the keals

A&E | 22 Design by Sophie Lecuru March 5, 2020 STAYCATION in CLAIRE FRANKE reporter/photographer Some of the popular places students remaining in town can visit over spring break

AA popular hangout spot among students is Cause Cof- fee, located off of 83rd Street in De Soto. The coffee shop opened in March 2018 in a rehabbed building previously vacated by a church. Cause Coffee is a nonprofit, and their mission is to raise money to give back to charities around the world. The charities donate to help kids and orphans in need in places like Mexico, Nicaragua and Uganda. The shop offers menu items that range from coffees to pastries with organic, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and paleo options. Sophomore Ella Lorfing enjoys visiting Cause Coffee because of the atmosphere.

“It just gives good vibes as soon as you walk in,” Lorfing said. “The people there are wonderful.”

The Lenexa City Center is a new addition to our area that is a popular spot to go to. Built along 87th Street Parkway and I-435, the area is a short drive away. The area includes food spots like Culver’s, Silo Modern Farmhouse and Ignite Wood Fire Grill; it’s also near the local Lenexa City Center Library, nu- merous shops, an art museum located inside the newly relocated City Hall, and the Lenexa Rec Center, which houses a pool, gym and walking track. Senior Nico Gatapia likes to visit because of the close proximity and wide variety of things to do.

“You don’t have to just go to buy food, there’s a lot you could do,” Gata

Located in downtown De Soto, Cause Coffee is a locally owned coffee shop that offers a variety of drinks and food options. | Andrew Tow

Cause Coffee is slightly over ten miles away from Mill Valley, making it a quick drive for most students to go get delicious food and drinks while supporting a good cause.

“Cause Coffee is very affordable,” Lorfing said. “I take my friends here to

pia said. “You can study, you can go to lunch or you could just walk around or look at the art museum.”

The City Center, though still new, has already earned many accolades such as being named “Best New study and just to hang out because of the environment.”

Cause Coffee is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cause Coffee is an 18-minute drive from Mill Valley, but definitely worth the travel to help kids in need.

The Lenexa Public Market is a unique place to get a bite to eat or shop at the locally owned booths. Restaurants like Chewology and Mad Man’s KC BBQ offer good cuisine at the market. | Andrew Tow

Hang” spot in Kansas City for the 435 Magazine.

As for a place to stop, Gatapia recommends Mad Man’s KC BBQ. “They have really good food, liquid nitrogen ice cream too.” Gatapia said.

A&E 23 JagWire DRIVING The time it takes to reach each staycation destination from Mill Valley CAUSE COFFEE LENEXA CITY MARKET MASSACHUSETTS STREET MONTICELLO LIBRARY 18 minutes 12 minutes 33 minutes 5 minutes source: Google Maps

Massachusetts Street in Law- rence, Kansas is a a cool place to go staying nearby while on a budget. Along the street, which is located just east of the campus of the University of Kansas, there are restaurants, stores to shop at, and parks. Popular locations include Burger Stand, a restaurant that sells burgers, hot dogs and fries; The Granada, a historic theater and concert venue; South Park, a park that surrounds both sides of the street and is the oldest park in the city of Lawrence; and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, a shop that sells popular street tacos. Sophomore Soledad Stevanov enjoys going to buy affordable thrift clothing from Arizona Trading Company, eating out at the numerous restaurants or just walking around

The Monticello Library is a place where many students regularly hang out after school or on the weekends to be productive and get homework done. The library, which opened in August 2018, boasts an in- credible modern design and includes many amenities such as office space, Mac computers, photocopiers, print- ers and self-checkout stations. The library is located just over a mile from Mill Valley, which makes it a popular hangout place after school or on early release days.

Junior Cali Rhodes enjoys visiting the library as a quiet place to get work done. “It’s a nice environment where you can get things done,” Rhodes said.

Massachusetts street in Lawrence Kansas offers a variety of shops and restaurants such as Love Garden Sounds and The Burger Stand. | Andrew Tow

with her friends or family.

“My favorite thing about Massachusetts Street is the proximity to Shawnee,” Stevanov said. “It may seem far, but Lawrence is just close enough to go for the day and chill.”

Lawrence is known for being one

“It’s also a nice place to hang out with the office rooms and open space.”

Along with studying and hanging out, a Johnson County library card is also available to apply for free of cost to browse and check out books at any of the best college towns in the nation, and Massachusetts Street is not only close in proximity to the campus but is the main street for the town. The area is open daily, but tends to be busier on weekends. Young adults and teens are among the main weekly visitors.

The Monticello location of the Johnson County libraries is a great place to meet friends over spring break. The location offers both indoor and outdoor seating. | Andrew Tow

Johnson County library branch. There are 14 locations around the county, with closer locations in Shawnee near the civic center and in Lenexa, DeSoto, Olathe and Overland Park. The library offers books, movies and CDs.