhot, Nicolas Mermet, and Romain Monnoyeur, are bringing their distinctive French avor and cocktail expertise to a new Crossroads Art District event space. e trio has purchased the 2016 Main Event Space and Art Gallery located in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District. Located right on the streetcar line, the event space features exposed red-brick walls with charming architectural details, but with all the modern amenities and contemporary luxuries clients would expect. e space has room for a 200-person seated dinner or a 240-person reception-style event. It’s now available to rent for a wide variety of both big and small events, such as weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, and holiday parties. Additionally, they will also o er a variety of unique culinary experiences like curated craft-cocktail happy hours, themed experience dinners, and cocktail classes hosted by Westport Café’s cocktail catering business, Sidecar. 2016mainkc.com

FUN IN A MILLION

Outdoor entertaining season is upon us, so let the Greensman transform your space into a fun, one-in-a-million wonderland uniquely tailored just for you. The Greensman is a full-service landscape design, installation & maintenance company. Call today to schedule a consultation.

Outdoor entertaining season is upon us, so let the Greensman transform your space into a fun, one-in-a-million wonderland uniquely tailored just for you. The Greensman is a full-service landscape design, installation & maintenance company. Call today to schedule a consultation.

(816) 523-1516 www.thegreensman.com

Adventures for all ages: 30-50 foot high tree-to-tree crossings, ziplines, Tarzan swings, axe throwing, and escape rooms.

Experience live music under the starlit sky, as melodies fill the garden every Wednesday night from 6 to 8 pm!

Enjoy

Welcome

National WWI Museum and Memorial

Visit the most comprehensive collection of WWI objects in the world and learn about the people behind the stories.

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay up to date on Greater Kansas City Attractions Association

Colonial Gardens

Go Ape Treetop Adventure

BY Jenny Vergara

FERN BAR

BY LATE

SUMMER,

local bartender-turned-bar-owner, Bryan Arri, will have opened Fern Bar, his rst cool and casual cocktail bar, in the Crossroads Arts District, focused on serving sugarcane- and agave-based craft cocktails. Arri worked at top cocktail spots Manifesto, e Monarch Bar, and Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room before launching Fern Bar as a pop-up, hosting cocktail events while re ning both his drink recipes and message about the importance of supporting small artisanal producers making hand-crafted rum, tequila, and mezcal with a sense of place. Fern Bar will open inside the former Architectural Salvage space in the old Broadway Bank building. Working with KEM Studios on the design, Arri says the bar will have natural elements of stone, leather, and wood featuring mature cacti, agave, and sugarcane plants inside the space. Whether you like to sip your tequila or mezcal straight or prefer yours shaken up in a delicious margarita, Arri wants Fern Bar to be the shady spot you come to imbibe in. fernbarkc.com

PHOTO BY ZACH BAUMAN

Reservation for One BACARO PRIMO

by Jenny Vergara photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

Are you familiar with the term home-base restaurant? It is defined as a restaurant usually within walking distance of your home that asks little of you, yet it is always there for you. It is your favorite neighborhood joint, the place you rely on because the food and drinks are always straightforward and satisfying, and when you go, you always see someone you know from the neighborhood.

For many years, Café Europa was that kind of spot in the Crestwood Shops. Now, it has morphed into Bacaro Primo, the new Italian-American restaurant from Todd Schulte and Cory Dannehl, who only one year ago opened their sea-faring restaurant and tiny bar, Earl’s Premier near Brookside, and just like that there is a new home-base restaurant to love in Crestwood.

Italian cuisine is still considered America’s number one favorite global cuisine, which is perhaps why Schulte and Dannehl zeroed in on it for their second concept together. It is food that is easy to understand, and

even easier to love.

Bacaro Primo offers a highly stylized version of Italian American comfort food served in a small but elegant footprint. It offers lunch, happy hour, or dinner in a busy and stylish shopping center. Warm brown woods, brick, and white walls create a cozy atmosphere. The wall between the two levels was removed, which greatly expanded the bar seating by wrapping it around the opening. It has now paired New-World art and Old-Worldinspired light fixtures that give off just the perfect amount of warm light at night. All the right decorative details are there to make Bacaro Primo feel totally casual with just the right amount of class.

The cocktail bar in the front room serves a nice list of mostly Italian wines, and beer and a cocktail list that leans into its Italian roots with several spritz and a solid negroni, along with a variety of after-dinner amaros. In the main dining room, there is a full charcuterie bar where people can sit and watch them slice and serve an impressive variety of Italian cured meats and cheeses sourced from all over the world, such

as prosciutto do parma, cotto, speck, sopressata, calabrese, capicola, and nduja; and cheeses, including toma piemontese, pecorino toscano, and blue gorgonzola, along with many more.

You could easily make a whole meal out of just the meat and cheese selection here, and I assure you I will, but for my first visit I wanted to make sure we had a little bit of everything, which meant ordering all the carbs we could find on the menu.

Never fear, there are still plenty of items on the menu that don’t have carbs for you to enjoy, including several hearty salads and seasonal roasted-vegetable side dishes like Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, and broccoli. For entrées there are a 16-oz. prime KC Strip and a roasted chicken dish. We ordered none of those likely delicious dishes on our first visit, i.e., see carb-lovers mention above.

While checking out the menu, we started with a snack of tasty fried green olives served with an aioli that just gilded the lily, along with a round of cocktails that I highly recommend (Amalfi Spritz made with vodka, limoncello, and prosecco for me and a Porch Light made with rum, cardoon amaro, and fig for him).

Next, the house salad was just as advertised on the menu, “an obligatory, delicious Italian-American restaurant-style salad.” The prosciutto and burrata were more inspiring, with slices of fresh peaches perched on top of thin slices of ham with a generous sphere of creamy burrata cheese in the middle. The fruit is the key, as it provides something sweet to wrap the ham around before topping it with a silky piece of fresh burrata cheese, creating the perfect bite.

Our order of hearth-baked focaccia came next, and it had a secret. It came to the table filled with a gooey melted cheese in the middle and ate like a fluffy grilled cheese sandwich served with a dipping sauce made of vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and roasted garlic. All focaccia should be so full of surprises and cheese pulls.

There are two kinds of pizza on the menu at Bacaro Primo. A regular round, thinner crust pizza made with tomato sauce and the “pinsa” or Roman-style pizza, which has an oblong shape and thicker crust. We ordered the pinsa, where the toppings change daily, and were treated to Italian ham and pesto with both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The pizza came to the table cut into six pieces and it was like eating a flatbread with a chewier crust.

The savory portion of our meal ended with the entrée-size fritto misto di mare, which came with nice-sized shrimp, tender calamari rings, thin lemon slices, and zucchini all breaded and fried and served with a red chili aioli for dipping. It’s the perfect dish for a casual shared plate with friends.

Too full to eat dessert there, I ordered it to go. But somehow by the time we got home, we were ready for something sweet. Standing in our kitchen with spoons in hand, we dipped into the salted and malted chocolate budino, which was topped with both hazelnut crumb and Amarena cherries, and a slice of limoncello cake filled with mascarpone cheese that was more savory than sweet and served with a side of blackberry caramel. Neither the toppings nor caramel sauce were needed for either dessert, they just muddied the clean flavors of each.

Just as with Earl’s Premier, Bacaro Primo is a great example of a small, stylish everyday spot located in a busy neighborhood that offers friendly service and delicious dishes that don’t break the bank. I think Schulte and Dannehl are onto something with this restaurant model. Call it “premier” or “primo,” all I know is that I am looking forward to seeing many more “firsts” from this restaurant dream team. bacaroprimo.com

Kansas City Sports Awards

Presented by Populous

ON THURSDAY, June 8, at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, The Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation honored outstanding individuals for their commitment to, and achievement in, sports. The benefits of sports are longstanding, and this awards banquet celebrates all the positive aspects of sports. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events

All the lovable elements of brunch in one creative and engaging event. Mimosas and mission-driven stories are on the menu!

PLUS:

Pre-brunch coffee reception for sponsors $5,000+ AND Midday cabaret at Nighthawk ($75 buy-up option available now!)

8.26.23

Faces IN KC

Bra Couture

TOGETHER WE CAN was the theme for the 2023 Bra Couture Fashion Show and Auction, which took place on April 26 at the Downtown Airport. The annual event showcases eclectic work-of-art bras modeled by breast cancer survivors to celebrate their triumph over cancer. Funds raised provide life-empowering services to uninsured and underinsured people in Kansas City who have been touched by all types of cancer. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events.

Art Pop

GUESTS WERE INVITED to be aMUSEd at this interactive, progressive campus party that brought guests into the studios and buildings of the Kansas City Art Institute. Costumed performers, roving bands, and roller-skating dancers entertained guests who enjoyed curated bites and cocktails as they played lawn games, met young artists, and purchased student art. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events.

photos by brian rice

photos courtesy of kcai

Derby Party

SEVENTIES ATTIRE, ranging from ’70s summer camp to ’70s sophisticated chic, was in order at this year’s themed fundraiser for the Kansas City Museum. Festivities on the historic grounds included Southern-inspired food, cocktails, yard games, live music by Boogie Nights KC, and best-dressed and best-hat competitions. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events.

photos by picwood kc

Karrie’s essentials...

CREDIT CARD DAMAGE: ere are always treasures to nd at Golden + Pine! Really cool to see KC on the map with the brands that Stephanie has chosen to stock her store— upcoming and current designers that you can’t nd at the big-box stores. All the products have been chosen with purpose.

SUMMER OUTING: e rose garden at Loose Park is my favorite summer place to visit. When it reaches full bloom, it’s over owing with the thick, heavy scent of classic roses.

by Emily Laptad

KARRIE DEAN

DESIGNER. ENTREPRENEUR. MOM

When Karrie Dean was laid o from her corporate job, she didn’t want to jump to just another job; she wanted to do something that meant something special to her. “ e puzzle pieces were always there: an innate love for color, pattern, and textiles; two parents who ran small businesses; and a drive for curiosity, independence, and freedom,” Dean says. “It was just uncertain how it would all weave together.” While the kiddos napped, she would spend all her free time tapping into her creative side to master graphic design and learn how to run a business. e result? Happy Habitat by Karrie Dean. She launched her small business by pairing bright colors with bold patterns and textures to create one-of-a-kind throws and blankets. Dean’s home base is Roeland Park, providing ample opportunity to explore the KC metro. “I love my little Roeland Park neighborhood,” she says. “It’s safe and cozy with kind, down-to-earth neighbors, but still just a ve-minute drive to all that the Crossroads and Downtown have to o er—all the bene ts of urban life, but with an authentic white-picket-fence attitude.” happyhabitat.com

SMELLS LIKE HOME: Ulah’s Prairie is my fave local fragrance—it’s fresh, earthy, and casual.

LOCAL MAKER: Chentell from Convivial Production. I’ve been lucky to receive some awesome experiments from her, but I think my favorite is her Geodesic Fruit Bowl—modern and functional, it’s beautifully made and makes a statement on my kitchen counter. It also makes a special gift to send to out-of-town friends!

LOCAL BITE: I might be addicted to the molé at Taqueria Mexico. It’s a problem. Sit at the bar and you’re a quick regular. I think I’m there like once a week.

REFRESHER: Clean Green from Filling Station treat myself when I have to run errands. I love watching them throw, like, ten pounds of real fruits and vegetables into it—and the bright color delights me! It feels like I’m getting a super dose of healthy vitamins, but also feels like a dessert at the same time.

The is how I

SELF-CARE SESH: Sipping a cappuccino from the cute little co ee bar at Family Tree Nursery and wandering through their extraordinary selection of plants is my happy place. It’s lush and tropical and always feels like you’ve landed on a di erent planet.

photo by lane miller

Sometimes a clean look is all you need to feel refreshed. Simple, contemporary pieces, like the Japandi inspired furnishings shown here, create a relaxed aesthetic perfect for mixed-use spaces.