Explore Liberty March 2016
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CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Explore Liberty is published by the Liberty Tribune in partnership with Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. and the City of Liberty. The City of
Table of Contents
M ES S AGE FRO M T HE MAY O R ......................... . . . . . . . . . .4 H I S TORY & HERITA GE ..................................... . . . . . . . . .5 PAPER T RA ILS .............................................. . . . . . . . . . 8 ARTS , CULT URE & ENT ERTA INMENT ................. . . . . . . . . 10 I N TH E LIMELIGHT ......................................... . . . . . . . 14
Photographs contributed by Explore Liberty! Community Partners and Liberty Tribune Archives
B U S I N E SS DIRECT O RY .................................... . . . . . . . 16 C ALEN DA R O F EVENT S .................................. . . . . . . . 18 LI B ERTY A REA MA P ....................................... . . . . . . . . 20 A C H ANGING LA NDSCA PE ............................. . . . . . . . 22
104 N. Main St. • Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-4941 • www.LibertyTribune.com Publisher ................................. Sandy Nelson Editor ...........................................Amy Neal Editorial Contributors ................... Ryne Dittmer, Chris Geinosky, Kellie Houx
ED U C AT IO N ................................................ . . . . . . . . 27 PAR K S A ND RECREAT IO N .............................. . . . . . . . . 30 A B AR KIN’ GO O D T IME .................................. . . . . . . . 34 AR EA CIVIC INFO RMAT IO N ............................ . . . . . . . . 36 R OB B ERY LEGA CY LIVES O N ............................ . . . . . . . 38
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A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Founded in 1822, the city of Liberty is named for one of the bedrock principles Americans hold dear. And, for nearly 200 years, people have been experiencing Americana at its best right here in the heart of the Heartland. As we prepare for the next 100 years, 2016 and 2017 will be a transformative time for the city of Liberty. Liberty Commons — an $80 million 320,000-square-foot retail and dining development — is now under construction near the western Interstate 35 gateway to our city. Liberty residents and visitors will soon enjoy significantly expanded retail offerings, including new stores, restaurants, a Marriott hotel and easy access to the soon-to-be-constructed $15 million to $20 million 50,000-square-foot B&B Theatres complex. The historic downtown Liberty area, surrounded by a multitude of well-preserved homes and landmarks, is recognized as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Communities, one of only six in Missouri. The city is investing $5 million in the historic downtown area to preserve the infrastructure and upgrade the streetscape, making it more pedestrian friendly, all while being sensitive to the historic atmosphere. Construction-related disruptions to the local businesses will be minimized as much as possible, but please pardon our dust, visit regularly to witness the progress firsthand and patronize the steadfast downtown merchants. Dedicated to the perfect blend of old and new, our heritage is complimented by the vibrancy of unique shops, museums, historic sites and a variety of restaurants. The atmosphere is friendly — a perfect place to relax and explore at your own pace. Frankly, if you can’t find it in Liberty, you probably didn’t need it anyway! Inside Explore Liberty! you’ll find a sampling of what our community has to offer those who come spend a day, a week or a lifetime. Be sure to peruse the Explore Liberty! events calendar, as it highlights many of the festivals and events that attract residents and visitors alike throughout the year. Become a regular at our award-winning farmers’ market or take in the monthly Jazz on the Square concert at the Corbin Theatre. There is something for everyone, so mark your calendar now and plan to take part in one or more of these wonderful experiences. There is also an abundance of recreational and cultural activities planned throughout the year. Liberty’s Parks &
Recreation Department offers a wide variety of programs and events for all ages. There is always something going on at the Liberty Community Center, Fountain Bluff Sports Complex and at the many gymnasiums, parks and trails around town. The Corbin Theatre, Symphony Orchestra, Community Band, Community Chorus and the fine arts and athletic departments of William Jewell College and Liberty Public Schools all provide enjoyable and worthwhile events at a very reasonable cost. History buffs will enjoy the monthly, free walking tours highlighting Liberty’s historic features. Offered on the first
Experience the
Renaissance!
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Saturday from May through October, the tours are led by a variety of volunteers and local experts and feature a different topic each month. The tours are a favorite among history and architecture buffs across the metropolitan area. Education and health care are proud hallmarks of the Liberty community. Liberty Public Schools, the second fastest growing school district in the state, is consistently recognized among the top high performing districts by the state of Missouri. William Jewell College is a NCAA Division II liberal arts institution regularly honored by national publications such as U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. Well-regarded Liberty Hospital is a state-of-the-art 250-bed regional hospital with more than 300 physicians covering all medical specialties. Whatever experience you are looking for — stopping by for a few hours, visiting for a day or settling into a place you can call home — you’re sure to find it in Liberty. I encourage you to Explore Liberty! and experience for yourself the renaissance that’s underway! Best wishes, Mayor Lyndell Brenton
Explore Liberty
HISTORY & HERITAGE
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resent-day Liberty was first established in the early 1800s during an unprecedented wave of western migration. The settlement became the Clay County seat in 1822 and before the end of the decade was incorporated as a town, making it the second oldest incorporated town west of the Mississippi River. A little more than two decades later, in 1851, Liberty — covering one square mile with the courthouse at the physical center of town — was granted its first charter. The name “Liberty” was inspired by patriotic sentiment. As a tribute to the city’s commitment to its rich history, Liberty was designated a Preserve America community in 2007. Residents and visitors alike can connect with Liberty’s heritage through local
Going west on Kansas Street
Kansas Street
and national historic districts, historical museums, and regular guided historythemed tours, among other activities.
followers were being chased from the state of Missouri, the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and six of his followers were kept at Liberty Jail for five months. While imprisoned in late 1838 and early 1839, Smith received three revelations that are included in the faith’s Doctrine and Covenants today.
LIBERTY JAIL HISTORIC SITE
Among the historical figures whose timelines intertwine with Liberty’s early days is prophet Joseph Smith. During the Mormon War, a time when church
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LIBERTY HISTORY & HERITAGE
CLAY COUNTY MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
JESSE JAMES BANK MUSEUM
On Feb. 13, 1866, the James gang completed the first successful daylight bank robbery during peacetime in the country’s history at the Clay County Savings Bank in downtown Liberty. The robbery resulted in the loss of $60,000 and left one man dead. The bank is still standing and open for tours as the Jesse James Bank Museum, 103 N. Water St. To contact the museum, call 816-7368510. Another Clay County historic site with ties to the local infamous outlaw, the Jesse James Farm & Museum east of Kearney, is where Frank and Jesse lived. Visitors can view galleries of artifacts and take a guided tour inside the house where Jesse was born. There is an admission fee. To contact the museum, call 816736-8500. 6
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CLAY COUNTY ARCHIVES & HISTORICAL LIBRARY
The Clay County Archives and Historical Library, 210 E. Franklin St., has been collecting records since 1979. The archives has accumulated hundreds of thousands of records, photographs, maps, family histories, history books and other documents. Donations of materials that would be of interest to historians are always being sought, as are volunteers. Contact the archives at 816-7813611 or info@claycountyarchives.org. For more information, visit online at www. claycountyarchives.org.
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The jail site at 216 N. Main St. is now a visitor’s center that includes a reconstruction of the space where Smith was held. It is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, call the jail site at 816-781-3188.
Located in the heart of downtown in the county seat at 14 N. Main St., the Clay County Museum and Historical Society offers a wide variety of exhibits and activities. In existence since 1965, the museum is located in a historic building that has always previously housed drugstores. A tribute to its past, “Dr. Goodson X-Ray” appears on one of the second-story windows. Activities offered to the community include presentations and study groups. The museum and historical society also hosts an annual homes tour, a picnic and trivia nights. Contact the museum at 816-792-1849 or visit www.claycountymuseum.org for more information.
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LIBERTY HISTORY & HERITAGE
A grassroots effort started in 2000, the present-day Clay County African American Legacy Consortium Inc. is dedicated to educating and informing the community about the history and influence of African-Americans in Clay County. The CCAAL offices are housed in the Garrison School building, which the incorporated organization bought from Liberty Public Schools in 2003. Established in 1877 as Liberty’s only African-American school, Garrison earned a reputation for being the best school for African-American students in the state. Now known as the Garrison School Cultural Center, it was named in honor of William Lloyd Garrison, an abolitionist who served in President Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet. Listed on national, state and local registries as a historic landmark, Garrison hosts community events, exhibits, and educational and recreational activities, including Juneteenth and Kwanzaa celebrations. A Freedom Tree is lit each December, and in recent years National African American Read-In activities have been held February. Through the years, CCAAL has sponsored a variety of projects, including ongoing beautification efforts at Garrision, the installation of an 8-by-10-foot mural on the third floor of the current Clay County Administration Building in 2003, the dedication of the Freedom Fountain Monument in 2001 on the lawn of the old Clay County Courthouse, a mentoring program for high school students, and an early literacy program.
CEMETERIES
Mt. Memorial Cemetery was the first cemetery established in Clay County other than family burial grounds and has been in continuous use from the early 1820s to the present. In the summer of 2012, it was
LIBERTY TRIBUNE
Since 1846, the Liberty Tribune has been operating under the motto, “Willing to praise but not afraid to blame.” It is one of the oldest continuously published newspapers west of the Mississippi River. Located just off the downtown square at 104 N. Main St., the Tribune traces its lineage to founder Robert Hugh Miller, who was just 19 when the newspaper’s first edition rolled off the presses. He owned the paper for 39 years. The Tribune’s current owner, St. Joseph-based News-Press &
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fairview Cemetery was established in 1857 and was so named because it overlooked the fairgrounds to the south, where during the Civil War, Union soldiers camped on the grounds. In 1901, the old fairgrounds were acquired by the city to extend the cemetery. A contest was held to name the new cemetery, and the name “New Hope” was chosen. Gazette Co., purchased the newspaper in 2004. The Tribune’s print edition hits the streets and subscriber mailboxes each Thursday, and additional community news can be found online daily at www.LibertyTribune.com. To contact the newsroom or sales staff, call 816-781-4941. Email news tips to libtrib@libertytribune.com. Readers can also find the Tribune on Twitter (@libertytribune) and on Facebook (LibertyNews).
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By Ryne Dittmer Documents, books and maps lining shelves around the Clay County Archives and Historical Library hold treasures waiting to be found. That’s how its volunteers like to speak about the collection occupying the building — otherwise known as the Frank Hughes Memorial Library — at 210 E. Franklin St., a block east of the Liberty Square. Incorporated in 1979 for the purpose of preserving county records and other historical
materials, today the archives is the home for closed Clay County probate files; a collection of more than 10,000 photographs; birth, death, marriage and cemetery records; land abstracts; genealogy books; and thousands more documents detailing both Liberty and Clay County back to their foundings in 1822. “We’re so fortunate that we have the building here to house this stuff,” volunteer and Board of Directors member Keith Nelson said. “What’s really unique is, think about the history of Clay County. This was the end of the world, the end of the United States here, so this is where people started coming and settling. We have probably the richest history of any of the counties around.”
Paper trails Archives collection traces city history to settlers’ first days
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After being established, Liberty was named seat of Clay County, entrenching its history with that of the greater county. Their interwoven stories are illustrated in the volumes of Clay County Court records preserved at the archives. “The county court records has been a pretty valuable asset to us, and it’s pretty significant historically,” volunteer Tony Meyers said. “What it is, is it started the beginning of the county in 1822 and it was literally the minutes and the decisions and the orders made by the court, and it has proven to be a really great resource to
Check it out Address: 210 E. Franklin St. Phone: 816-781-3611 Website: www.claycountyarchives.org Email: info@claycountyarchives.org Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 6:30 to 9 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month; closed on holidays and during Christmas week
go back and understand a lot about the history of the county.” Clasped in a ledger of burgundy and gold, the opening passage references the acts establishing Clay County and its judicial districts and courts approved by the Missouri legislature. From there, the book lists the establishment of the first county courthouse, land for schools, townships and roads. Volunteer Kevin Fisher may know the nearly 200-year-old records best of all. “I went through 1822 to 1900 (volumes) and extracted everything that’s in there. It’s like living back in those times sometimes,” Fisher said. “The whole book is just full of whatever happened.” Like all items in the archives’ possession, the court records have been indexed, simplifying the search process. “It’s all cross-referenced. So if you’re looking for John Doe, you’ll find that he was a juror in a particular civil case, he built a road so he’s in here, he may have owned a property … all that is all brought together. So that’s the real value when you’re looking up not just people, but places,” Archives President Stuart Elliott said. “They’re not just names on a page.” The entire collection is available for visitors, whether just stopping by or researching a specific topic, and archives volunteers are always present to assist any way they can. “The volunteers that come in week after week, we do it because we enjoy
it, we love history and we learn. Every week I walk out of here going, ‘That was really cool. I learned 15 new things today,’” Meyers said. “The pleasure I get out of it and why I keep coming back is the learning, but also anything that we document, anything that we organize, anything that we index and we publish is now captured and it’s not
lost. History goes away, it diminishes, it sinks into the ground its gone, and if we can (we want to) keep that from happening or resurrect something that’s gone. We’re constantly in this quest to find things. Where was that? Let’s go look at it. Is it still there? If it is, let’s make it visible. That to me is very rewarding.”
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ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE
LIBERTY ARTS COMMISSION
About a decade ago, Liberty took steps to propel the arts forward and created the Liberty Arts Commission. The organization’s goal is to serve as a catalyst — to support, sustain and strengthen the community by increasing awareness, opportunities and public involvement in local arts and cultural activities. The group is active in the community, planning public art displays. Currently, there are three exhibit spaces in the community — Liberty City Hall, 101 E. Kansas St.; the Liberty branch of the MidContinent Public Library, 1000 Kent St.; and the Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. Many of the exhibits feature local artists or artists connected to the city. The commission also maintains an arts calendar of events on the city’s website and usually co-sponsors the annual Liberty Arts Squared Festival in June. However, the start of downtown reconstruction has impacted the scheduled activities around the Liberty Square and the group decided to temporarily suspend the festival for 2016. For information about local artist news and exhibits, sign up for notifications through the Liberty Arts News Flash on the city website, libertymissouri.gov.
LIBERTY ARTS FOUNDATION
The Liberty Arts Foundation is a separate nonprofit charitable organization created in 2011 and committed to supporting all art-related endeavors that benefit Liberty residents. As funding becomes available through private donations and grants, the foundation supports the projects of the Arts Commission, the Liberty Symphony, the Community Chorus, Corbin Theater and other arts-focused organizations and individuals. Currently, organization leaders are interviewing sculptors for a figure to be located at the proposed China Slaughter Reading Park at the northwest corner of Mill and Gallatin streets adjacent to the Franklin Elementary School building. Slaughter was a beloved school crossing guard for more 10
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than three decades. He also was a custodial supervisor for the local school district. Visit https://libertyartsfoundation. wordpress.com for more information.
The LPAT now offers open band rehearsals, which provide time and space for progressive ensembles to rehearse in a professional environment and also be heard by an audience — with no required LIBERTY PERFORMING charge to either players or listeners. ARTS THEATRE Located inside the Liberty Community The 700-seat Liberty Performing Arts Center at 1600 S. Withers Road, the Theatre hosts a plethora of events produced LPAT offers excellent acoustics, is one by the Liberty Symphony Orchestra, of the largest stages in the area, and is Corbin Theatre Company, Liberty Public the only professional live performance Schools, Natural Build Fitness, dance venue in the Kansas City Northland. To studios and other local and national see what’s happening at the theater or to organizations. The theater recently had check out rental information, visit http:// several upgrades to lighting and sound, libertymissouri.gov/37/Liberty-Performingwhich has added to its marketability. Arts-Theatre.
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ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE SUMMER BAND
The Liberty Summer Band, which is an all-volunteer group of approximately 80 musicians, annually performs three free concerts during the month of June plus a performance in conjunction with the Liberty4thFest, the community’s Fourth of July celebration. The June concerts are scheduled on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in front of the James S. Rooney Justice Center, 11 S. Water St. Concertgoers should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. In case of rain, concerts are held at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, 1600 S Withers Road. To check out concert dates and times, visit http:// mo-liberty.civicplus.com/1500/LibertySummer-Band.
LIBERTY4THFEST
Liberty4thFest celebrates Independence Day each year with food, fun and fireworks. With planned construction on the Liberty Square, 2016 festivities will move to Fountain Bluff for the car show and barbecue contest. The city of Liberty, the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce and other supporting partners make this event possible. Visit www.liberty4thfest. com for more information.
educational concert for area youth at the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre. This year, The Corbin Theatre Company, located the symphony added a free community downtown at 15 N. Water St., is Liberty’s concert at the Woodneath Library Center. official community theater. The theater For concert dates and ticket information, features numerous theatrical performances visit www.libertysymphony.org. throughout the year, as well as regular live jazz nights and other events. To contact the theater, call 816-529-4988 or email info@ LIBERTY COMMUNITY CHORUS corbintheatre.org. For more information The Liberty Community Chorus, and a schedule of events, visit www. officially the city’s chorus after receiving corbintheatre.org. the designation in 2015, features the musical talents of a mixed choir open to LIBERTY SYMPHONY singers 16 and older. Bryan Taylor of the ORCHESTRA Grammy-winning Kansas City Chorale For more than four decades, the directs the decade-old chorus, which Liberty Symphony Orchestra has presented performs concerts in both the fall and the best in classical and pop music, and spring. The nonprofit chorus is funded featured local musicians and composers. through member dues, ticket sales and The symphony presents a series of donor support. For more information, visit four regular concerts annually and an www.libertycommunitychorus.org.
CORBIN THEATRE
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Held on the fourth full weekend in September — this year Sept. 23 to 25 — the Liberty Fall Festival brings about 200 vendors, carnival rides, a parade, local entertainment and much more to historic downtown Liberty. This year marks the 40th annual event. Festivalgoers can get their fill of giant turkey legs, footlong corndogs, homemade root beer and funnel cakes, all while perusing vendors selling anything and everything. The Downtown Farmers Market rounds out the festivities with its beautiful displays of fall pumpkins, mums and veggies for sale. The event, organized by the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, traces its roots back to 1934 with ties to 4-H in Clay County and homecoming activities at William Jewell College. Visit www.libertyfallfest.com for more information.
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LIBERTY ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Lydia Lovan Community School of Music has offered private music lessons to students of all ages in the community for more than 40 years. Instructors have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in music. William Jewell College student teachers who are on their way to earning their music degree are approved to teach for the program by the music faculty at William Jewell College. During the school year, recitals are offered monthly and are open to all participants in the program. These recitals are free for participants and for audience members. For more details, visit www.jewell.edu/music/community-schoolof-music.
KANSAS CITY ZOO
In 2011, voters in Clay and Jackson counties approved a one-eighth-cent sales tax to benefit the Kansas City Zoo, located in Kansas City’s Swope Park. With the taxes, the zoo has added a new tiger exhibit, improvements to the orangutan exhibit and penguins. Annually, the zoological tax districts raise $13.5 million for the zoo, which offers exclusive benefits for residents of the two counties, including free admission days, discounted Friends of the Zoo memberships, reduced daily admission, access to Zoomobile programming, free school field trips and a specialized classroom curriculum. For more information, visit www.kansascityzoo.org.
PUBLIC ART
Great Americans Project: The first of what city officials hope one day will be a collection of statues in The Great Americans Project was unveiled in the summer of
2013. The life-size bronze statue of George Washington debuted at a park on the corner of Mill and South Leonard streets. Former Mayor Greg Canuteson has led the efforts for the art initiative with the Great Americans Project Board. Organizers hope to eventually create a walking trail lined with the life-size sculptures of great Americans. The next statue is expected to be unveiled this spring at the corner of Kansas and Missouri streets. Kinetic wind sculptures: Commissioned by the Liberty Arts Commission, six kinetic wind sculptures add to the landscape of two roundabouts — on College Street between Conistor Street and Blue Jay Drive — to improve the appearance of this highly visible retail location. The sculptures were created by internationally known artist Lyman Whitaker. The organic forms of each unique piece are sculpted in metal, which is designed to patina over time and move gently in the wind. Bottle Tree: First unveiled at the 2013 Juneteenth celebration, the Bottle Tree at Garrison School Cultural Center is an 800-pound steel sculpture created by Liberty resident and Shaped Steel owner Robert Evans. Bottle trees hold an interesting place in African-American history and tradition. Traced to the Bakongo people of the African Congo,
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MURALS
A series of murals, each paying tribute to the area’s history and heritage, decorates downtown Liberty — indoors and outdoors. Lewis & Clark Mural: This exterior painting at Water and Mill streets commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Artist: David McClain. Justice Center Mural: Each scene in this outdoor collection of murals illustrates a different aspect of Clay County history. Artist: Matthew Monks; tiles made by Ron Taylor. Liberty, The Heritage Years: Significant events in Liberty’s history, including the arrival of early settlers at Liberty Landing, decorate the Council Chamber where today’s city leaders meet at City Hall. Artist: Eric J. Bransby.
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it was thought that the glass bottles would capture evil forces. Africans of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade brought the bottle tree to the Americas. According to folklore, the trees would trap prowling evil spirits after dusk then vaporize them in the heat of the morning sunlight. The Pencil: Even though its primary purpose is not decorative, a telecommunications tower brightens the Liberty skyline. Artistic and functional, a 100-foot metal tower northwest of downtown Liberty has been painted to look like a giant yellow No. 2 pencil.
Enjoy life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... In an 1889 Victorian in the Kansas City metropolitan area
LIBERTY ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
As seen at City Hall: Public art featured in documentary series
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rtist Eric Bransby had not been to Liberty in more than three decades. Then last November, he returned to see his mural that hangs in the Liberty City Hall council chambers. The 99-year-old artist arrived in his wheelchair and remained at a distance to take in the scope of the mural. “Liberty, the Heritage Years” was painted in 1983. The return trip to Liberty wasn’t necessarily out of nostalgia, but rather a chance for director Jay Kriss to have the ultimate primary source for a documentary that focuses on Bransby’s life and works. The film is a part of a series under production by Backdrop America Pictures, Kriss’ company and Public Television. It will air beginning this fall nationally through American Public Television.
Clay County Administration Building Murals: A massive piece of art — 28 feet wide by 8 feet tall — depicting Clay County history adorns the interior of the third floor of the county administrative center and former courthouse. Another mural shows a former POW camp that was in Liberty. The third is scene at dusk at Multnomah Plantation. The fourth, the African-American Legacy Mural, honors African-American pioneers, businesses, churches and schools that contributed to the founding of four county cities with vital African-American populations: Liberty, Excelsior Springs, North Kansas City and Missouri City. Artist: David McClain.
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LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
The Little Free Library movement has made its way to Liberty. With a “take a book, leave a book” philosophy, these whimsical containers allow the community to share literacy favorites. Stop by one of these locations to find your next must-read tale or to leave a book for the next lucky bookworm. • 429 W. Franklin St. (residential lawn) • 829 Scott Drive (residential lawn) • 101 E. Kansas St. (City Hall)
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Taylor
Belcher
Kansas City Chorale for 24 years of the group’s 34-year existence. The chorale, While notable people from Liberty along with its sister group, the Phoenix Chorale, was again up for three Grammy include Alexander Doniphan, the Awards — for Best Engineered Album, Mexican War general and attorney Producer of the Year and Best Choral for Mormon leader Joseph Smith, Performance — for “Rachmaninoff: All and sometimes notorious outlaw Jesse Night Vigil.” James, more than a few famous and Taylor also founded and conducts those at the cusp of their own fame the Liberty Community Chorus. For have strong ties to Liberty. more than 13 years, Taylor and the There have been many athletes and chorus, Liberty’s official city chorus, a few actors. Recently those making have performed concerts in the fall and their mark in the arts are rising to the spring, plus they will perform for various top of their respective fields. city events. Baritone Daniel Belcher started his training at William Jewell College. Bryan Taylor sings the opening Belcher grew up in St. Joseph and notes to the Grammy-winning recording attended the college, where he graduated of “Rachmaninoff: All Night Vigil.” The with a degree in voice in 1992. He then recording just took the 2015 Grammy pursued graduate studies at Juilliard. In Award for Best Chorale Performance. the late 1990s, he was a member of the Taylor currently serves as the Liberty Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist United Methodist Church traditional Program. He made his professional worship and arts director. opera debut with the company as Andy He’s been singing baritone with the Warhol in the world premiere of Michael
By Kellie Houx
Vocalists
Duncan Daugherty’s “Jackie O.” He has been part of PBS’s “Great Performances” recording of “Little Women,” for which he sang the role of John Brooke. During the 2008-2009 season, Belcher returned to the Lyric Opera of Kansas City to sign the role of Marcello in “La boheme.” He won his first Grammy in 2011 in the category of Best Opera Recording for his work on “Saariaho: L’Amour de Loin,” alongside conductor Kent Nagano, Ekaterina Lekhina, MarieAnge Todorovitch, and producer Martin Sauer.
Composer
Stewart Duncan graduated from William Jewell in the spring of 2015 with a degree in Oxbridge music history. He jumped straight into a doctoral program in musicology through the University of Indiana at Bloomington. He is happiest surrounded by music and like-minded individuals.
limelight In the
Six artists with ties to Liberty improve area, bigger world 14
Explore Liberty • March 2016
McCanna He was the resident music scholar at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City. Duncan studied with Dr. Ian Coleman and Dr. Anthony Maglione at William Jewell, as well as with Dr. Steven Grahl at New College, Oxford. His works have been premiered by the Choir of St. John’s College, Oxford; the Choir of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna; by the Concert Choir, Schola Cantorum, and Chamber Orchestra of William Jewell College; and by the Choir of Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. In the fall of 2015, Duncan had his original composition “Christus Est Vita” (Hymnus for the Feast of St. Stephen) performed at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. The singer and violinist shared the program with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his “Requiem.”
Otis
Personnett Personett has been a performer and choreographer for Spinning Tree Theatre. He spent time as a costumed performer at Busch Gardens in Florida, where he first wore the bulky and hot costume characters of Helga the Hippo and Curtis the Koala before landing dance roles. Then he was an entertainer on cruise lines. Personett returned to college at William Jewell, and after a short return to L.A., came back to Kansas City and the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre’s production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” There he met actor/singer/dancer/ director Jerry Jay Cranford. That meeting led Cranford to ask Personett if he would perform as a cast member
Writer
for the Starlight Gala, where he met Otis. The two continue to be part of the Starlight team. He also teaches dance at Ibsen Dance Theatre. Otis has been a model for various artists around town. In 2013, The Pitch named her Best Local Theater Performer, perhaps after her performance in the 2013 Coterie Ignites series show “Slashdance!” She has danced since childhood with Conservatory of Dance Education and now finds herself in demand with EPIC Entertainment. Otis has also started her own company, That’s Entertainment. The company provides motivational dancers for birthday parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate or private events.
One of America’s best colleges
Tim McCanna grew up in Liberty with visions of being a writer. Little did he know that in 2015 he would sell five manuscripts for children’s books — three to Simon & Schuster, one to Scholastic and one to Abrams. The first will be in the stores in October — “Bitty Bot,” a story about a little robot who goes to the moon and stays out past curfew. McCanna writes in rhyme, and honors much of the tone and feeling of Dr. Seuss. The Scholastic book will be titled “Jack B. Ninja.” McCanna currently lives near San Francisco with his wife and two children. He already has one book in print, “Teeny Tiny Trucks.”
(U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes,Washington Monthly, Kiplinger’s, Money, Apple Distinguished School)
Located in one of America’s best places to live (CNN/Money Magazine, Family Circle)
Dancers
Ashley Otis and Kenny Personett are performers who continue to make their impact on the city as individuals and as partners. Personett and Otis are teachers, but also sought-after performers.
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY
BED & BREAKFAST Jewell Street Bed & Breakfast 126 N Jewell St Liberty, MO 64068 816-612-7284 Stone-Yancey House Bed & Breakfast 421 N Lightburne St Liberty, MO 64068 816-415-0066 www.stoneyanceyhouse.com
APARTMENTS
DAY SPA / SALON
Westowne Apartments 1136 W College St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-1919
Salon Oasis & Day Spa 8504 N Church Rd Kansas City, MO 64157 816-415-3733 www.salonoasisanddayspa.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Corbin Theatre 15 N Water St Liberty, MO 64068 816-529-4988 www.corbintheatre.org Retro Bowl 906 W Liberty Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-1998 www.retrobowlfuncenter.com
ATTORNEY Aramjoo Law Firm 17 W Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-479-5898 www.aramjoolawfirm.com
BANKING National Bank of Kansas City 9750 N Ash Ave Kansas City, MO 64157 800-627-3999 www.bankofkc.com
DENTAL Liberty Oaks Dental Group 8291 N Booth Ave Kansas City, MO 64158 816-728-2979 www.libertyoaksdentalgroup.com
DINING Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 9800 NE Barry Rd Kansas City, MO 64157 816-792-9902 www.freddysusa.com Minsky’s Pizza 205 Missouri Highway 291 Liberty, MO 64068 816-407-9000 www.minskys.com Morning Day Café 6 E Franklin St Liberty, MO 64068 816-883-8258 www.morningdaycafe.com Rock & Run Brewery and Pub 110 E Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-415-2337 www.RockAndRunBrewery.com Texas Roadhouse 168 N Stewart Ct Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9899 www.texasroadhouse.com The Landing Eatery and Pub 1189 W Kansas St. Liberty, MO 64068 816-792-5230 www.landingeateryandpub.com
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EARLY EDUCATION / DAYCARE Liberty Christian Church Early Education Center 427 E. Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-7654 www.lcceec.org Liberty Montessori Center 1004 Middlebrook Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-6295 www.libertymontessoricenter.com Spectrum Station 3250 Ameristar Dr Kansas City, MO 64161 816-459-8000 www.spectrumstation.com
EDUCATION The Tutoring Center - Kansas City 9775 N Cedar Ave Kansas City, MO 64157 816-781-0000 www.kansascitytutoringcenter.com William Jewell College 500 College Hill Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-7700 www.jewell.edu
EVENTS Belvoir Winery 1325 Odd Fellows Road Liberty, MO 64068 816-200-1811 www.belvoirwinery.com Salt Catering 342 N Water St Liberty, MO 64068 816-721-9960 www.saintjamesevents.com White Hydrangea 34 S Main St Liberty, MO 64089 816-429-6845 www.white-hydrangea.com
FARMERS MARKET Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market Historic Square Liberty, MO 64068 816-581-6523 www.HistoricDowntownLiberty.org
FRAME SHOP
Four Corners Framed Art 112 W Franklin St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-6224 www.fourcornersframedart.com
GROCERY Cosentino’s Price Chopper 896 S Missouri Highway 291 Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-4649 www.mypricechopper.com 9717 N Ash Ave Kansas City, MO 64157 816-883-2770 www.mypricechopper.com Hy-Vee 109 N Blue Jay Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-792-3210 www.hy-vee.com
HEATING & COOLING Gladstone Furnace Co. 303 NE 58th Terrace Gladstone, MO 64118 816-452-0400 www.gladstonefurnace-ac.com
HOSPITAL Liberty Hospital 2525 Glenn Hendren Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-7200 www.libertyhospital.org
HOTELS & FAMILY FUN Hampton Inn - Kansas City / Liberty 8551 N Church Rd Kansas City, MO 64157 816-415-9600 www.kansascityliberty.hamptoninn.com Sleep Inn & Suites and Indoor Waterpark 1840 N Church Rd Liberty, MO 64068 816-335-4402 www.sleepinn.com/Liberty
INTERIOR DESIGN/DECORATING Aggieal’s Attic 111 N Water St Liberty, MO 64068 816-407-1591 www.aggiealsattic.com Three Gables Décor 110 N Main St Liberty, MO 64068 816-678-3791
MAIL / PACKAGE HANDLING
RETAIL
FedEx Ground 12501 NE 40th St Kansas City, MO 64161 816-413-1120 www.fedex.com
Corbin Mill 131 S Water St Liberty, MO 64068 www.corbinmill.com
MEDICAL Liberty Medical Center 1504 NE 96th St Liberty, MO 64068 816-415-2233 www.libertymedicalcenter.com
ORGANIZATIONS Historic Downtown Liberty 111 N Water St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-3575 www.DowntownLiberty.org Historic Liberty Jail 216 N Main St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-3188 www.lds.org/placestovisit Liberty Chamber of Commerce 1170 W Kansas St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-5200 www.libertychamber.com
James Country Mercantile 111 N Main St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9473 www.jamescountry.com
SPECIALTY SHOPS Main Street Goods and Goodies 16 N Main St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-6839 Petals & Potpourri 1 E Kansas Ave Liberty, MO 64068 816-429-7760 www.petalsandpotpourri.com Show Me Shooters Indoor Range 287 NE US Highway 69 Claycomo, MO 64119 816-452-4867 www.showmeshooters.com
Liberty Lions Club 354 Lakeside Dr Liberty, MO 64068 816-792-3359
LIQUOR & CIGAR STORE Y Liquor & Cigar 346 S Missouri Highway 291 Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9442
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Explore Liberty
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
RECURRING
PICK UP THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE AT 104 N. MAIN ST. EACH THURSDAY FOR AN UP-TO-DATE COMMUNITY CALENDAR OR GO TO WWW.LIBERTYTRIBUNE.COM. MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: 7:30 p.m. June 2, 3 and 4. Corbin Theatre HISTORIC WALKING TOUR: 10 a.m. June 4. Mt. Memorial Cemetery. FREE and open to the public. Tour meets at the entrance to the cemetery. (Enter William Jewell College campus from Miller Street and continue up the hill.) FISHING DERBY: June 11. Fountain Bluff Sports Complex, 2200 Old Highway 210.
JAZZ ON THE SQUARE: 5:30 to 8 p.m. the first Monday of each month. Enjoy an evening of jazz at the Corbin Theatre, 15 N. Water St. FREE. Concessions available for purchase. MOONLIGHT YOGA: Nightfall on fullmoon nights in April through October. Bring a mat or blanket and a donation to Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz Road, for some yoga by moonlight. This event helps raise funds for the Liberty Dog Park. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LIBERTY FARMERS’ MARKET: 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays May through September and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays in October. Farm-fresh flowers, produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, prepared foods and craft items. Just east of the historic Square in downtown Liberty.
SPRING TIM WHITMER SHOW: 7:30 p.m. April 2. Corbin Theatre. DIRTY DOG MUD RUN 5K AND PET EXPO: April 23 at Stocksdale Park. This event will feature a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. and a Pet Expo and activities from 9 a.m. to noon. PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE: 7:30 p.m. April 14, 15 and 16. Corbin Theatre.
12TH ANNUAL TASTE OF LIBERTY: 2 to 5 p.m. June 11 in downtown Liberty. Purchase a ticket and sample the tastes of many restaurants in Liberty. Sponsored by Historic Downtown Liberty Inc.
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TEE IT UP FORE PARKS: 8 a.m. shotgun start. July 15 at Cardinal Hill Golf Course, 925 N. Lightburne St. Teams of golfers tee it up in support of the Liberty Parks and Recreational Charitable Fund as it works to strengthen Liberty Parks and Recreation’s programs, services and amenities. LOCAL DIRT: July 16. Farm-to-table dining experience. Fundraiser for Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. Details TBA. POOLSIDE LUAU: 7 to 9:30 p.m. July 29 at the Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. Free to community center members. Day passes will be available for others who want to participate in the fun. Event includes water games, kids’ activities and free food to the first 300 people. HISTORIC WALKING TOUR: 10 a.m. Aug. 6. An 1860s tour of Liberty. FREE and open to the public. Meet at the fountain in front of City Hall, 101 E. Kansas St.
SUMMER
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER CRAFT BEER CRAWL: 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20. Visit NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION historic downtown Liberty, purchase a MONTH: July is National Parks and Recreation commemorative glass and sip samples of Month, and the Liberty Parks and Recreation various, unique craft beers at participating Department will be hosting a series of businesses. Sponsored by Historic activities and events for everyone to get out Downtown Liberty Inc. and enjoy our local parks. Details TBA. OOH LA LA STYLE SHOW: 3 to 5 p.m. LIBERTY 4THFEST / GREAT AMERICAN Sept. 10. This fun event kicks off with a PICNIC: July 4 at Fountain Bluff Sports style show held at City Hall Plaza, 101 E. Complex. Celebrate Independence Day Kansas St., and continues throughout the with food trucks, kids’ activities, inflatables, downtown with specials at participating a FREE outdoor concert and fireworks. For businesses. more details, visit www.liberty4thfest.com. HISTORIC WALKING TOUR: 10 a.m. July 9. Dougherty District. FREE and open to the public. Meet at the corner of Franklin and
HISTORIC WALKING TOUR: 10 a.m. May 7. Three Downtown Churches. FREE and open to the public. Meet at the Presbyterian Church, corner of N. Main and Mississippi streets. POPCORN IN THE PARK: 8:30 p.m. May 26 at Stocksdale Park. Pull up a chair or blanket and bring the whole family for a night under the stars for a FREE outdoor screening of “Inside Out” with complementary popcorn.
Gallatin streets
®
9800 NE Barry Rd (Hwy 152) Just west of I-35, in front of Home Depot 75060850
HISTORIC WALKING TOUR: 10 a.m. Sept. 10. William Jewell College, 500 College Hill. FREE and open to the public. Meets at Pryor Learning Commons.
FALL LUCILLE FLETCHER RADIO SHOWS: Sept. 16. “Sorry Wrong Numberâ€? and “Hitchhiker.â€? Corbin Theatre. LIBERTY FALL FESTIVAL: Sept. 23 to 25. Entertainment, parade, carnival, music, dancing and boundless fun for all at the 40h annual festival, held in downtown Liberty. Coordinated by the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce. HISTORIC WALKING TOUR: 10 a.m. Oct. 1. Jewell & Lightburne Historic Districts. FREE and open to the public. Meet at the parking lot at the corner of Franklin and Lightburne streets. LOCAL DIRT: Oct. 8. Farm-to-table dining experience. Fundraiser for Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. Details TBA.
1325 Odd Fellows Road, Liberty, MO 64068 www.belvoirwinery.com email: info@belvoirwinery.com call us: 816.200.1811 Hours: Sunday 12:00-6:00 • Monday-Wednesday 11:00-4:00 Thursday-Saturday 11:00-8:00 75061804
Join us for these upcoming events... 2ND ANNUAL CAR & BIKE SHOW: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15. Downtown Liberty.
VGDQD ATRHMDRR @MC BNLLTMHSX LDDS
TRICK OR TREAT DOWNTOWN: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Participating businesses welcome costumed children and families for a fun evening of trick-or-treating in downtown. Sponsored by Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22. Corbin Theatre.
July 4
September 23-25
VETERANS’ DAY CELEBRATION: 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Clay County Courthouse. Veterans of Foreign Wars ceremony. Noon in Fairview Cemetery, at West Shrader Street and South Terrace Avenue. Veterans’ Day celebration to honor United States military veterans. 2ND ANNUAL HOMETOWN HOLIDAY EVENT / SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: Nov. 26. Celebrate the season as you “shop small, shop localâ€? and discover all that the downtown businesses have to offer. Event will include: Santa, outdoor fire pits, kids crafts and more. The event culminates in the Liberty Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which begins at 6 p.m.
³¹ ²³ °ÂÂŤÂŤ  KHADQSXBG@LADQ BNL ²  @MR@R SQDDS~ THSD ~ HADQSX~ ¹¯¹³
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Explore Liberty • March 2016
Midwest National Air Center
Historic Downtown Liberty
In Historic Downtown Liberty
Boutique Shopping Unique Dining Museums Historical Sites Lodging Farmers’ Market www.DowntownLiberty.org
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Liberty reinvests in historic downtown, Liberty Commons as city grows
An artist’s rendering of the future Liberty Commons
A changing landscape By Kellie Houx
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In 2016, 2017 and the near future, the “Welcome to Liberty” signs around the community may also need a second sign below that: “Pardon the Mess. We are Getting a Makeover.”
LIBERTY COMMONS The city of Liberty is well and truly ensconced in a renaissance. Just drive into the city on Missouri Highway 152 onto Kansas Street or come off the highway at the Interstate 35 interchange. An estimated 60,000 people drive along I-35 and 50,000 along Highway 152 daily. Look to the south as you pass by this area, and there are clear indications of the city’s redevelopment at Liberty Commons. Planning for this development started in 2013, and the first ceremonial spades of dirt were turned in midSeptember 2015. Hard on the heels of those dignitaries, heavy machinery came in and crews wasted no time on demolition on the former Sears/Kmartanchored shopping center. Legacy Development, commercial real estate developer, is spearheading the creation of the 325,000-squarefoot center with stores, restaurants, a specialty grocery store and a hotel. Right now, the signed tenants Downtown commerce will continue during redevelopment work. The Official Community Theatre for the City of Liberty!
Corbin Theatre Co. Is a 501 c. (3) organization
We Frame Just About Anything High Quality, Affordable Custom Picture Framing
For more information about upcoming shows & events, please call 816.529.4988 or visit www.corbintheatre.org!
Cottage Shabby Chic
Facebook.com/CorbinTheatreCompany Twitter.com/CorbinTheatreCo 15 North Water Street Liberty. Mo 64068
Live Entertainment offering a complete program of drama and music from Jazz to Classics!
111 North Water Street Historic Liberty Missouri
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• Shadow boxes • Photos • Historical Documents • Canvas • Textiles • Needlepoint • Jerseys • Prints
Four Corners Framed Art 112 W. Franklin St.
Liberty, MO 816-781-6224 www.fourcornersframedart.com
Open: Wed. - Sat. 10:30 AM - 5 PM
Aggiealsattic.com Tel. 816-407-1591
(no silly coupon gimmicks)
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include a 110-room Residence Inn Marriott, Natural Grocers — a company new to the Northland — and Academy Sports + Outdoors will be an anchor store. There will also be a Gordman’s and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, another first for the Northland. Kirkland’s will be coming, as well as Ulta Beauty. Five Below, a new store, will be coming too, along with Aveda’s Lifestyle Salon and maurice’s. Other restaurants will be Louie’s Wine Dive and McAlister’s Deli. Legacy Development Marketing Director Dave Claflin reports that Academy Sports + Outdoors is planning to open in early September, followed by Gordman’s later that month, if not earlier. He expects some tenants to open in early 2017, but guesses others might open in time for the 2016 holiday shopping season.
B&B THEATRES With the redevelopment of Liberty Commons, B&B Theatres will
move a few hundred feet away behind the Culver’s and CVS. The theater company president, Bob Bagby, said ground should be broken in late summer 2016 for the flagship theater complex. In early October 2014, B&B Theatres purchased Dickinson Theatres, a local Kansas City theater circuit dating back to 1920. With the acquisition of Dickinson, an additional 15 locations and 169 screens were added to B&B’s continually growing circuit of theaters. B&B Theatres was recognized in 1999 by the National Association of Theatre Owners as one of the oldest familyowned circuits in the Midwest. Through the years, B&B has seen the coming of sound, color, widescreen, digital, 3D and countless other advances in stereo sound and projection. Its newest complexes offer the latest in sound and comfort, including DOLBY 7.1 Surround Sound and digital sound in all auditoriums, stadium seating, wide screens, high-back rocker chairs with cup holders and luxury electric recliner seating. The extended family now consists of more than 1,400 employees.
Vintage, Antiques and Original Designs
75061889
816-678-3791 threegablesdecor@ gmail.com
110 North Main Street | Liberty, MO 64068
Relax, we’ll take care of the details
Quaint, affordable & elegant wedding and event packages 75064098
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34 S Main, Liberty, MO 816-429-6845 White-hydrangea.com
Explore Liberty • March 2016
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19TH CENTURY LIVING HISTORY!
JAMES COUNTRY MERCANTILE 111 N. Main Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-9473 Fax 816-781-1470 www.jamescountry.com Everything Needed By Living Historians! ☞Ladies - Gentlemen - Civilian -Military ☞ “THE ONLY LIVING HISTORY RETAIL SHOP IN THE MIDWEST” YOUR PATRONAGE IS APPRECIATED! Liberty Square is at the heart of voter-approved redevelopment plans.
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One of the biggest challenges for Liberty could be the redevelopment of the historic Liberty Square. In November 2014, Liberty voters approved a three-eighthscent economic development tax to “improve streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and below-ground infrastructure.” This tax will sunset in 2035. The plans for redevelopment have been underway since August 2015, when the first group of downtown merchants, business owners and others gathered for a preliminary meeting. Assistant Public Works Director Andy Noll estimates that close to 100 people have had some sort of input on the plans. With a dedicated planning task force, Noll said the goal was to see ground broken by the second week of May 2016 and, barring weather, he wants to see all the work completed by November. “The only things that might be left could be some plantings that could come in the following spring,” Noll said. “We are aiming to get construction done during the summer and fall construction seasons.” The redevelopment will begin on the north section of Main Street from Franklin to Mississippi streets.
• Antique & vintage goods • Shop our inventory of books, frames, buttons, art, mirrors, jewelry, textiles, lamps, artist handmades, old time soda & candy. “Friend” us on Facebook at Main Street Goods and Goodies
816-781-6839 16 N. Main Street on the historic Liberty square
Stop by and take a trip down memory lane!
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
R
elax in quiet, comfortable surroundings with a private entrance and a delicious morning meal at our bed and breakfast, Jewell Street Bed and Breakfast, LLC, in Liberty, MO. Our 1920 Spanish Tudorstyle B&B is situated in the Liberty Historic District, across the street from the William Jewell College campus, and the Grand River Baptist Chapel.
Jewell Street Bed & Breakfast 75061884
126 North Jewell Street, Liberty, MO
Quaint and Comfortable B&B For availability and booking call 816-612-7284 or visit www.jewellstreetbedandbreakfastllc.com
PETALS & POTPOURRI petalsandpotpourri.com Est. 1979 Blue Springs
Mike Hinton 708 SW US 40 Highway (816) 229-4266
Home Decor, Unique Gifts, Custom Floral Arrangements
Liberty
Amber Hinton 1 E. Kansas Street (816) 429-7760
Store Hours: M-F 9:30AM - 6:00PM | Blue Springs, M-F 9:30AM - 5:30PM | Liberty, Sat: 9:30AM - 5:00PM, Sun: Closed
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
HISTORIC LIBERTY JAIL FREE TOURS PUBLIC WELCOME Open daily from 9 - 9
Noll said this work will be the most straightforward reconstruction. The plans could include sending utilities underground and better lighting. The redevelopment will come in four phases: • Main Street from Franklin to Mississippi streets; • Water and Franklin streets; • Main and Kansas streets; and • Main Street to Gallatin Street along Kansas. Noll said part of the parade
route for Liberty Fall Festival will be repaired as well. “We are aiming to keep access to businesses open,” Noll said. “It’s going to require incredible coordination.” For Historic Downtown Liberty Inc. Executive Director Vicki Vance, there’s the hopeful completion of the Downtown Liberty Commercial Community Improvement District to result in funds available in 2017 for ongoing care of the redeveloped downtown.
Come experience a piece of early history at the Liberty Jail. You’ll see a true to life size reconstruction of the original 1833 jail as you witness an engaging audio-visual presentation and learn about significant happenings that took place in the jail.
216 North Main Street Liberty, MO 64068-1629
816-781-3188
www.lds.org/placestovisit The Church of
An artist’s rendering of the historic Liberty Square after redevelopment work is completed. The project is slated to be finished by November 2016.
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS www.mormon.org
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Explore Liberty
Explore Liberty Education EDUCATION
LIBERTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Liberty Public Schools continues to be one of the destination districts for families around the Kansas City metropolitan area, state of Missouri and the entire region. As its mission reads, the district seeks to “inspire and equip all learners to discover their voice and unlimited potential.” With an enrollment of well over 12,000, LPS educates students at a high level while also being one of the fastestgrowing school districts in the state. Students attend one of 11 elementary schools, six secondary schools, an early childhood center or Liberty Academy Alternative School. LPS is known across the state for excellence, annually receiving state and national awards and distinctions in various categories. Students achieve at high levels in academics, fine arts and athletics. The administration recognizes that success cannot be obtained without the caring teachers, staff, parents and community support that make up the district. All of these factors combined have helped LPS become one of the most attractive school districts for families to want their children to attend. For more information, visit www. liberty.k12.mo.us.
Mr. Kelsey goes to Washington — and brings back a moon rock A student looks on as the marble she drops falls into a tray filled with a flour and cocoa powder. Her classmates’ eyes follow the glass sphere until it crashes into the flour and makes a crater. Together, the students discuss what they observe — just as they would during any other lab in their eighth-grade science class. The only difference this time is the pair of cameras capturing the students’ every move. The experiment last fall at South Valley Middle School was filmed for a segment of “STEM in 30,” a half-hour educational program produced by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Each episode focuses on a
different subject and shoots on site at museums, schools and notable locations across the country. Leading the activities was co-host Marty Kelsey, whose visit to the middle school was a personal homecoming. Kelsey
is a 1994 Liberty High School graduate and taught in Liberty Public Schools for 16 years — including six at South Valley Middle — before joining the “STEM in 30” team in early 2015. “To get the chance to bring it back and do this at my school, with my former students is just incredible,” said Kelsey of filming the segment that featured moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions. The “STEM in 30” episode featuring South Valley Middle School is scheduled to air in the spring of 2016. March 2016 •
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LIBERTY EDUCATION MID-CONTINENT PUBLIC LIBRARY
ST. JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. James Catholic School provides a Catholic education to children in preschool through eighth grade. The school philosophy is the education of the whole child, including emotional, intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social development. The school integrates faith and knowledge through strong family involvement, dedicated staff, innovative extra-curricular programs, an outdoor learning environment, state-of-the-art technology, and an emphasis on personal responsibility and respect for others. The school is at 309 S. Stewart Road. For more information, call 781-4428 or visit www.stjames-liberty.org.
Mid-Continent Public Library celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding Nov. 10, 2015, and the good feelings have carried over into 2016. Two of the library system’s 31 branches serve the Liberty community. The Liberty Branch, at 1000 Kent St., first opened 1981. In partnership with the Liberty Arts Commission, the branch opened a renovated art gallery in late 2015. The space features a rotating exhibit of works and artists throughout the year. The Woodneath Library Center, at 8900 NE Flintlock Road just west of Liberty, opened in 2013. The branch features conference and meeting spaces and an Espresso book-printing machine. Woodneath is built around the 1850s Elbridge-Arnold home, which once renovated, will house a Story Center focused on the art of storytelling in its many forms. For more information about the library system, visit www.mymcpl.org.
CALL FOR GRAND OPENING SPECIAL RATES St. James Event Center 342 N. Water, Liberty, MO 64068 816.721.9960 Carey@saintjamesevents.com www.saintjamesevents.com
Co-sponsored in part by 75064116
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Explore Liberty • March 2016
While William Jewell College may be nearing 170 years offering higher education, the liberal arts institution treasures its roots but extends its branches into the future. Approximately
Accepting children 6 weeks to kindergarten SUMMER CAMPS for school-age children Camera surveillance throughout Breakfast, lunch & snacks included On-site soccer, dance, computers Monthly parent events Parents Night Out!
Grand Opening
Salt Catering Carey Weir • 816.721.9960 www.saltcateringkc.com carey@saltcateringkc.com
WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
visit our website at: ®
www.spectrumstation.com m 75061588
LIBERTY EDUCATION MNU is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. For more information, visit www.mnu.edu/professional/liberty, or call 407-3070.
EARNEST SHEPHERD YOUTH CENTER
Earnest Shepherd Youth Center helps youth cultivate their individual strengths and improve family and peer interaction in
We provide thoughtful, modern dental care. Call for an appointment today. Emergency appointments available. $59
59
$
Cleaning, Exam & Digital X-rays*
816
728-2979
LibertyOaksDentalGroup.com Matthew Yip, DDS
LIBERTY OAKS
8291 N Booth Ave Kansas City, MO 64158
D E N TA L G R O U P
*Regular value of at least $290. In absence of gum (periodontal) disease. New patients only. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Coupon must be presented at appointment. Limit 1 per patient. Subject to insurance restrictions; cannot be applied to insurance co-payments or deductible. Not valid for appointments with pediatric dentist.
8504 N. Church Road Kansas Ci City, MO 64157 An experience for your mind, body and soul.
816-415-3733 816-4
www.salonoasisanddayspa.com
Treat yourself or that someone special to some pampering and relaxation? (We have 7500 square feet in which to pamper you in. We have two exquisite couples massage rooms as well as a Hydro-therapy treatment room and a Vichy Shower.) If your ready to escape... we are ready to take you there. Providing 15 years of pampered service.
Full Service Salon • Hair Removal • Skin Care Services • Massage • Nails • Spa Services • Hair Color • Hair Care • Texture & Retexture Services
MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
New Services
• Hydra-Facial Therapy great for all skin types immediate results • Red & Blue LED Light Therapy
Gift Certificates Available
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MidAmerica Nazarene University in Liberty, located at 105 N. Stewart Court, Suite 210, is dedicated to professional and graduate studies. MNU students use modern technology in classrooms and an online learning system with evening and weekend courses available. Online offerings include classes in nursing and graduate studies in education. Founded in Olathe, Kansas, in 1966,
a fun environment. The center is located on 62 acres and provides Kansas City-area schools educational, leadership, team-building and recreational programming. During the summer, kids can traverse through a world of adventure in one of the many day camps. For more information, call 781-7733 or visit www.earnestshepherd.com. The center is at 610 E. Shepherd Road.
Smile. Your search for a new dentist is over.
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1,100 students are enrolled full time on the 200-acre campus. The Pryor Learning Commons, the college’s three-story main library, opened in 2013 with a focus on digital rather than paper resources. The college is consistently ranked among America’s best colleges in several national magazines, including Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Princeton Review and Washington Monthly. Jewell is often cited for small class sizes, low student debt, high graduation rates an commitment to service and overall value. After 15 years of leadership and service to William Jewell College, Dr. David Sallee will retire and his successor, Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, will become the college’s 15th president on July 1. The school offers more than 40 majors. In August 2015, the college held its first graduation ceremony for the graduate program on differentiated instruction through the Education Department. Nine students received their master’s hoods. For more than 25 years, the school’s prestigious Oxbridge Honors Program has offered a full curriculum of tutorial-based instruction and a full year of study in Oxford. The program usually takes about 20 students from each new class annually. William Jewell College was also named an Apple Distinguished School for 20152017, recognizing Jewell for its access to integrated technology and engaged learning; the college’s initiative for putting iPads in the hands of every student, faculty and staff member; and its incorporation of emerging technologies and preparation of students to meet the challenges for an everchanging world. To learn more about the college, visit www.jewell.edu.
Mon, Fri, Sat 9am-5pm • Tue, Wed, Thu 9am-9pm • Sunday Closed We advise to make appointments to accommodate your schedule, but walk-ins are welcome. March 2016 •
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Explore Liberty
PARKS & RECREATION
W
hether it’s between teammates on the sports field, among fitness class attendees or even the trails that physically connect neighborhoods to schools and parks, the Liberty Parks and Recreation Department strives to create community connections that are vital in building and maintaining a prosperous and healthy community. From sports and fitness programs to parks and trails to activities for mature adults, Liberty Parks and Recreation has something for everyone. With 10 parks covering more than 500 acres, Liberty residents and visitors can enjoy playgrounds, spraygrounds, tennis courts, a new tennis hitting wall, ballfields, a dog park, a disc golf course, and many miles of trails for walking, running, or biking. Volunteering for Parks: The Liberty Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities to assist with park maintenance, tree plantings, stream cleanups and special events. The new Park Ambassador program allows volunteers to serve as stewards, advocates or docents in parks throughout Liberty. Anyone who wants to help should call LeAnn Lawlor, community services manager, at 816-439-4396.
region’s most extensive single-track trail systems at Stocksdale Park and adjacent Walnut Woods Conservation Area. Trees: Liberty loves its trees. In 2015, Liberty was designated a TreeCity USA for the 11th year. Each October, community groups and volunteers come together for the NeighborWoods Tree Planting Day. In 2015, volunteers from Heartland Tree Alliance, Ford and KCP&L helped Liberty PARKS & TRAILS Parks and Recreation staff to plant 30 Dog Park: Canine companions will trees along South Liberty Parkway. Parks enjoy the Liberty Dog Park, a popular and Rec staff also planted tree saplings 3-acre fenced area at Stocksdale Park. procured from Forest Re-Leaf at Fountain Thanks to a local Eagle Scout, the dog Bluff and Stocksdale Park. This year’s park also has a number of refurbished pieces of agility equipment. There’s even a NeighborWoods event will be Oct 22. Disc Golf: Bring your discs and check 5,400-square-foot section dedicated to the out the premier, blue-level 18-hole disc golf smaller dogs who don’t like to play with the course in Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz big dogs. Road. Disc golf is one of the fastest-growing Trails: More than 10 miles of asphalt sports, requires very little equipment and is trails provide walkers and runners with suited to a wide variety of fitness levels. citywide opportunities for recreation The KC Flying Disc Club holds and fitness. Trails range from drop-in mini tournaments at the course less than a quarter mile on Wednesday evenings April to October. to 2.5 miles, and many Other tournament dates can be found on of the trails connect the group’s website at KCFDC.org. with neighborhood Spraygrounds: When the summer sun sidewalks. arrives, kids seek the cooling water jets and Mountain bikers sprays in one of Liberty’s two spraygrounds will find one of the 30
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LIBERTY CHRISTIAN CHURCH EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
Highly qualified, experienced teachers will create a warm, loving environment for your child. Our curriculum provides educational hands-on experiences through art, science, math and cooking projects.
Let your child grow in faith, love, confidence and independence. > State licensed - children ages 2 - 5 years > Open from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm > Breakfast, Hot Lunch and Snack > Competitive Rates > Interactive learning through Music and Movement
Located near William Jewell College
427 East Kansas Street Liberty, Missouri 64068 816-781-7654 www.lcceec.org
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LIBERTY PARKS & RECREATION at City Park, 970 S. Missouri Highway 291, and Ruth Moore Park, 410 N. Morse Ave. The spraygrounds are free and are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information on parks and trails, visit libertymissouri.gov/1714/ParksTrails.
LIBERTY COMMUNITY CENTER
The Liberty Community Center offers aquatics, fitness, as well as youth and adult community programs to help area residents and visitors maintain an active lifestyle throughout the year. With a day pass, summer pass or annual membership, anyone can take advantage of many of the fitness classes and amenities at the Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Road. Amenities include two indoor pools (lap pool and warm water pool); two outdoor pools including a children’s fountain pool; hot tub; sauna; three-quarters court gymnasium; locker rooms; and a recently expanded fitness center featuring cardiovascular and strength training equipment. In 2015, the fitness center underwent a facelift that included new flooring with a walking track, some new weight equipment and spin bikes. The Liberty Community Center also offers five beautiful meeting and banquet rooms and a 700-seat theater suited to accommodate a multitude of special event needs and a variety of group sizes —perfect for business seminars and meetings, receptions, anniversaries, family gatherings, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and much more. For more information, call 439-4360 or visit libertymissouri.gov/172/CommunityCenter.
FOUNTAIN BLUFF SPORTS COMPLEX
Known by many near and far for hosting baseball, softball, flag football and soccer leagues and tournaments, Fountain Bluff Sports Complex also offers amenities not seen in other similar facilities. The sports amenities are the largest draw to Fountain Bluff. Since it opened in 2002, hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far have walked through the gates at Fountain Bluff Sports Complex. With nine softball/baseball fields, extrawide covered dugouts, playgrounds, six
soccer/football fields, restrooms and concession stands, this facility hosts recreational baseball, softball, soccer and flag football leagues as well as competitive local, state, regional and national baseball and softball tournaments. This year Fountain Bluff will see some improvements that players and spectators will appreciate. The highly utilized baseball, softball and soccer fields will be better illuminated with new sports lighting that offers brighter, shadowless and more efficient lighting. Spectators catching some ball games in the rains of spring or heat of summer will enjoy new shade structures at the nine baseball and softball fields. While many think of fishing as a summertime activity, it goes on year-round
at Fountain Bluff. Fountain Bluff’s eight ponds are managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation for public fishing. Three to four times each winter, MDC stocks two of the ponds with rainbow trout to provide winter fishing. MDC also checks the population of other fish species — bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish — and restocks the ponds as needed. With additional local, regional and national youth baseball and softball tournaments, greater fishing opportunities, and more youth and adult sports leagues, 2016 is shaping up as one of the busiest seasons out at the complex to date. Want to learn more? Visit libertymissouri.gov/91/Fountain-BluffSports-Complex.
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AUTO HOME LIFE RENTERS March 2016 •
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LIBERTY PARKS & RECREATION YOUTH & ADULT SPORTS PROGRAMS
The Liberty Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of youth sports programs that help kids learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and, just as importantly, an active lifestyle. Children, even as young as two and a half in some sports, can begin developing fundamental skills for soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, golf, swimming and football. From there, budding athletes can move into Parks and Recreation’s introductory leagues for baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading and more. Liberty Parks and Recreation also offers competitive youth leagues in soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football and softball. The Liberty Storm offers kids 18 and younger an opportunity to swim competitively in an environment that stresses fundamentals, good sportsmanship and fun. This summer swim program, which has been swimming at the Liberty Community Center since 1993, has come on strong in its second decade, winning 11 championships in the last 12 years. And sports aren’t just for the kids. Liberty Parks and Recreation helps adults fulfill their competitive drive through softball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, kickball and basketball leagues. For those who want to try their skills at a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, the Liberty Community Center gymnasium sports some new pickleball lines. Whether young or just young at heart, Liberty Parks and Recreation has the activity that is right for you. For more info about sports programs, visit www. libertymissouri.gov/LPR. Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund: Recognizing that public funding is limited, the Liberty Parks & Recreation Charitable Fund was established to support projects, youth scholarships and other needs. In the past two years, 133 youth scholarships have been awarded through the fund. Private donations and an annual Tee it Up Fore Parks golf tournament help to raise more than 32
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$15,000 each year for the charitable fund. The third annual Tee it Up Fore Parks golf tournament is scheduled for this July 15. Donations to the LPRCF can be made securely online at www.libertymissouri. gov/1416/Ways-to-Give.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Community Services division of the Parks and Recreation Department offers support services and a variety of social activities and programs to older adults and seniors of our community. The division offers activities that encourage social, intellectual and physical activity for the “50 and better” crowd. Fitness is a vital component for aging well, so a wide variety of fitness classes are offered for all fitness levels. Tai chi is a low-impact exercise that combines continuous, gentle movement with deep breathing. For the swimmers, there are a number of water aerobics classes that are gentle on the joints. The division is a proud partner with the SilverSneakers program through Healthways, offering both day and evening fitness classes free of charge. The Community Services division also offers educational seminars on a variety of topics, including promoting lifelong learning opportunities. Silver Center: The Liberty Silver Center is a place where older adults (60plus) come to socialize, participate in activities and enjoy a hot nutritious meal. In addition to weekly activities, which include various card games, computer classes, seminars, land aerobics class and
special events, the Silver Center has partnered with Focus Healthcare to provide monthly Wellness Wednesdays. Offered on the fourth Wednesday of each month, Wellness Wednesday provides relevant information on health care, caregiving, financial fitness, music therapy, resources
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LIBERTY PARKS & RECREATION private programs, birthday parties, scout groups and school field trips. It features hands-on exhibits, live animal exhibits, fossil displays and a bird-feeding station, as well as restrooms, drinking fountains, classrooms and a gift shop. The interpretive center is open year round. Trails are open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through September and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through March. The sanctuary has approximately four miles
of trails, most of which are less than a mile in length. There are two asphalt trails, one of which is ADA accessible. The area is open for hiking, nature study, birding, photography, sketching and relaxing. A donation of $1 per person is suggested. Fees are charged for guided hikes, and public or private programs. The sanctuary is located at 407 N. La Frenz Road. For more information, call 781-8598 or visit www.naturesanctuary.com.
906 W. Liberty Dr. Liberty, MO 64068
(816)781-1998
Visit us on Facebook
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within the community and more. Access Bus: The Liberty Access Bus provides free essential transportation within the city limits of Liberty to older adults (60-plus) and physically challenged individuals (ages 18 to 59) who do not have access to their own transportation. The Liberty Access Bus provides many seniors the opportunity to age in place; staying in their own home and caring for themselves. Essential trips include the doctor’s office, grocery store and pharmacy. Non-essential trips such as those to the bank or non-grocery stores are available as space permits. Coupons are required for each segment of the trip; a book of 10 coupons can be purchased for $10. Meals On Wheels: Liberty Meals On Wheels has been delivering noon day meals in Liberty for more than 40 years. Monday through Friday, volunteers deliver affordable, hot and nutritious lunches to nearly 80 homebound seniors within the city limits of Liberty who are unable to cook for themselves. Volunteers are the backbone of the Liberty Meals on Wheels program. The volunteers not only deliver much-needed meals, but they also provide a smiling face and a daily wellness check for these homebound residents. As the program continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers. Volunteers can donate just one hour a week to help provide a muchneeded service to the community. For more information on this and other activities, call the city’s Community Services Division at 816-439-4365 or visit www.ci.liberty.mo.us/CommunityServices.
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MARTHA LAFITE THOMPSON NATURE SANCTUARY
SERVING THE LIBERTY AREA FOR 20 YEARS. WE OFFER A FULL LINE OF HAND SELECTED WINE’S, HUGE CRAFT BEER SELECTION - INCLUDING A BUILD YOUR OWN 6 PACK SECTION. ONE OF THE BEST SCOTCH AND BOURBON SELECTIONS IN THE AREA. AND, OF COURSE, A HUGE WALK-IN HUMIDOR FULL OF SOME OF THE FINEST CIGARS AVAILABLE.
JOHN FUHRMAN - OWNER • LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED 346 S. 291 HWY., SW Corner of 152 Hwy & 291 Hwy LIBERTY, MO. 64068 • (816) 781-9442 75062526
Independent of the city, the nonprofit Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary operates on 100 acres of land on the east side of Liberty. Its mission is to offer engaging, hands-on environmental and natural science education for all ages; create biodiversity of native plants and animals through wise management of natural resources; foster understanding that all Earth’s inhabitants are part of a complex, interdependent ecosystem; and opportunities for quiet reflection and reconnection with the natural world. The nature center offers a variety of public programs for all ages, as well as
yliquor@att.net • https://www.facebook.com/yliquor March 2016 •
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A barkin’ good time By Chris Geinosky For years, dog owners from Liberty and beyond have been bringing their furry friends to the dog park at Stocksdale Park. It appears they will not need to alter their plans anytime soon. The city of Liberty — with the help of volunteered improvements and monetary donations from the community — continues to support a first-class stop for canine companions, making it a sought-out destination for dog owners throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. “The Liberty Dog Park has become a very popular place
• Free Hot Continental Breakfast • Free WIFI • 4 Free Waterslide Passes • Kids Stay FREE (max 6 persons per room) • Birthday Parties/ Day Passes
GOLF
Golf enthusiasts will find a wealth of public and private courses within 10 miles of downtown Liberty. The local nearby facilities include:
1840 N. Church Rd. Liberty, MO 64068
Cardinal Hill Golf Course (Public) 18 holes — 6,484 yards — Par 72 925 N. Lightburne St., Liberty 781-6522 Liberty Hills Country Club (Private) 18 holes — 6,530 yards — Par 70 19808 Country Road H, Liberty 781-3636 Shoal Creek Golf Course (Public) 18 holes — 6,983 yards — Par 71 8905 Shoal Creek Parkway, Kansas City 407-7242 Hodge Park Golf Club (Municipal) 18 holes — 6,223 yards — Par 71 7000 NE Barry Road, Kansas City 781-4152 75061479
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Please visit... www.KClibertylagoon.com or call 1-816-335-4402 for reservations.
fundraiser, which has been renamed the Dirty Dog Mud Run 5K and Pet Expo. This year’s event, which is scheduled for April 23, will be held in memory of Isley, who frequently visited the park with his dogs before his passing. Stocksdale Park is located at 901 S.
LaFrenz Road. Questions or comments regarding dog park management can be directed to 816-439-4382. Donations toward the park can be made through the Liberty Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund, 1600 S. Withers Road, Liberty, MO, 64068.
Liberty Lions Club has a motto of “We Serve” and within the Liberty/Clay County area our primary service project is eye exams and glasses on a referral basis. We collect and recycle approximately 10,000 pairs of glasses a year and when added to those collected by others Lions clubs provide improved eyesight to needy in foreign countries. Annually, a scholarship is awarded to a deserving Liberty senior.
LIBERTY LIONS CLUB 75062135
in Liberty to exercise the canine members of the family and to meet and socialize with friends,” said Janet Bartnik, director of Liberty Parks and Recreation. “We are very lucky to have so many kind and generous donors and volunteers who have come together to make Stocksdale Park a gem in the system.” A grassroots effort to fund the construction of Liberty’s popular offleash dog park began back in 2009. Nearly $10,000 was raised in donations, and construction of the 3-acre area in Stocksdale Park was completed by Liberty Parks and Recreation crews in 2011. Since then, the free park has only been improved with the addition of play space and amenities. A 5,400-square-foot small dog area has been added by the city for those canines not comfortable playing with the “big dogs.” The park features an agility course (tunnels, weave poles, ramps and jumps), as well as a multi-use water fountain that has separate spigots for dogs and their owners. Benches have been installed throughout the park. The area can be visited from dawn to dusk. Multiple Eagle Scout projects have been completed at the location the past few years. The latest by Liberty North High School sophomore Adam Larson, with the help of more than a dozen volunteers, in the fall of 2015 renovated and expanded the agility apparatus for the dogs at play. The city’s next project on the horizon includes a shade structure for the park. Donations have already started rolling in, most notably from memorial contributions after the passing of local business owner Greg Isley in September of 2015 and the work of Patti Stark, a local yoga instructor who joined the Liberty Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund in 2011 to help bring the dog park to Liberty and has continued to raise money through her Moonlight Yoga program. Another source of revenue for the area has been the park’s annual
We also support many other service works in the community.
Contact: Donna Bailey, Secretary
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings at 6:30pm for dinner at Perkins Restaurant in Liberty.
Email: dbailey1930@att.net
We invite you to come join our organization.
Phone: 816-792-3359
Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market
Farm-Fresh Flowers, Produce, Meats, Eggs and Baked Goods
Saturdays, May thru October 7am to Noon thru Sept. 8am to Noon in Oct.
www.DowntownLiberty.org 816-581-6523
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Explore Liberty
AREA CIVIC INFORMATION
City launches new website At the end of January 2016, the city of Liberty flipped the switch on a redesigned website with a new, easier-toremember web address: www.libertymissouri.gov. The design provides more intuitive navigation for the end user, with multiple ways to access information and features that encourage interaction between users and the city. Let Us Know: A citizen request service is accessible from any page through a green “Let Us Know” button that appears on almost all pages throughout the site. This will provide greater interaction between city staff and residents with an automatic notification system. After a visitor submits a request, an email will be routed to the appropriate department or staff member for response or resolution. Visitors can log in to view the status of their requests. Scrolling Spotlights: The main home page as well as the home pages for Parks & Recreation and Economic Development include a carousel of spotlights that will be updated regularly to feature upcoming events, city services and more. Calendar of Events: A main events calendar is included on the city’s home page that offers a month’s view of events that are pulled from other department or division calendars. Updated Interactive Maps: These interactive maps are designed for users who want to quickly find detailed information about a specific portion of the city or to compare information from several locations. 36 Explore Liberty • March 2016
CITY OF LIBERTY
With a population of more than 30,000, the city of Liberty is governed by an elected mayor and eight-member City Council. Two representatives from each of four wards serve on the council, which generally meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at City Hall. City Hall 101 E. Kansas St. Liberty, MO 64068
Main Number................................816-439-4400 Administration.............................816-439-4413 Ambulance, Non-Emergency............816-439-4700 Animal Shelter.............................816-439-4791 Building Permits & Inspections....816-439-4541 Business & Liquor Licenses..........816-439-4417 City Tax Bills................................816-407-3200 Community Center.......................816-439-4360 Fire Department, Non-Emergency.....816-439-4310 Historic Preservation....................816-439-4537 Human Resources.........................816-439-4440 Meals on Wheels...........................816-439-4398 Municipal Court Clerk.................816-439-4430 Nuisance & Code Enforcement...816-439-4539 Liberty Silver Center....................816-439-4395 Parks & Recreation.......................816-439-4360 Planning & Zoning.......................816-439-4543 Police, Non-Emergency.....................816-439-4716 Public Works/Engineering............816-439-4500 Public Works/Maintenance .........816-439-4514 Recycling, Trash............................816-439-4514 ROAD CONDITIONS 816-439-4514 UTILITY PROVIDERS Electricity KCP&L: 1-888-471-KCPL (5275) Natural Gas Missouri Gas Energy: 1-800-582-1234 Sanitary Sewer City of Liberty: 816-439-4460 Solid Waste/Recycling Republic Services: 816-254-1470 Water City of Liberty: 816-439-4460 After-hours emergency: 816-439-4700
C L AY C O U N T Y
Liberty is the county seat for Clay County. Home to an estimated 230,000-plus residents, Clay County is one of the largest counties in the state. Administration Building 1 Courthouse Square Liberty, MO 64068 816-407-3600 www.claycountymo.gov County Administrator..................816-407-3620 County Assessor ...........................816-407-3500 County Auditor .......................... 816-407-3590 County Clerk ...............................816-407-3570 County Collector..........................816-407-3200 County Commission.....................816-407-3600 County Recorder of Deeds............816-407-3550 County Sheriff..............................816-407-3750 County Treasurer..........................816-407-3540 Citizen Services............................816-407-3656 Election Board...............816-415-VOTE (8683) Facilities Management..................816-407-3320 Health Department.......................816-595-4200 Highway........................................816-407-3300 Historic Sites.................................816-736-8500 Human Resources.........................816-407-3660 Medical Examiner.........................816-881-6600 Midwest National Air Center.....................................816-407-3390 Parks..............................................816-407-3400 Planning and Zoning....................816-407-3380 Purchasing.....................................816-407-3630 7th Judicial Circuit Court.............816-407-3900 Tourism.........................................816-407-3406 M I D W E S T N AT I O N A L A I R C E N T E R
Clay County is home to the Midwest National Air Center, a hub for local and transient corporate and general aviation services. Patrons can count on fast and friendly service at Clay County’s airport, which recently underwent more than $6 million in upgrades. The airport, owned and operated by Clay County, is situated on 573 acres at a nexus of air, rail and highway access near Excelsior Springs. For more information about the facility, visit www.midwestnationalaircenter.com or call 816-407-3390.
hospital as the region’s leader in advancing new models of care. Liberty Hospital President David Feess has said the 22-acre project to be constructed next to the main hospital campus, represents a move to align health care with its current trajectory. “Simply put,” he said, “health care is going through a transformative process. Rather than handling episodic and acute care, the move is to establish health and wellness.” For Feess, a Healthy Living Community can bridge the gap and provide support services and other types of living arrangements that will L I B E R T Y H O S P I TA L add to the continuum of care. Liberty Hospital opened its doors to Meanwhile, the hospital started patients in February 1974. In the past 2016 by unveiling a newly remodeled four decades, it has grown to a statelobby, including the gift shop and easy of-the-art 250-bed care center with access to both the hospital and Doctor’s more than 330 physicians covering Building, as well as a new patient all medical specialties with affiliate registration area that offers improved clinics throughout the greater Liberty privacy. Additional upgrades are being community. made to the surgery waiting area, lab The comprehensive medical center waiting room and 3 East. at 2525 Glenn Hendren Drive provides For more information about Liberty a full range of services, the latest Hospital and its services call 816-781technology and a compassionate staff 7200 or visit www.libertyhospital.org. focused on providing exceptional care C L AY C O U N T Y for all ages and stages of life. Located PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER just 20 minutes north of downtown In early 2016, the Clay County Kansas City, Liberty Hospital serves Public Health Center became one of Clay, Platte and Ray counties, as well less than 100 health departments in the as the northwest Missouri corridor. nation and only the third in Missouri As a public hospital, Liberty to achieve national accreditation from Hospital is governed by a publicly the Public Health Accreditation Board. elected six-member board of trustees Accreditation means that the Clay chosen by residents of the hospital County Public Health Center stands district. Trustees serve six-year terms. out as one of the best of the more In the past few years, the hospital than 3,000 health departments in the has opened Women’s Imaging in nation. Medical Plaza East on its campus, a The center, at 800 Haines Drive in sports medicine and rehabilitation Liberty, provides family health services center at 398 N. Blue Jay Drive in Liberty, and Urgent Care Shoal Creek such as the Womens, Infants and Children program, and immunizations; at 8300 N. Church Road in Kansas personal health services such as family City. In late 2016 or early 2017, it planning, and breast and cervical plans to open another affiliate in a neighboring community, The Excelsior cancer screenings; environmental health services; records; and Springs Clinic. community development services. Back at home, plans continue To contact the health center, call for the Healthy Living Community, 816-595-4200. For more information, an estimated $60 million investment visit www.clayhealth.com. in Liberty intended to establish the
Monday thru Friday open 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Voted Best Daycare/ Preschool in the Northland for 5 years running! Best Student/Teacher Ratio North of the River and Excellent Teacher Tenure Over 37 years of educating and caring for children Accepting children ages 6 weeks thru Kindergarten
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816-781-6295 75063252
March 2016 •
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Check it out Address: 103 N. Water St. Phone: 816-736-8510 Hours: 10 am. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Robbery
By Ryne Dittmer
legacy lives on 150 years later
Gunshots rang out over Liberty’s downtown square the afternoon of Feb. 13, 1866, as an outlaw gang made its escape after robbing the Clay County Savings Association. Bullets pierced the air, left one young man dead and wrote the city into the nation’s history books. The raid, which would become the country’s first successful bank robbery during a time of peace, began when a group of individuals rode into town, stopping at the bank. As reported in the Feb. 16, 1866, Liberty Tribune, two of the group walked into the bank, asked for change for a $10 bill and proceeded to draw their revolvers on the clerk and cashier. Upon robbing the bank, a haul of $60,000 at the time, the duo forced the clerk and cashier into the vault, shut the door and fled. As they left, the group fired shots at S. H. Holmes and Geo. Wymore, who were standing across the 38 Explore Liberty • March 2016
street. Wymore, age 19, was struck and killed. “Thus has our city and people been grossly outraged by a band of thieves and murderers, and that too, when the people thought they were in possession of permanent peace; and a worthy young man murdered, one of our most successful and ably managed monied institutions, and many private individuals, have been heavy losers. We hope to God the villains may be overhauled,” the Tribune reported. Despite a reward of $10,000, those responsible for the act were never found. Historians have since attributed the act to the gang of Jesse and Frank James. A century and a half after the incident, the building stands as the Jesse James Bank Museum. Much of the bank, including the vault, have been preserved as it was in 1866. Visitors can tour the bank as well as peruse historical documents and photographs related to the era. The building, built in 1858, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
NOW HIRING Package Handlers for Multiple Sorts at the following location:
12501 NE 40th St., Kansas City, MO 64161
$10.70 - $11.70 to start COMPENSATION ➤ Three pay increases within the first year of employment ➤ Tuition assistance ➤ Career advancement opportunity ➤ Weekly paycheck/ direct deposit QUALIFICATIONS ➤ Must be at least 18 years of age ➤ Must be able to load, unload and sort packages, as well as perform other related duties. FedEx Ground is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer (Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans), committed to a diverse workforce.
All interested candidates must attend a sort observation at our facility prior to applying for the position For more information or to register for a sort observation, please visit...
www.watchasort.com
75063966
Voted best place to hear live music in the Northland!!
W. Kansas St.
Best Dry Rub Wings! Daily & Nightly Food & Drink Specials Live music 4 days a week
Walgreens
Rockstar Karaoke every Thursday nights! Free Trivia Over 50 HD TV’s Your home to catch all sporting events!!! Plenty of seating with exceptional sound and viewing. Happy Hour Drink Specials with reverse Happy Hour Monday through Thursday 3PM-7PM & 10PM-Close! 75063961
291
Liberty Landing Shopping Center
The Landing
1189 W. Kansas Street Liberty, MO 64068 (behind Walgreens!) 816-792-5230 www.landingeateryandpub.com