Shawnee Magazine Fall 2010

fall 2010

sHawnee People, places and style defined

Fashionable dÊcor, at home Creative Confessions Animal holiday of career Haven’s changers lasting love furnishings

magazine

$3.00

Dear

Reader

Vol. 4 / No. 1

fall 2010

sHawnee People, places and style defined

What do IKEA vases, Pirates of the Caribbean, Santa Claus, the craic and fine Kenyan wine have in common?

Are you stumped?

Oddly enough, these items grace the pages of our fall 2010 publication, but they also fall in line with the angle this issue takes in regard to unique interiors, interior design, décor, even attitude. We found it all—inside.

Kenny Beall and Mark Vander Leest open their Shawnee home and give us a glimpse of their chic, modern ranch. Divergent details come together in the space, suggesting the couple’s strong grasp of feng shui, but they also incorporate details of their lives into the design with plenty of stories to share.

Then there’s Michelle Sabal, whose Halloween décor ranges from boisterous to manic. Michelle, a sucker for the goolish holiday, manages to pull off spectacular displays, haunted houses and more every October.

But that’s not all. She and her family have created a wildly fun tribute to the Pirates of the Caribbean films in their basement that has become the prime movie-watching spot.

Shifting gears to the other holiday season, we meet a handful of area designers who have dressed up the interiors of a few Shawnee homes.

The purpose? To share and celebrate the zing behind holiday décor.

With easy suggestions and examples of color, we hope you’ll be inspired to deck the living room with a few more sparkles this year.

Are you suffering from sensory overload? Sit back, relax and enjoy a dark, cold Guinness at Waxy O’Shea’s in Shawnee. This Irish pub is the spot if you’re searching for fun. Lee Sanford and Bob Ridenhour have brought a little piece of Ireland to Kansas, and that’s easy to see once you set foot into the warm, friendly bar and restaurant. Enjoy authentic dishes and several events all year long.

Traveling from Ireland to Kenya, we stop into Amboseli Market & Café. Owner Ababio O. Ababio wants to share tokens of his homeland with events that let individuals explore the region without leaving Kansas. The store and its colorful interior serve as a link to Kenya and celebrate his American Dream.

We’re finding a lot this fall, and you will too. Just step inside and see what all the fuss is about.

magazine

Publisher/Art Director Darby Oppold

Editor Katy Ibsen

Copy Editor Susie Fagan

Advertising Sales Mary Hay (913) 631-1611

Manager Bert Hull

Designer Tamra Rolf

Ad Designers Shelly Bryant Tamra Rolf

Photographers Tim Andersen Jason Dailey

Contributing Writers Kim Antisdel Claire M. Caterer Carolyn Glade Dvorak Gloria Gale Vince Meserko Katy Ryan Kimberly Winter Stern

Coordinator Faryle Scott

_____________________

Subscriptions $22 (tax included) for a one-year subscription to Shawnee Magazine.

For subscription information, please contact: Christopher J. Bell 609 New Hampshire St., P.O. Box 888 Lawrence, KS 66044 (800) 578-8748 | Fax (785) 843-1922 Or e-mail comments to shawneemagazine@sunflowerpub.com

_____________________

Shawnee Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of The World Company. www.sunflowerpub.com find us on facebook facebook.com/ShawneeMagazine

Follow us on twitter @shawneemag

sHawneemagazine

Katy

editor

3

Departments Contents

2010

fall

shawnee living

A 1950s split ranch finds modern interpretation

06 10

In Every Issue

03 Dear Reader 40 Q&A 46 best bets

A haunted transformation

From suburban to spooky, one family home becomes a sight to behold as Halloween nears

shawnee Businesses

Kenyan restaurant owner hopes eatery serves as a cultural meeting place

20

Features

Home Style

24

A marketplace of ideas

Becoming an Irish legend

There’s plenty of craic to be had at Waxy O’Shea’s

Local profiles 28

Shifting Gears

For those who have been outsourced, downsized or are simply ready to evolve, changing careers makes perfect sense

health & fitness

Tai Chi: the strengthening exercise worth playing

36

A healthful move

38 For the meat lover

John and Diane Suman sell meat the old-fashioned way: naturally

For the Family 42

15

Good, colorful cheer

These festive rooms—decked out for the season of celebration—hold holiday surprises

BY Gloria Gale

31

The great pet rescue

Furry friends find a haven at Shawnee shelter

sHawneemagazine

BY Katy Ryan

4

on the cover

Kenny Beall and Mark Vander Leest’s chic living room. {Photography by Jason Dailey} 06 Fashionable décor, at home 15 Creative holiday furnishings 28 Confessions of career changers 31 Animal Haven’s lasting love

The great pumpkin escapade

Find your pumpkin-themed event this fall

get away 44

Cradle of Democracy

Northern Virginia holds memories of bygone days and mementoes of four centuries of American history

Shawnee

living

Luxe Interiors

story by

Kimberly Winter Stern

Home

style

photography by

Jason Dailey

sHawneemagazine

A 1950s split ranch finds modern interpretation

6

A serene foyer is the first indication of the definitive modern spirit at Kenny Beall

and Mark Vander Leest’s meticulous vintage Shawnee ranch.

Painted the starkest of whites, the entrance highlights the creative intuition

displayed throughout the comfortable, cottage-like home. A low, bright white

table topped with IKEA vases and a squat pottery lamp is accented with an

electric blue European-designed and -manufactured Allermuir Conic chair.

The simple room is a precursor of things to come.

A short walk up gleaming, honey-color oak stairs anchored by

wrought-iron rails leads to a casual living room punctuated by urban style with

an Asian influence. The sun-drenched space features two oversized Henredon

chairs sporting plump, geometrically patterned cushions and antique Japanese

Kenny Beall and Mark Vander Leest have polished their Shawnee home to incorporate modern tones and unique accents.

Dr. Philip C. Gaus, DDS

is pleased to announce the opening of his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery practice in Shawnee. He completed training with the United States Air Force in 1987, earned board certification in 1989 and has practiced in Lawrence and eastern Kansas since 1991. You are invited to stop by the new location for any of your treatment needs including extractions, implants and corrective jaw surgery.

Shawnee Oral Surgery, LC is located near the junction of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Kansas Highway 7.

Please schedule your appointment now.

We look forward to seeing you!

(913) 948-7766 Philip C. Gaus DDS 6844 Silverheel Street • Shawnee, KS 66226 www.gausdds.com

Shawnee

living

sHawneemagazine

kimono pillows by Kansas City textile artist Linda Flake, along with a plush sofa in a nubby caramel and black fabric.

The wood-burning fireplace with white-painted brick is dramatically framed against a wall of rich teal. An antique wooden shoji Japanese door, which Beall discovered on a Denver shopping excursion, leans against the wall.

A tall, slender chrome floor lamp positioned by one of the chairs is topped with a large, drum-style shade in a cool gunmetal gray from Kansas City lamp designer Barbara Cosgrove; the shade’s interior is shiny silver. A brown-hued Asimi wool area rug from Crate and Barrel is a subtle, neutral component.

The 1,800-square-foot residence sits in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood, a magical, quaint subdivision tucked in Shawnee’s eastern edge that boasts nearly 60

8

homes in myriad styles. Built in the late 1952 in what was then a growing Kansas City suburb, the area was home to many TWA pilots and their families.

Thick with indigenous trees, stately pines and towering evergreens, the neighborhood attracted Beall and Vander Leest during a house-hunting expedition in 2007.

They couldn’t resist the neighborhood’s jewel-box footprint, architectural charms, diverse residents and privacy.

“The neighborhood is storybook-ish,” says Beall, a workspace change consultant with Lenexa-based Evologic. “We live on Robin Hood Lane in Sherwood Forest.

How enchanting does that sound?”

Beall says the irony of living in a neighborhood dubbed Sherwood Forest lies in the provenance of his Japanese mother’s art.

“She was an animator for a 1967 Japanese cartoon created from a classic comic book series,” says Beall. “The main character, Lupin Sansei, was a gentleman thief who traveled the world with his gang, stealing treasures, a la Robin Hood.”

TOP Sleek lines and warm colors are found throughout the house.

CENTER The striking IKEA vases in the living room are an attention-grabber.

ABOVE Structured built-ins help with storage and allow the couple to highlight their interest in wine with old corks and a beautiful decanter.

ABOVE RIGHT The dining room plays on unique elements such as the office chairs purchased at an auction.

Shawnee

living

“There’s convenient prep space and room to move for any task,” says Beall.

The diminutive dining room off the kitchen is filled with a long table and cushy black leather office chairs purchased at auction. Photographs that Beall and Vander Leest bought at the Plaza Art Fair decorate the walls. French doors open onto the entertaining deck.

“It feels like you’re in a lush forest,” says Vander Leest, pointing out the property’s nine massive trees. “During spring and summer, something’s always blooming.”

The couple take advantage of living in Shawnee, eating at restaurants such as Pine and Bamboo and Old Shawnee Pizza and attending the Old Shawnee Days Parade with Vander Leest’s children. The group frequents Shawnee Mission Park where Beall casts a fishing line with the kids. “This is a livable community,” says Vander Leest. “And it’s close to everything. We can be downtown at a Sprint Center concert or shop at Crate and Barrel in Leawood in minutes.”

When Beall and Vander Leest purchased their suburban forest home, they didn’t foresee being enamored with the property and it surroundings. But the setting, along with the house’s fresh interior perspective, proves that in order to personalize something, it’s essential to bring yourself into it.

“There’s really no design rhyme or reason,” admits Beall.

But then, the most personal homes rarely have a formula for success. sm ABOVE A spa-like bathroom is the perfect retreat for a little relaxation.

sHawneemagazine

Beall, who spent his early years on a military base in Japan with his mother and American sailor father, credits his artistic mother with grooming his sense of beauty and love of design. He remains loyal to his penchant for collecting artifacts that express his heritage and for decor that isn’t dictated by the prevailing design winds.

Vander Leest was born and raised in the Dutch town of Pella, Iowa.

His ancestral pieces are sprinkled throughout the house, offering a delicious juxtaposition against the Asian-inspired art and accessories.

“The classic kissing Dutch boy and girl figurine and Delftware pottery next to sleek Japanese bowls are in the kitchen,” says Vander Leest of the collaboration of cultural design throughout the home.

Though Delftware—noted for its blue-and-white glaze—had its start in 16th-century Netherlands, Beall says the art found its way into the studios of Chinese and Japanese craftsmen. That crossover, says Beall, makes the blending of Dutch and Japanese objects an appropriate personalization of the couple’s space. “I first love pieces individually, then co-mingle them,” says Beall of his knack for mixing opposites.

Vander Leest, who sells human resources software for Workday, echoes Beall’s self-assessment of the home’s décor.

“Kenny creates something out of nothing,” says Vander Leest.

The living room’s soft blue-gray walls contrast with the fireplace’s bold teal accent wall; eclectic pieces underscore the home’s relaxed nature. A playful picture of the couple’s beloved Yorkiepoo, Stewie, hangs on a wall while a sculpture of a bleached vine from Thailand that Beall found in the Crossroad’s Black Bamboo gallery sits on a table.

A modern chrome lamp flanks the distinctive piece and a tall, slender white vase that holds dried hibiscus stems plucked from the front yard.

“Very organic,” says Beall, describing his design canvas as driven by found objects and even pieces of furniture purchased on Craigslist. “You don’t have to spend lots to give a room personality.”

In an upper-level bedroom, a headboard originally used as a table at a fundraiser personifies Beall’s design point of view. The bed is paired with an unusual maple chest of drawers—vintage Ethan Allen by Baumritter—bought online for $100 and updated with $75 worth of pulls. In the corner sits an ultra-contemporary molded plywood chair by ICF.

A second-floor bathroom is painted a spa-like green reminiscent of a late-summer meadow and has a modern white pedestal sink and wooden medicine cabinet. The shower’s black granite walls add contrast.

The hallway has an unexpected design element of nine large glass blocks that illuminate the area, creating an illusion of a larger space.

Beall and Vander Leest’s kitchen is small with big-style soul. The slate floor, earth-tone granite countertops and white cabinetry create a crisp, streamlined space where Beall whips up Korean fare such as Bibimbap, a mixed rice dish.

Buttercup gold walls bathe the room in a pleasant glow. An unadorned window offers a seasonal backdrop of the home’s threequarter-acre yard during meal preparation. One wall has floor-to-ceiling cabinets with ample storage, while a built-in cubby displays cookbooks and well-edited objects. A contemporary pendant light with a trio of clear glass fixtures is suspended off-center on the ceiling.

Beall appreciates the kitchen’s generous dose of efficiency for dinner parties and lunches he prepares for Vander Leest’s three children. Beall and resident grill master Vander Leest agree that the kitchen’s formmeets-function hallmark is an attractive benefit.

9

Shawnee

living

Spooky Space

story by

Katy Ryan

photography by

Jason Dailey

A haunted transformation From suburban to spooky, one family home becomes a sight to behold as Halloween nears

sHawneemagazine

Most days of the year, the Sabal family’s two-story Shawnee home resembles

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others in the neighborhood. Yet for a few glorious weeks from mid- to late

October, the home transforms into a Halloween showpiece complete with a

walk-through haunted house and a Pirates of the Caribbean-theme basement.

Michelle Sabal says she’s “always been big into Halloween,” which

explains her careful cultivation of props, decorations and supplies that add up

to a truly impressive stock of Halloween-themed items.

The family’s haunted house has quickly become a neighborhood

favorite. Michelle says the tradition began several years ago in conjunction

with a big Halloween party thrown by another neighbor.

“They started the neighborhood costume party, so one year we decided we

should do a haunted house with it, and that’s how it has evolved,” she says.

“I’ve been collecting for about 10 years, so we have a lot of items.”

The Pirates of the Caribbean-themed basement is a mainstay at the Sabal house. But come fall, the family is all in on a Halloween haunted house.

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Shawnee

living

Michelle frequents Halloween stores throughout the season and admits that many of the employees know her by name (she even received a job offer last year).

She scours Halloween websites and stores beginning in July, selecting props that fit a theme. This year, the family’s three-car garage will be transformed into a “Funeral at a Haunted House,” complete with a passageway that leads to several rooms: a haunted parlor, a portrait gallery and a witches’ room. The path ends in a haunted graveyard as guests exit.

Michelle and her family rely mostly on store-bought decorations to set a spooky tone, but they also get creative with the previous years’ items so that visitors don’t see the same thing year after year.

sHawneemagazine

Various elements seen in the popular basement are also used during Halloween when the Sabals, friends and neighbors come together to construct a show-stopping attraction.

12

“Last year my husband made me a big wooden stand, and there’s a Frankenstein that’s stuck to it,” she says. “I put these plasma balls on top, and when you turn them on, it looks like a scientific experiment is running. I wrapped a Slinky around it so it looks like Frankenstein is attached to the plasma balls, and I placed a device that shakes underneath the Frankenstein so when you walk by he shakes like he’s being electrocuted.”

Although the haunted house is typically open the week prior to Halloween, preparing for the event is a yearlong process. Michelle selects a theme the first week of November, and during the winter the family begins thinking about what props to make.

“Usually around March or April we start thinking about supplies,” she says.

“We made this year’s props in May. We kind of have to do it in stride because it costs a decent amount of money to make the props, so we try to even it out throughout the year.”

The decorations continue inside the house, although those viewings are reserved for close friends only. The dining room hosts Michelle’s Lemax Spooky Town Village, a collectible series of houses and buildings found at Michaels and other retailers. “I started putting things up in midAugust,” she says. “It takes about two months to put everything up.”

Despite the time-consuming nature of the display, Michelle says it’s worthwhile. Her friends and neighbors eagerly anticipate each year’s haunted house. Michelle’s husband, Al, and their children Olivia, 11, and Parker, 9, also enjoy participating, decorating and deciding what to do the next year.

Although the decorations come down in the week following Halloween, a piece of whimsy remains displayed in the Sabal household year-round. Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, the Sabal family created a pirate-theme basement complete with a corrugated stone facade on the walls, hanging skeletons, a Davy Jones figure, lanterns and more.

“We love the movies, so it started when the first one came out,” Michelle says. “We had all of these pirate props for Halloween that we’d used over the years, so the kids and I decided to make a pirate basement. We like to go down there and watch movies.”

Michelle aspires to have a bigger and better prop collection, and she’s even been inspired by the animatronic displays found in Kansas City’s downtown haunted houses such as The Beast and The Edge of Hell.

“I wish I could afford things like that, but I get creative with what I have,” she says. “The neighbors just love it, too. Some of them have their own decorations, so they’ll donate items one year to mix things up a bit. They’re all in on it.” sm

St. Joseph Early Education Center “Let the little children come to me.”

Providing High Quality Early Childhood Education since 1988 For children ages 6 weeks to 5 years Extended daycare for school-age students ly Recent Voted

Care Best Day in the ity Kansas C Area

11525 Johnson Drive Shawnee, KS 66203 913.631.0004 www.archkckcs.org/stjoe

www.ShawneeKSChamber.com | www.GoodStartsHere.com

Be a superhero at the

2010 Business Expo.

Thursday, October 7 | 2—7 p.m. | Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216

Connect with the community.

Network with business leaders.

Tour the expressions Art Gallery, sponsored by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Learn with the City of Shawnee Fire and Police Departments.

Go green with eco-friendly exhibitors.

Make an impression.

Live your brand.

Experience Expo.

Exhibitor booths available.

Contact the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce for availability.

FREE to the public to attend.

Thank you to the Presenting Sponsor,

15100 W. 67th St. | Suite 202 | Shawnee, KS 66217 | p 913.631.6545 | info@shawneekschamber.com

good, colorful

cheer

Story by Gloria Gale Photography by Jason Dailey

These festive rooms—decked out for the season of celebration— hold holiday surprises

A

s we embark on the holiday season, we present six homes filled with sparkling creativity from those who spiff and polish all year long—the design pros.

Delightfully, their masterful touches are yours to peruse.

Dream big, settle in and weave yourself a spell of nostalgia. Let the hunt for good tidings and mistletoe begin.

Jill

Tran

Jill Tran wreathes her decor with a sure touch.

Birch and walnut branches add a natural touch as they cozily flank the stone hearth.

Red—her favorite color—is highlighted fireside in a splay of roses, impish cardinals and glowing tapers.

A beveled glass table and green fabric with gold embroidered leaves on the love seat provide shimmer while creating a feeling of warmth and sheer delight.

Jill Tran Interior Design, Llc – (913) 268-9595 www.jilltran.com

Tamara

Hudson

Tamara Hudson is convinced calories don’t count as she and three friends settle in for a kitschy Christmas bash.

Her over-the-top pink and black palette is a merry mix of all things retro. Surrounded by dashes of vintage ’50s decor, Hudson cheerily flaunts her hip, holiday style.

Hudson’s jolly décor touches, designed to make you smile, include pink twinkling lights, oodles of flocked trees, feathers galore and a cut-glass bowl filled with—what else?—plenty of … punch.

Encore Interiors – (913) 268-5393

Kathleen

Ramsey

Nothing says Christmas like Santa, and Kathleen Ramsey’s client wanted to make sure her collection didn’t go unnoticed.

What better place to showcase the jolly old elves than on the baby grand?

A bevy of elegant crystal Santas rest on a tablecloth showered under a cascade of silk ribbons. Instead of tapers in the candelabra’s arms, Ramsey used another collection of cut-glass ornaments to heighten the sparkling effect.

Ramsey Interiors – (913) 449-4925 www.ramseyinteriors.com

Cathy

Dykman-Cunard

Company’s coming, and Cathy Dykman-Cunard is ready.

Complementing her client’s silvery-blue textured dining room, she designed a formal table for eight.

Two silver stags make an elegant centerpiece on this traditional table Dykman-Cunard set with cherry red and blue accents amid glints of sterling and crystal.

Pillar candles power part of the mantel scene Dykman-Cunard dressed in the living room. For heightened effect, a mirrored star sits among boughs of evergreen, crystal trim and amaryllis.

Designers Three – (913) 402-0264 www.designersthree.com

Deb

Vogler

A minimalist Christmas is what Deb Vogler’s client desired for her holiday decor.

Vogler obliged, delivering a rustic elegant design featuring a trio of giant bark-covered bells on the stacked stone fireplace. Simple, slender trees twinkle nearby accompanied by shining pillars and a box of copper-clad acorns and pinecones.

Best of all, a comfy rocker waits for a good night’s read.

Comfort by Design – (913) 522-2860 www.comfortbydesignkc.com

Susan

Sage

Susan Sage pulls out her creativity card while staging all the Christmas greetings decoratively in one place.

Sage discovered an old dresser frame castoff and painted it black. Then she stapled on batting overlaid with a crisp tartan plaid fabric and ribbon.

While the cards stay tidy, a crackling fire dances in the hearth dressed with two clay urn topiaries, some votives and a festive stencil design painted by the homeowner. sm

Casual Elegance Interiors – (913) 940-1333

Shawnee

businesses Amboseli Market & Café 12678 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 631-2233

A marketplace

of ideas

Kenyan restaurant owner hopes eatery serves as a cultural meeting place

story by

Vince Meserko

photography by

Jason Dailey

Tucked at the back

sHawneemagazine

of a nondescript strip

mall on Shawnee Mission Parkway sits a little piece of

Kenya: Amboseli Market & Café.

While the storefront may

be typical, the story that lies

behind it is anything but.

Amboseli’s owner, who goes

by the pseudonym Ababio O.

Ababio, is an author, a poet

and a Kenyan immigrant

who left his homeland in 1986

to pursue what he describes in

20

one of his memoirs as the “elusive American dream.” He studied chemistry at Central Missouri State University and now works as a scientist, but his passions lie with Amboseli.

“It’s a linking place between us and America,” Ababio says of his store. “It’s a showcase of Africa—the best that it has to offer.”

His business, which he co-owns with his brother Michel B. Osinde and opened in April, sells African cooking products at the front of the

ABOVE LEFT Ababio O. Ababio opened Amboseli Market & Café to follow his American dream of sharing his homeland and teaching others about Kenyan culture.

ABOVE RIGHT Co-owner Michel B. Osinde displays some of the unique wine available at the market and café.

store. The back serves as an unconventional sports bar where traditional African wines, coffees and teas are served while fans watch soccer and other sports. Amboseli also offers frequent food-tasting events and a place for film screenings, poetry readings and musical performances.

More than anything, though, Ababio hopes it serves as a networking site that fosters cross-cultural dialogue among artists, filmmakers, poets and anyone else who might be curious.

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Memories onored H

www.amosfamily.com

Shawnee MiSSion

Ford

11501 Shawnee Mission Parkway (4 lights west of I-35 on Shawnee Mission Pkwy)

(913) 631-0000 Shawnee, KS 66203 www.ShawneeMissionFord.com

Serving the Greater Kansas City area for over 50 Years!

Shawnee

businesses

sHawneemagazine

He says Shawnee was a particularly well-suited place to make this dialogue happen. “It’s a community that I’m now part of,” he says of Shawnee and the Kansas City area. “[Amboseli] is a way that we can contribute to the community that has now become our home.”

It makes sense that Ababio views the Shawnee community and Amboseli as places that would allow for the free exchange of ideas across cultures. It was the absence of that freedom of expression that made him anxious to leave Kenya. He saw too many friends being detained without trial, and he knew it was time to go.

“Anytime you criticized the political system, you were labeled a seditious individual. I did not want my life to end up like that, so I decided to come to visit America for the freedom of the press and to be able to express your opinion,” he says.

Ababio is quick to point out that life in America is difficult too. As a small-business owner in the wake of a punishing recession, he says the idealized notion of material success that he thought would greet him in America has proven to be more challenging than he expected.

“It was very hard financially. We could not get a loan from the bank, so I decided to get some money from my retirement because I believe you have to take a risk,” Ababio says. “If I fail, it’s not for not trying.”

While acknowledging that, more often than not, new restaurants fail quickly, Ababio says Amboseli was worth the risk because it is not just a restaurant. For him, it represents something more—something grander and more authentic.

“For Americans, they can come here and can meet actual African people,” Ababio says. The cultural learning experience that takes place at Amboseli is different, he says, because people are engaging one-on-one.

One of those people drawn to the face-to-face interactions at Amboseli is Pamela Collett, a 65-year-old who has split time between Kansas City and Nairobi, Kenya, since 1997. She and her son, Nathan Collett, and Kenyan producer Mercy Murugu have helped pioneer the Kibera Film School and the Togetherness Supreme film project in Kibera, east Africa’s largest slum. This gives the youths of Kibera the chance to create films that document their lives and interaction with Kenyan politics and culture. Collett has shown several short films at Amboseli including Friends Remain Friends and The Kibera Kid.

“[People of Kibera] live in substandard conditions, but they are not substandard people. They’re creative, talented people,” Collett says.

Amboseli has given her a place between her travels to show others just how wonderful the people of Kibera are through these two films, she says.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” she says of Amboseli. “I want to encourage people throughout the Shawnee Mission area to come learn something about Africa and meet a lot of interesting people.”

While Amboseli is still in its beginning stages, Ababio says his plans transcend any monetary rewards.

“My ideal dream for this place is to see a place where people—whether they are black or white or an immigrant or Native American—find something that is common to them,” he says. sm

22

ABOVE The market offers a variety of

authentic Kenyan items, including textiles and beverages. Amboseli also hosts events such as documentary showings.

Historical Hauntings October

Party & Wedding Services

40% off one Regular Priced Halloween Item.

expires 11/1/10 • See store for other restrictions.

913.631.3772 • www.funpartykc.com 12119 Johnson Dr. • Shawnee, KS Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat 9am-6pm • Sun 12pm-5pm

www.GoodStar tsHere.com

Shawnee

businesses WAXY O’SHEA’S IRISH PUB 11900 Shawnee Mission Parkway (913) 631-1759

Becoming an

Irish legend

There’s plenty of craic to be had at Waxy O’Shea’s

Monday-Sunday

11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m.

www.waxyosheas.com

story by

Claire M. Caterer

photography by

Tim Andersen

Music spills out the wooden doors as waiters

sHawneemagazine

hasten to arrange tables and

chairs on the patio.

A whoop goes up from the

crowd. Inside, a smiling man

drapes ropes of green beads

around children’s necks as

waitresses thread through the

bar bearing pints of Guinness.

A woman shouldering

bagpipes blows high, lonely

notes as she strolls into the

24

Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub and Restaurant is a popular gathering spot for those in search of Irish fun.

dining room, and around her a tall Englishman hustles to find places for people to sit.

While it’s not quite a Dublin tavern, the near-authentic setting is Waxy O’Shea’s, an Irish pub in Shawnee.

Once home to a succession of failed restaurants, the location may seem like a strange place for an Irish pub. But inside, the black-panel walls, brass fittings and shiny bar

imported from Ireland via designer Andy Thornton of West Yorkshire, England, help thirsty patrons relax from their busy lifestyles.

Longtime Shawnee-area residents Lee Sanford and Bob Ridenhour, proprietors of Waxy O’Shea’s, boasts strong Celtic ties. Sanford’s grandfather was born in Ireland, Ridenhour’s wife is Welsh, and in the 1970s the pair traveled abroad.

“We toured Wales and Scotland

Making Life More Livable for our Residents... and their families, too!

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248-1500 for more information or to schedule your personal tour.

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Shawnee

businesses and Ireland playing rugby and always liked the pub culture over there,” says Sanford.

It was an appealing idea to bring that culture to the United States.

Though the partners have operated other Irish pubs in the metro area— W.J. McBride’s in Overland Park and O’Dowd’s on the Country Club Plaza—they were intrigued when the Shawnee location became vacant.

“This building always had a pub look to us,” says Sanford. So, undeterred by the frequent tenant turnover, he and Ridenhour opened Waxy O’Shea’s in July 2009.

They borrowed the name from a pub owner and raconteur who lived in Ireland during the early 1900s. They thought the name sounded fun, which is the whole point of a pub, right? Likewise, Sanford wants people to think of Waxy’s as the craic (pronounced “crack”)—the Gaelic term for fun.

“The pub in Britain and Ireland is almost a community center,” Sanford says. “People go to meet and talk and socialize.” That’s the

sHawneemagazine

ambiance he and Ridenhour try to replicate with events like open mic night, karaoke and the Tuesday-night “pub quiz,” a communal trivia game popular in England. Local bands like the Musical Blades and The Radio Flyers provide live music on the weekends.

Because music is central to an Irish pub, Waxy’s provides an ongoing venue for Irish musicians on Wednesday nights.

The Three Dollar Band and Bob Reeder, aka “the Irish Balladeer,” are frequent performers. Reeder, who lives in Independence and plays music all over the metro, says

26

TOP Irish musician Bob Reeder entertains a busy crowd.

CENTER Lee Sanford, left, and Bob Ridenhour are the craicseeking owners of Waxy O’Shea’s in Shawnee and Branson, Missouri.

BOTTOM Bartender Paul Spencer, better known as “Spence,” knows just the cure for a long day.

Shawnee

businesses Waxy’s is “a great representation of the culture.” He adds that the pub gives people a valuable link to their ancestry. “Everybody does claim their heritage because it is their rock to stand on,” says Reeder.

Reeder respects Waxy’s ties to the old country, noting the business owners’ support for Children for Peace in Ireland, a nonprofit group that works in Northern Ireland and Kansas City to bridge the gap between Catholic and Protestant teens. He adds that Sanford and Ridenhour are “a duo that believe in the Irish traditions.”

In its 14 months of business, Waxy’s has attracted many loyal regulars. Timmy O’Brien has abandoned his previous pub favorite for Waxy’s.

“It’s a much more friendly, genuine atmosphere,” he says. O’Brien, who has traveled extensively in Ireland, adds that Waxy’s proprietors have captured the authentic pub experience. He enjoys the menu, especially the fish and chips, which Sanford confirms as a top seller.

Waxy’s airy dining room just off the bar gives adults and families alike the chance to enjoy traditional Irish pub fare as well as American favorites.

Scotch eggs, shepherd’s pie and the “boxty,” a kind of potato-pancake wrap filled with meat or seafood, are just a few Irish offerings, along with a large selection of Irish ales on tap. Marge Clark, a patron from western Shawnee, enjoys the Waxy’s Sampler Platter. “The calamari is the best I’ve had anywhere, including Hawaii,” she says, adding that the Ellis Island Reuben is her favorite sandwich.

Sanford says Waxy O’Shea’s is here to stay. The partners recently added an attractive outdoor patio. Several new menu items have debuted, including a strip steak, pork chops and salmon. Sanford’s vision for the pub is to grow and embrace the community while trying to bring something new to the area. “We’re not a chain. You can’t go to one on every block,” he says.

He urges Shawnee folks to shift their ideas about American bars and try something a little different, and not just on St. Patrick’s Day.

Any day, says Sanford, is a good one to enjoy the craic. sm

KISS ME, I’M IRISH

These organizations help locals explore their Irish roots.

The Irish American Club of Johnson County

The social club was founded “to promote Irish culture and to create an appreciation for Irish heritage.” Open membership. Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Court of Appeals Pub & Grub, 11121 Johnson Drive, Shawnee.

www.irishamericanclubofshawnee.com

The Celtic Fringe

The club membership “is open and inclusive to anyone with interest in Celtic culture.” Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at The Gaf, 7122 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri.

www.celticfringe.org

The Irish Museum and Cultural Center

Enjoy classes in Irish Gaelic language, dance, music and genealogy plus exhibits and a gift shop at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri; (816) 474-3848. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday.

www.irishmuseum.org

For more information on Kansas City’s Irish offerings, visit www.kcirish.org.

sHawneemagazine

Closed Monday and Tuesday.

27

Local

profiles career changes

story by

Gloria Gale

photography by

Tim Andersen

Shifting gears sHawneemagazine

For those who have been outsourced, downsized or are simply ready to evolve, changing careers makes perfect sense

28

It begins with a gnawing in your gut—something just doesn’t feel right. You’re not sick; you just feel queasy. Your internal climate doesn’t match your outward demeanor.

In today’s rapidly changing marketplace, five professional who live or work in Shawnee felt the same disconnect.

Pam Cooper made a change from the corporate world to become owner of the UPS store in Shawnee.

Local

profiles Kevin Tubbesing traded in a busy IT business for real estate.

After considerable soul-searching they stepped back, re-evaluated and made a decision to change careers. Armed with a broader perspective and calculated strategies, they reflect the new work force: energized and fulfilled.

Former self-proclaimed “techie” Kevin Tubbesing was immersed in his work managing a consortium of information technology companies for 11 years.

As an owner/CEO of a multi division IT company, Tubbesing was responsible in an instant-demand business. “That says it right there.

When the lines of communication are down, there’s little tolerance for anything less than ‘right now,’” he says.

Tubbesing realized the toll his job was taking on him and his family and sold the company in 2005. He spent the next four months analyzing potential opportunities.

After talking with people and examining everything from entrepreneurial ideas to franchises, he decided to buy an abandoned gas station. He expanded the building for commercial purposes and found he enjoyed the process of redeveloping real estate.

“In midlife, I completely changed from a fast-paced technology to a deliberate-paced technology, which meant I had to shift my business style,” Tubbesing says.

His current commercial real estate enterprise, Evergreen Real Estate Services, fits his lifestyle to a T rather than an IT. These days, Tubbesing is focused on developing properties throughout the Shawnee area. “When you make a midcareer move, you do so with more maturity and experience than when you entered business. This gives you the ability to better assess the risks and rewards of your new venture rather than stay safe where you are out of complacency,” he says.

That statement rings true for Shawnee resident Pam Cooper, who was safely bound by “golden handcuffs” that kept her from leaving her corporate job at Ecolab. “It’s tough to give up all the perks, but I knew that I had to take a risk,” she says.

“God wanted me in a different place,” she says, recalling that the career change forced her to weigh her options. “I had an MBA with a

– Tammie Green

career in finance. But truth be told, I always wanted to be involved in a small business where I could get to know the customers,” says Cooper.

She drew on her internal motivation to open her first UPS store in Shawnee.

“We started with one, then added a second and third store. It’s seven years later, and I couldn’t be happier,” she says.

Fellow Shawnee resident Tammie Green understands Cooper’s decision. “I also was in the corporate world for 25 years but had a revelation about three years ago that I wasn’t going to retire from DST. In my gut, I knew I wanted a change,” she says.

Green believes there are no coincidences. She was laid off from DST in 2010 but says “it wasn’t devastating. It was a blessing. A friend then introduced me to a homebased business that sells communications.”

It’s been a great journey for Green, who concedes that working alongside her husband, a partner in the business, has been the biggest adjustment.

For those changing careers, Green has a few recommendations. “Be positive. Success

sHawneemagazine

Tammie Green left the corporate world to work alongside her husband in communications.

“Be positive. Success means taking baby steps. Always keep your options open, have a plan, then work the plan.”

29

Brad Henry chose a career in insurance after experiencing a series of life changes.

Paula Switzer chose creativity over technology when leaving IBM for the stationery business.

means taking baby steps. Always keep your options open, have a plan, then work the plan.”

Sometimes the forces of change come swiftly and without warning. Brad Henry’s 59-year-old father died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. “My first child was born two weeks later, then we tried celebrating our wedding anniversary.

Sixteen months later we had another child.”

The cherished and sad events in Henry’s life forced him to re-examine his own. “I loved being an elementary teacher but realized I needed to take control of my life, which felt out of my control. I resigned in the middle of the school year and then decided to become an insurance broker for an American Family [Insurance office] based in Shawnee.”

Though everyone, including his principal, was shocked by his decision, Henry says it was the right move for him.

Although Henry had little experience working in the field, he did have a master’s degree in administration, which he says helps. With some additional studying and training, he thinks this career change will afford him a chance to build financial success. “I anticipate this will be a lifetime career move for me,” he says.

However, Henry is still in his 20s and has a long career path ahead. He can look to people like Paula Switzer, who is an example of a career changer. Her professional journey began as a Spanish teacher then shifted as she became a marketing representative for IBM.

“What I discovered during my six years at IBM was that I loved being able to help serve customer problems by providing them with excellent products and support,” she says.

That knowledge helped propel her into management development training.

“I found I was pretty good at sales, which helped me make the leap from corporate America to starting my business almost 20 years ago,” she says.

Today Switzer works from home for a card-sending business, SendOutCards. “Not only is it about selling a product, it’s about relationship building,” she says.

She shares some simple advice for those contemplating a new path.

“Life is short. Do what you love to do,” she says. “Become flexible and realize learning never ends.” sm

A GreAt MArketinG tool for your Business to advertise contact

Mary Hay E-Mail: mhay@sunflower.com Phone: 913.631.1611

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t a e r g The escue pet rry friends Fur haven at find a ee shelter Shawn

y y byan r o R

ty Ka

St

y y bn h p e

s r ader g o n

ot A P h Tim

Brewster, 2-year-old pit bull

Jacob, 1-to 5-year-old cat

Save the date

Maximillian, 3-year-old lab/terrier mix

Interested in adoptin g an animal?

Visit Animal Haven du ring the annual Dogtober Fest, a thre e-day adoption event October 22-24 . Adoption specials will be available for bo th dogs and cats.

Visit www.animalhav enkc.org for more information.

“The message we have for Shawnee residents is that if they ever lose a pet, Animal Haven is the first place they should check. It’s likely that this is where the pet will be.”

– Teresa Johnson

meow

I n Sh a wn e e , t h e r e is a s a fe pl a ce for o u r f u r ry fr i e n ds .

For more than four decades, Animal Haven, a no-kill animal shelter, has served surrounding communities as a center for pet adoption and an organization managing lost or stray pets.

The reality

On this particular day, the staff members at Animal Haven find themselves with an unexpected delivery: more than 30 cats. A combination of adults and kittens have been liberated from a cat colony in western Kansas and sent to Animal Haven for medical attention and care.

In a well-lit room within Animal Haven’s lost pet center, the cats and kittens wait in cages, some pacing, some nursing wounds and some desperately seeking sleep. Their ailments are numerous and heartbreaking: diseased eyes that need removal, intestinal parasites, fleas, sores and malnutrition.

A group of animals in such dire need isn’t only taxing on staff or volunteers at the shelter, but it’s costly. According to Bonnie Dechant, Animal Haven’s resident veterinarian, the financial burden is large and at times overwhelming. She estimates that immunization, tests and medication for the 30 cats will cost Animal Haven nearly $16,000. But because Animal Haven is one of the few no-kill shelters in the Kansas City area, the staff will treat and care for the animals until they’re healthy enough for adoption.

Overcoming obstacles

Teresa Johnson, CEO and executive director of Animal Haven, says the contracts to manage lost or stray pets throughout Johnson County are what set the shelter apart from other nearby nonprofit, no-kill facilities. As a result, Animal Haven staff and volunteers accept additional responsibilities to seek pet owners.

“We’re very proactive in looking for owners,” Johnson says. “We use Craigslist, lost pet sites, fliers and incoming telephone reports. We’re very successful with our reclaim rate.”

Despite Animal Haven’s history and prevalence throughout the community, Johnson says one of the biggest ongoing obstacles is awareness of the shelter and its services.

“The message we have for Shawnee residents is that if they ever lose a pet, Animal Haven is the first place they should check,” she says. “It’s likely that this is where the pet will be.”

In addition to maintaining the Lost Pet Center, which also helps people seeking to relinquish their pets for financial or other reasons, Animal Haven is home to more than 200 dogs, cats and animals such as rabbits or other small pets seeking adoption. The adoption center is in Animal Haven’s original building, while the center moved to a facility across the street as a result of a much-needed expansion.

Fulfilling a need

Inside Animal Haven’s adoption center, animals are housed in several rooms as they wait to be placed in a permanent home. Each animal has its own kennel, and puppies and dogs are rotated through outdoor kennels that include a swimming pool. Dogs are regularly walked and interact in playgroups, which communications and public relations specialist Lindsay Haake says serve as an important part of the dogs’ socialization experience.

As a full-service facility, Animal Haven also offers a range of medical care for animals. Dechant estimates 20 to 25 spay/neuter procedures are performed each week but says lately she hasn’t seen as many. Before animals are adopted at Animal Haven, they undergo several procedures including vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, heartworm prevention, and treatment for fleas or other medical conditions if needed.

“When you come to Animal Haven to adopt, your pet will be ready to go to its new home,” Haake says. These procedures necessitate a $75-$150 adoption fee, with other costs that can vary depending on the pet, but that amount is often waived during special events including the upcoming Dogtober Fest.

Working at a no-kill shelter like Animal Haven isn’t always easy, yet Johnson says the most rewarding part of being involved with the organization is the feeling that she is making a difference. “I look at each dog or cat, and they all have a special story to tell me,” she says. “A lot of times they’ve had a hard life, even if they’re young. We’re here to make it better for them and to help them find that second chance.” sm

Teresa Johnson, CEO and executive director, helps her staff to stay focused on finding homes for all the animals; Animal Heaven is a no-kill shelter.

Get involved For more information about Animal Haven, visit

www.animalhavenkc.org

or call (913) 432-7548.

Animal Haven is open for adoptions noon-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tillie, 1-to 5-year-old longhair

pet rs pointe

Because Animal Haven is a nonprofit organization, the facility welcomes supply donations.

Suggested items include:

Unscented clay cat litter (not scoopable) Liquid laundry detergent Dawn dish soap Home Depot or Walmart gift cards Kong brand dog toys Canned cat food Paper towels 50-gallon garbage bags Fleece blankets or fleece material to be made into pet blankets

Owning a pet is no walk in the park. Pets require attention, exercise, regular checkups and training. As you embark on your journey as a new pet owner, consider the following tips for initial and ongoing care.

Think carefully before you select a pet. If you opt for a dog, research several breeds to learn their habits and behavioral traits. Some breeds need frequent exercise and Before you bring your new pet home, ensure your home is pet-proof. Put away items that may be attention, so they may not be ideal for easy to chew or swallow, such as socks or gloves. people with a lengthy or demanding Ensure you’re not harboring any poisonous plants. work schedule. Cats are more self- Experts recommend crawling on the If you haven’t already had your pet microchipped sufficient but still need attention and floor of your home and spayed or neutered, have these processes grooming, especially if you select a to see what may be completed as soon as the pet is old enough. Cats long-haired variety. A bit of planning tempting at a pet’s and dogs should be spayed or neutered between 5 and 6 months of age. This ensures the pet is will go a long way once you’re ready eye level. old enough to reduce possibly surgery-related to select a pet. complications but hasn’t reached sexual maturity.

Microchipping is important, especially for cats.

Animal Haven CEO Teresa Johnson says many cat owners don’t microchip their cats, especially if the cat lives indoors. Yet only 5 percent of lost cats are reunited with owners, a number that could increase exponentially if more pet owners opted for a microchip.

Health &

fitness story by

Carolyn Glade Dvorak

photography by

Tim Andersen

A healthful

move

Tai Chi: the strengthening exercise worth playing Deep breathing. Graceful movements. A slow stretch. And then—a quick fist punch.

Taijiquan, or Tai Chi (tie-chee or tie-gee) as it is more commonly known, seems deceptively slow at first.

But those who learn the ancient Chinese art have found it to be a balance of studied movements and martial arts.

Background

More than 450 years ago, Tai Chi was developed as a means of self-defense and healthy living for those from Chen Village, in the Henan Province of China.

It continues to serve those purposes and has built a worldwide following. Chen Huixian (HWAY-shen), a 20thgeneration descendant of the Chen Village family, teaches the art in Shawnee with her husband, Michael Chritton.

What sets Tai Chi apart from other martial arts is the use of deep breathing and smooth movements with a consciousness of how those movements work together in the body, Huixian says. The punches and kicks are also more explosive. “The power comes from inside, not just muscle power,” says Huixian.

Health benefits of Tai Chi

sHawneemagazine

Facts about Tai Chi

36

› Some descriptions of Tai Chi are coupled with the Chinese symbol of yin yang, the circle that contains a black teardrop shape and a white teardrop shape. That symbol represents opposites and a balance of each needed to create the whole circle. Tai Chi is a combination of slow and fast movements and balance of mind and body. › Tai Chi is used in corporate health programs and can be practiced even in a business suit. › Directly translated, Taijiquan (Tai Chi) means “supreme ultimate fist.” › There are five forms of Tai Chi: Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun, Wu (Hao).

Types of movements vary, but all retain smooth, dancelike forms.

New students slowly learn correct movements and breathing. “That along with consistent practice will increase lung capacity, increase the amount of oxygen to the body’s organs, and everything will be better,” she says.

Tai Chi is thought to lower blood pressure, strengthen muscles and improve balance and bone density, according to Chritton. It is also beneficial for relaxation and stress relief, he says.

Huixian, who started Tai Chi at the age of 6, learned from her father, Grandmaster Chen Chunlei, and uncle, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, while in China. She says her uncle’s first requirement when learning the art was to follow the body’s natural movements.

Aaron Crim practices Tai Chi.

BELOW Tai Chi has many benefits including the alleviation of pain associated with arthritis.

BOTTOM RIGHT Chen Huixian teaches a Tai Chi class at Tumblebuggs in Shawnee.

“The great thing about Tai Chi for young people is it can incorporate more action and deeper movements, whereas for those in their 50s, 60s and 70s who don’t have the flexibility, it can be tailored to their body types,” Chritton says.

Although their students cover a range of age groups, Chritton says Tai Chi sometimes gets the stigma of being for older people because it is a low-impact exercise. However, “when you practice it correctly, you can work up a sweat,” he says.

Bill Douglas teaches Tai Chi at the Shawnee Civic Center. “I think young people feel they have to be moving fast to have a good workout, but Tai Chi can have the same benefit as moderate level aerobics,” he says.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is in his 20s and drives from North Kansas City to attend Huixian and Chritton’s classes. His job requires a lot of standing and recurring motion, which were causing some discomfort.

“I had to get into something, and I’ve always liked martial arts,” he says. Since he’s been practicing Tai Chi, the discomfort is gone.

Shawnee resident Tina Webb has been in Douglas’ class at the Civic Center for 10 years. “I wanted to find an alternative method to handle stress and didn’t want to take medications,” she says.

Webb says she’s realized more benefits beyond stress relief.

Although she had been an allergy sufferer since childhood, she no longer takes pills or shots for those allergies, a change that she attributes to the regular use of Tai Chi.

Learning the deep breathing methods and movements and practicing them daily have contributed to an overall healthier lifestyle, Webb says. She notes that her balance is better and finds the Tai Chi movements make tasks like shoveling snow easier.

“Exercise is certainly important, and this can be one form that is very beneficial for those with Parkinson’s disease,” Lyons says.

Tai Chi helps strengthen core muscles such as the abdominals and can improve balance. The low-impact aspect of the art also makes it a lowrisk exercise because those with Parkinson’s have to deal with loss of stability and increased chances of falling. Lyons also notes that Tai Chi classes help participants relax, which results in decreased anxiety and depression—two factors common for those with chronic illnesses.

Along with Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis can be aided by practicing Tai Chi. According to the Arthritis Foundation’s official website, “Good range-of-motion exercises include Tai Chi ... [it] reduces the pain and impairment for people with severe knee osteoarthritis. Also reduces stress and can improve balance.”

Chritton says his family has a history of arthritis, and doctors have noted the disease in some of his joints. However, he says he feels no pain from the arthritis, which he attributes to the daily practice of Tai Chi.

He, Chen and Douglas all stress that the greatest benefits from Tai Chi come from consistent workouts. “Generally speaking, you can usually see results after the first month or so of attending class regularly,” Chritton says. “Obviously, if you ‘do your homework’ and practice in your own time outside of class, you will notice more benefits in shorter time.” sm

Arthritis Foundation www.arthritis.org

Tai Chi and chronic illnesses

sHawneemagazine

Kelly Lyons, Ph.D., is director of research and education for the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. For two years, she has been using a DVD by Douglas that was created to help those with Parkinson’s disease retain flexibility.

37

Health &

fitness story by

Kimberly Winter Stern

photography by

Jason Dailey

For the

meat

lover

John and Diane Suman sell meat the old-fashioned way: naturally

sHawneemagazine

When John Suman says “never ever,” he means it.

38

A Cut Above Natural Meats 5431 Roberts St. (913) 825-4375 www.acanaturalmeats.com Monday-Friday

10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday

9 a.m.-7 p.m.

John and his wife, Diane, own Shawnee’s A Cut Above Natural Meats, an entrepreneurial venture they opened in November 2009 following a family vacation when they decided to take control of their professional destiny.

They wanted to sell meat that was not only good but also healthier than what is typically sold in many grocery stores.

The meats sold at the Sumans’ old-fashioned butcher shop hark back to a time when food was pure, simple and straightforward. The Sumans sell beef, poultry, pork, veal, lamb, seafood and exotic game free of growth-promoting antibiotics, steroids or growth hormones. Their business philosophy is underscored by one word that permeates everything they do: passion.

“Our motto is, ‘Never ever, from birth to plate.’ In other words, the meat we sell is void of subtherapeutic antibiotics and hormones and steroids,” says John. “We are dedicated to offering our customers the best of the best, but we don’t try to convince them we have the best.

Our other motto says, ‘Let your eyes and taste buds do the talking.’”

According to the Sumans, the store’s meat not only tastes good but is good for you.

“Older customers tell me that our product is reminiscent of the meat they would get before the industry started injecting animals with hormones in order to get them to market faster,” says John. “I also have a new generation of consumers that demands the pharmaceutical-free product because they know it’s healthier.”

John says the proof of his premium product is in the unadulterated taste.

“Forget the fact that natural is better for you,” says John. “It just tastes better, has a more pleasing texture and vibrant color.”

John spent 30 years in the retail meat industry, managing large departments in California, Missouri and

sunday

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kabobs are a popular item at A Cut Above Natural Meats in Shawnee, where the owners sell meat that is free of hormones and steroids.

BELOW John and Diane Suman opened their store in November 2009 as an answer to an entrepreneurial calling.

BELOW RIGHT John, who is known to butcher from time to time, has seen

the effects of all-natural meat on his customers and his daughter.

sHawneemagazine

Kansas; Diane is a veteran of customer service. Together the couple have designed a retail meat shop that is among several in the country leading the charge away from pharmaceutical excess in the food chain.

The Sumans believe in an uncomplicated, natural diet and avoid eating artificial hormones and ingredients.

In addition to an unwavering commitment to the superior quality of their product, the Sumans can verify the source of their domestic free-range meats. “They are traceable to the place of birth and back to their original bloodlines,” says John. “That allows them to be certified to the industry’s highest standards.”

John is meticulous about researching the best all-natural meat programs and has personal relationships with many vendors. “They do business the way I like to,” says John. “With integrity and unwavering quality.”

The store features Vintage Natural Beef from California’s Imperial Valley. John selected it based on the company’s ability to deliver a consistent, premium product. “This beef has extraordinary taste as a result of the purity of a single breed sourced from a small group of ranchers with generations of experience,” says John.

A Cut Above Natural Meats also sells bison from New Grass Bison Co. of Kansas City, Missouri, and pork from Beeler’s Pork in Madison County, Iowa. Like the Sumans, the people who own these small operations have a mission to produce quality products.

Mark Schneider, a western Shawnee resident, has purchased meat from A Cut Above Natural Meats since John opened the doors last year. Schneider is part of the award-winning Holy Smoke competition barbecue team. The team buys briskets and pork from John to smoke at events across the Midwest, including the world’s largest barbecue, the American Royal Invitational.

“I shop in John’s store two to three times a week,” says Schneider.

“He has the best briskets in town, and I like the fact that my family is eating all-natural meat.”

Schneider says John’s passion for his art as a butcher is contagious.

“He is creative and knows how to work with customers to help them get the most from the meats they buy,” says Schneider.

A Cut Above Natural Meats even sells market-fresh, all-beef hot dogs from whole muscle meats and artisan sausages that John prepares in the back room of the store. A quick perusal of the meat cases in the front of the shop reveals glistening links of fat sausages including bratwurst, chorizo and andouille. For the creative foodie, these handcrafted sausages mean two things: good cooking and good eating.

The Sumans are more like traditional shopkeepers than storeowners. A Cut Above Natural Meats has a clean environment that attracts customers. John and his meat specialists offer custom cuts that are hand-trimmed and wrapped in butcher paper like the finest of holiday gifts.

“One of our trademarks is to offer very personalized customer attention,” says John. “We get to know our clients and sell them meat according to their specific needs and budget.”

When it comes to doing things the old-fashioned way, A Cut Above Natural Meats delivers the real deal—and John knows his customers appreciate a product that is steeped in tradition. sm

39

Q& A

Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Katy Ibsen. Photograph by Jason Dailey.

with

Kevin Fern

sHawneemagazine

Executive Director Shawnee Convention & Visitors Bureau

40

With a wry sense of humor, Kevin Fern, executive director of the Shawnee Convention & Visitors Bureau, explains how he arrived in Shawnee.

“I came home to Shawnee straight from the hospital, so I guess I would have to say Mom and Dad. Literally, I came here in a carriage; a baby carriage, that is,” he says as the youngest of eight children, all raised in Shawnee.

While this is true, his father actually had seen Shawnee as an ideal place to raise a family when they arrived in the early ’50s. “He had a strong desire to see his family raised in a well-established Catholic parish, like was here in St. Joseph Church,” says Fern.

He continued at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas, all the while calling Shawnee home. Who better to be nominated and eventually oversee the operations of a familyfriendly community thriving with attractions?

After a stint in the hotel business, he filled the CVB shoes. “I loved the hotel business, but I love promoting Shawnee even more; kind of all of the glitter and none of the guilt.”

What new initiatives is the CVB working on?

We are about to launch an updated video on the website, and I am really excited about the long-term goal to develop uniform, directional signage throughout the city. The city is about to break ground on the farmstead at Shawnee Town, which will be a unique and exciting new attraction to market. Working the many events we have during the summer and fall is always a challenge, but it is a lot of fun.

What exactly will farmstead at Shawnee Town entail in terms of an attraction?

What brings you back to Shawnee?

All the people I truly care about are here. To me, family and friends are first and foremost. I have lived in other cities for periods of time, but Shawnee was always home and I knew it always would be. There was just never any question that wherever [else] I was, it was just temporary.

Sooner rather than later I would be back home in Shawnee.

How did you find yourself in the travel and tourism industry?

About 15 years ago, a friend got into the hotel business and asked me to go to work for him, and I loved it. Then, the mayor appointed me to serve on the Shawnee CVB. When the staff position came open, I had a pretty good idea what the job entailed.

Where is the first place you recommend to Shawnee visitors?

Oh, I am smarter than that! We have so many, let’s see … alphabetical order: Ice Sports, Johnson County Museum, Little Monkey Bizness, Park Lanes, Power Play, Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball, Shawnee Town, Wonderscope.

It will be a one-of-a-kind attraction as it replicates a 1920s era truck farm (where vegetables were grown before being trucked to the market).

Shawnee has such a great history, and this will truly highlight a period that is rich in cultural and ethnic traditions that built the foundation for our modern-day growth and success.

It is important to remember, as you get older, what will future generations find interesting? While cowboys and Indians may have been intriguing 20 or 30 years ago, Model T’s and telephones will be what the children being born today will want to learn about.

Why is Shawnee a good travel and tourism destination?

Shawnee is just a few minutes from the variety of attractions the metropolitan area has to offer, but we are far enough out to have that genuine small-town feel.

What makes Shawnee special?

It may sound like a cliché, but the people. I think we in Shawnee have a special, down-home hospitality that is hard to find.

What might visitors not expect to learn about Shawnee?

Most outsiders consider Shawnee a modern suburb, but we actually have a deep and rich history. We were a city before Kansas was even a state.

Because Shawnee is your first vacation destination, what would be your second?

Probably Chicago, kind of like a big-sister version of Kansas City. sm

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For the

family

pumpkins

story by

Kim Antisdel

F

all is the perfect time of year for decorating pumpkins with friends and family. Shawnee plays host to some free festivals and contests that guarantee to keep your family in pumpkin heaven until the first snowflake falls.

The Big Bad Pumpkin Derby

On October 23, hundreds of spectators from all over the Kansas City area will spend a fun-filled day in Shawnee Mission Park for the third annual Big Bad Pumpkin Derby. Competitors of all ages and skill levels design and craft a pumpkin car to compete in the double-elimination derby. Awards are given in six design categories.

Creativity is key for this competition. Barring a few basic rules, the sky is the limit for the entries.

The great

pumpkin escapade

Kim Chappelow-Lee, children’s services manager for Johnson County Parks and Recreation District, has overseen the event since it began in 2007 and is continually impressed by what people dream up.

“All pumpkins are outfitted with a dual axle that runs through the pumpkin,” Chappelow-Lee says. “The real challenge is in constructing a car that can run straight down a track. People put a lot of energy into that and how to make them faster.”

Some participants are up for the challenge of making a pumpkin into something truly original.

“People really come out for the creative aspect,” Chappelow-Lee says. “We’ve seen pumpkins painted totally chrome with a push broom attached to look like a Spartan. We’ve seen pumpkins transform into every kind of animal, from a fish to a bat.”

Though the race is a large part of the day, the event also serves as a fun experience for families.

“It’s really an opportunity for the individual to spend some quality time with their child,” Chappelow-Lee says. “The snapshots in my head are of a dad and his child releasing their pumpkin from the ramp for the first race. And hopefully it goes all the way down the course.”

sHawneemagazine

Find your pumpkin-themed event this fall

42

Participants in the Johnson County Parks and Recreation District’s annual Big Bad Pumpkin Derby prepare to send their four-wheeled speed demon down the chute. (Photo courtesy of Johnson County Parks and Recreation District)

For the

family

Pumpkin Palooza For the fourth year in a row, the Sunflower House, a child advocacy center, has brought Pumpkin Palooza to Shawnee. This colorful, activity-filled event boasts a decorated pumpkin sale, bake sale, Disney-themed haunted house and bouncy houses.

“Sunflower House educates parents, children and professionals who work with children about abuse so children will recognize, resist and report abuse,” says Michelle Herman, president and CEO.

Theresa Vandenboon, volunteer and outreach coordinator at Sunflower House, has been helping with this remarkable event for two years. Local farmers donate a few hundred pumpkins to Sunflower House, and the decoration is up to volunteers.

“We recruit local artists and crafters to paint and decorate the donated pumpkins to be sold at the event,” Vandenboon says. “They use everything to decorate pumpkins, including ribbons, paint, even decoupage.”

This year’s event runs from 8 a.m. until the pumpkins sell out on October 23.

The decorated pumpkins will be displayed and labeled individually for sale in the west parking lot of Sunflower House. Vandenboon encourages anyone who has a flair for art and creativity to volunteer their skills in embellishing a pumpkin. In years past, music, television and especially popular movies have inspired some of the best designs.

“Hallmark did the face of Elvis singing one year and a pumpkin covered in feathers that looked like a chicken,” Vandenboon says. “I imagine we’ll even see some Twilight pumpkins this year.”

Big Bad Pumpkin Derby

10 a.m. Saturday, October 23

Theatre in the Park parking lot Shawnee Mission Park 7710 Renner Road

Scarecrow Festival

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, October 2

Shawnee City Hall 11110 Johnson Drive

Pumpkin Palooza

8 a.m. Saturday, October 23

Sunflower House 15440 W. 65th St.

Scarecrow Festival

ABOVE The Big Bad Pumpkin Derby offers

families a chance to create colorful gourds on wheels. (Photo courtesy of Johnson County Parks and Recreation District) LEFT Sunflower House’s Pumpkin Palooza is an event for the creative. Families and children can decorate a pumpkin and later bid on works of art donated to the event. (Photo courtesy of Sunflower House)

sHawneemagazine

Head to downtown Shawnee this fall and you might wonder if you’ve landed in The Wizard of Oz. It’s actually the annual Scarecrow Festival featuring scarecrows created by local businesses.

Julie Hurley, neighborhood planner for the City of Shawnee, predicts that this year’s celebration—the sixth—will be the best yet. “The Scarecrow Festival is a great way to get people downtown and show them what downtown can offer.

We’ve had close to 500 people come in years past,” she says.

To participate, merchants in Shawnee create a unique scarecrow that represents their business. Entries are viewed and judged by city employees prior to the festival. On October 2 the scarecrows will be on display along Johnson Drive in front of City Hall; spectators can check out the entries and participate in the day’s activities.

“Kids can paint pumpkins or create their own scarecrows in our parking lot,” Hurley says. “We actually go through about 200 scarecrows each year and almost 400 pumpkins.”

To enable children the opportunity to build scarecrows, businesses donate clothes and bales of hay. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and fruit pie baking contests are open to anyone. But the biggest draw for this event is still the pumpkins. “The kids’ pumpkin-painting station is always busy,” Hurley says. “That area is full for the entire day.” sm

43

Get

away prince william county

story by

Gloria Gale

Photography courtesy

Prince William County/Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau

Democracy Northern Virginia holds memories of bygone days and mementoes of four centuries of American history

It’s hard to

unparalleled history. Prince William County tells the story of how and where America began.

that Virginia’s Prince William County, now pastoral and serene, was once the site of so much pomp and tumultuous circumstance.

Along the rolling hills following the Old Carolina Road lie historic landscapes that offer a journey back in time—all the way to the 17th century. History unfolds in a swath of land cutting right through the county, which historians and preservationist have titled “The Journey Through Hallowed Ground.”

“The entire county offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic American history, satisfying even the most discriminating history buff,” says Ann Marie Maher, executive director of the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Battlefields, presidential homes, national parks and Main Street communities highlight three centuries of poignant events and celebrate the region’s

Day 1 – Fired up for the blue and gray

imagine

sHawneemagazine

Cradle of

44

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Much of our nation’s past is preserved in Prince William County.

Three of every five Civil War battles were fought in Virginia, more than any other state.

Battles can be researched at 25 sites, including

the new Prince William Civil War Heritage Trail that commemorates the upcoming Civil War sesquicentennial.

An important destination for history buffs is the Manassas National Battlefield Park site (5,000 preserved acres), home of the First Battle of Manassas, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run (1861), and the Second Battle of Manassas, fought a year later.

Begin your journey at the park’s Henry Hill Visitor Center and watch a stirring film,

Get

away Buckland Farm

the l863 battle where A.P. Hill’s Confederate corps were ambushed by the Union army.

Then tour Brentsville Courthouse Historic Center.

Three centuries of Northern Virginia’s history can be seen in the restored courthouse, Union Church, jail and Haislip/ Hall farmhouse.

Finish your day in the historic mill town of Occoquan (circa 1804). This thriving tourist town along the Occoquan River boasts art galleries, boutiques, craft festivals and fine dining. The Occoquan Inn, complete with a resident ghost, serves as a particularly cozy setting for dinner.

Day 3 – Bravo

Manassas: The End of Innocence. Afterward walk the hallowed grounds on your own or with a docent to explore key sites surrounding two of the most famous battles of the Civil War.

Catch a glimpse of yesteryear with a stroll through modern-day Manassas. This Victorian-era town with a new attitude holds turn-of-the-century buildings and historical markers to guide you.

After a lunch downtown, visit Manassas Museum that documents Northern Virginia’s history with artifacts, images and videos.

Day 2 – Hallowed grounds

Manassas National Battlefield Park – www.nps.gov/mana Manassas Museum – www.visitmanassas.org Buckland Farm – www.bucklandva.org Bristoe Station Battlefield and Brentsville Courthouse Historic

Center – www.visitpwc.com

Occoquan – www.occoquan.com National Museum of the Marine Corps – www.usmcmuseum.org The Winery at La Grange – www.wineryatlagrange.com Hylton Performing Arts Center – www.hyltoncenter.org

sHawneemagazine

Early morning is an ideal time for a walk in Leesylvania State Park. This 542-acre lush peninsula, jutting into the Potomac River, is home to a variety of wildlife.

A hike here can easily feel like a walk into history.

Henry Lee III, father of Robert E. Lee, owned most of the land at one time. During the Civil War, the Confederate army bombarded Union ships bound for Washington, D.C., within the park’s Freestone Point.

A midmorning visit to Buckland Farm reveals a vibrant example of an 18th century English village. The town plan of 48 lots remains largely intact with 21 existing buildings still visible, including the grist mill, post office, church, distillery, slave quarters and portions of the turnpike.

Less than 15 miles south, spend the afternoon discovering two more significant historical attractions designated along the Hallowed Ground pathway.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park is the youngest battlefield park in Virginia. Along the 1.3-mile selfguided walking trail, find interpretive signs explaining

Start your day with a trip to Quantico, home of the Marine Corps base and the soaring architecture of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. A guided tour immerses visitors through interactive and interpretive exhibits stretching from the Revolutionary War to presentday conflicts. Lunch in Tun Tavern, the museum’s re-creation of an 18th century pub, is worth a taste.

Stop by The Winery at La Grange in Haymarket.

Prince William County’s only established winery salutes the 17th century historic area’s newly planted 5,500 vines of Cabernet Sauvignon. Tour the refurbished red brick manor house and sample some of the vineyard’s inventory.

End your journey with a performance at the new Hylton Performing Arts Center, an 85,000-square-foot landmark venue on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus. This gleaming copper, glass and masonry facility provides a home for outstanding performances by local, national and international artists.

Preeminent American historian C. Vann Woodward astutely sums up this region.

“This part of the country has soaked up more of the blood, sweat and tears of American history than any other part of the country,” he says. “It has bred more founding fathers, inspired more soaring hopes and ideals and witnessed more triumphs, failures, victories and lost causes than any other place in the country.” sm

45

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September 18

Friends of Shawnee Town Craft Fair. Find

the perfect holiday gift at Shawnee Town’s 35th Annual Craft Fair. $1 admission at gate with all proceeds benefiting the Shawnee Town Museum. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

(913) 248-2360. www.shawneetown.org

September 24-25 Shawnee Great Grillers Blues & Barbeque.

Ninety-six teams of barbecuing experts come together to compete in the 16th annual event.

Sample some of the best barbecue in the Midwest while enjoying music and games. Participate in the People’s Choice for $5 and vote on your favorite barbecue brisket. Events start at 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.

Saturday. www.shawneegreatgrillers. com

22335 W. 66th Street, Shawnee, KS 66226

22334 W. 66th Street Shawnee, KS 66226

October 1

Oktoberfest. Bring

the whole family to Shawnee’s Oktoberfest.

The event will include games for the children, German food and beverages, all geared to heighten the festival atmosphere. All events are open to the public, with free admission.

5:30 - 11:00 p.m.

Shawnee Town.

(913) 248-2360

October 2

Scarecrow Festival.

The Shawnee Downtown Partnership presents the sixth annual Scarecrow Festival. Downtown merchants will create and display scarecrows along Johnson Drive and in front of City Hall. Kids can paint their own pumpkins and participate in other fun activities. Enter the baking contest for a chance to win prizes.

Activities start at 9 a.m.

(913) 742-6228.

BEST BETS

October 30

Historical Hauntings.

Bring the family to Shawnee Town for an evening of hayrides, trick-or-treating, costume contests, candy and more. Canned food donations to benefit Harvesters Community Food Network will be accepted at the gate.

6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

(913) 248-2360. www.shawneetown.org

October 6

The La La’s! Come and enjoy the interactive music of The La La’s!

Children’s music with a positive message at the Johnson County Museum. Space is limited and advance registration is required. $3 per child, $2 per child for members. 10-11 a.m.

(913) 715-2575. www.jocomuseum.org

November 11

Shawnee Salutes Our Veterans. Honor our

nation’s veterans at Veterans Memorial Park, Johnson Drive and Pflumm Road. 4 p.m.

October 16

NeighborWood.

Learn about tree care, composting, backyard habitats and rain barrels at NeighborWood, presented by the Shawnee Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. 9 a.m.-noon, Listowel Park, 71st Street and Quivira Road. Call (913) 6315200 to register.

November 13

Pilgrim Pacer 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.

Fun for individuals and families, this race offers three routes on paved trails and roads near Shawnee Mission Park. Entry fees benefit Harvesters Community Food Network. (816) 810-0440. http://www. psychowyco.com/ actionevents/id24.html

October 22

Wonderful Night Out.

Support Wonderscope by attending its annual fundraising event and enjoy food, music and city views at Terrace on Grand in Kansas City, Missouri. Local artists are being commissioned to take salvaged chandeliers and transform them into pieces of art to be auctioned at the event.

6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

(913) 287-8888. http:// wno.wonderscope.org

November 27

A Very Fifties Christmas. Bring the

family to the Johnson County Museum, 6305 Lackman Road, for A Very Fifties Christmas from late November through the first week of January. Guided tours every 30 minutes. $2 for adults, $1 for children.

(913) 715-2550. www.jocomuseum.org

November 27

October 23

Holiday Treasures Craft Festival. The

Shawnee Civic Centre will overflow with more than 75 vendors showcasing crafts, gifts and food at the 11th Annual Holiday Treasures Craft Festival.

Free admission. Event begins at 9 a.m., 13817 Johnson Drive.

(913) 631-5200.

All events are subject to change.

Christmas at Lanesfield. Experience

a 1904 Christmas in the restored one-room Lanesfield School, 18745 Dillie Road.

Join the festivities and make your own ornament. Open from late November to early January. Free admission.

(913) 893-6645. www.jocomuseum.org

E-mail your upcoming events for the calendar to shawneemagazine@sunflowerpub.com

Downtown

Bonner SpringS

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600 East Front St. Bonner Springs, Kansas Just West of K-7 Highway on K-32 Highway

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224 Oak Street • Bonner Springs • 441-4161

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Home of Kansas City Renaissance Festival ~ Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone ~ National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame Sunflower Hills Golf Course ~ Wyandotte County Museum ~ The Great American Barbecue Festival

The first Nationally Accredited Breast Center in Kansas City

More than 200,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast disease each year.

Annual screenings save lives. hawnee Mission Medical Center is now accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

This accomplishment means: •

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To learn more about the Breast Center at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, visit ShawneeMission.org.

We offer two convenient locations for mammography:

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23401 Prairie Star Parkway Lenexa, KS 66227

Walk-ins welcome or to schedule an appointment, call 913-676-2220.