Issuu

Leawood LeawoodLifestyle.com

APRIL 2018

â„¢

WELCOME,

Spring

Center for Eye Care Excellence

MILTON B. GRIN, MD

BARBARA D. WOLOCK, MD

Family Eye Care | Emergency Eye Care Advanced Cataract Surgery | LASIK Corneal Cross Linking | Contact Lenses | Optical Shop

T W O FORMER P ED IAT RIC EYE CA RE D O CTORS J OIN GRIN EYE CA RE.

JEFF WONGS, MD

CRAIG PLACE, MD

Dr. Jamie McGowan and Dr. Breanne Niebuhr, formerly with Pediatric Eye Care in Leawood, have accepted positions with Grin Eye Care. Dr. Jamie McGowan came to Grin Eye Care in 2017 and sees children of all ages and adults in our Leawood Office.

JENNIFER JOHNSON, OD

LORI BERWALD, OD

Dr. Breanne Niebuhr has worked with Grin Eye Care for several years part-time and with Pediatric Eye Care, but she has made the move to Grin Eye Care full-time in 2018. Dr. Niebuhr sees patients in our Olathe and Leawood offices.

Three locations to serve you better:

OLAT H E - 21020 W. 151ST STR E E T (Evening & Saturday Hours Available)

JEFFRY GERSON, OD

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LEA WOOD - 13400 B R IA R STR E E T, STE C (Early Morning & Evening Hours Available)

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To schedule an appointment with any of our doctors, JAMIE MCGOWAN, OD

BREANNE NIEBUHR, OD

FR EE LASIK CONSULTATION AT ANY O F OU R LOCATION S when you mention this ad

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

APRIL 2018 PUBLISHER

Matthew Perry | Matthew@LifestylePubs.com EDITOR

Angela Broockerd | Angela.Broockerd@LifestylePubs.com PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

Paul Versluis | Paul.Versluis@LifestylePubs.com ACCOUNT MANAGER

Letter from the Editor SPRING IS HERE, AND I AM MORE THAN READY TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS. I openly embrace the upcoming season of shuffling kids to

Frank Flores | Frank.Flores@LifestylePubs.com Emily Thibault | Emily.Thibault@LifestylePubs.com John Naegele | John.Naegele@LifestylePubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Kathryn Leo, Adriane Taylor

soccer, baseball and track which lends itself to spending a great deal of time out-

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

side in the fresh air. Aside from the early morning spring soccer games that can be

Travis Carroll, Janie Jones, Paul Versluis

painfully cold at times, I love the start of our spring activities. Our family loves to camp, hike, bike, fish and explore, so finding pockets of time to be able to do that is always a priority for us. There are so many diverse spots around Lee's Summit to hike, camp or spend time on the water, each with their perks. We have narrowed down our list of favorite spots and trails to visit and explore, but it is always fun to try something new and keeps it interesting. For our April issue, we wanted to share with you some of the ways our neighbors are getting out and enjoying the outdoors. We included a little bit of everything from camping to volunteering to beekeeping to gardening to being eco-friendly. We

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF SALES OFFICER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR OPERATIONS DIRECTOR EDITORIAL MANAGER EDITORIAL AD MANAGER AD COORDINATORS

would love to hear about your favorite spots to explore and enjoy nature, volunteer or your local favorite eco-friendly projects, so drop me an email or share with it us on Facebook or Instagram so we can share it with the community. Here’s to a beautiful spring!

LAYOUT DESIGNERS

PUBLISHER SUPPORT EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTANT APPLICATION ARCHITECT WEB DEVELOPERS

Steven Schowengerdt Matthew Perry DeLand Shore Brad Broockerd Sara Minor Janeane Thompson Nicolette Martin Victoria Perry Lindsey Howard Chad Jensen Cyndi Harrington Alicia Huff Adella Wrisinger Jessica Soetaert Cyndi King Dana Rudolph Emily Stout Hailey Stepanek Melanie Carlisle Randa Makeen Michael O’Connell Scott Lavigne

Angela Broockerd, Editor Angela.Broockerd@LifestylePubs.com

LeawoodLifestyle.com

514 W 26th St., Kansas City, MO Proverbs 3:5-6

ON THE COVER Leawood family camping trip PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRAVIS CARROLL 8

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

Leawood Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Leawood areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Leawood Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE APRIL 2018

FEATURES 20 Leawood Garden Club Bringing Natural Beauty to Leawood

24 Pink Bee Lady Leawood Beekeeper Shares Her Journey of Expanding Hives

30 Let the Adventure Begin Leawood Family Exploring the Outdoors

24 30

36 Scraps KC Repurposing the Community

DEPARTMENTS 8

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Culinary Creations

20 Water & Woods 36 Giving Back 41

Locally Owned

45 Realty Report 46 Lifestyle Calendar 50 Parting Thoughts

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GOOD TIMES 1.

Leawood's Lunar New Year Celebration

A celebratory evening was held on February 18 at Ironhorse Golf Club to usher in the 2018 Lunar Year of the Dog. Hosted by Mayor Peggy Dunn, the Leawood City Council and the I-Lan Sister City Committee, the event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the sisterhood of Leawood and I-Lan, Taiwan.

1. Christine Lau, Vivian Swafford, Dr. YuPing Hsu and Jeremy Ko | 2. Mary and Larry Leonard, Jo Anne and Ron Ward, and Laura Caulfield | 3. Jim and Dolly Powers, Nativity Church Pastor Fr. Francis Hund, Jean Asbury and I-Lan Sister City Committee Chair Bette Monson | 4. Gail and Len Williams, Debbie and Leawood City Councilman James Azeltine | 5. Sandy Bartow, Andrew and Leawood City Councilwoman Debra Filla and Whehan Sun | 6. Kay and Leawood City Councilman Chuck Sipple | 7. I-Lan Sister City Committee member Jim Rochel, Peg Armstrong, Mazie Long and Mayor Peggy Dunn | 8. Cole and Sarah Wheeler, and Kara and Richard Hu | 9. Mayor Peggy Dunn participates in the opening ceremony’s traditional Lion Dance.

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Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

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YOU SEE THE DEFENSE CLOSING IN. WE SEE GROWTH PLATES THAT ARE OPEN.

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NIALL OPENS LEAWOOD STORE Kansas City-based luxury watchmaker Niall relocated their flagship retail store from the Country Club Plaza to Park Place in Leawood in January. While The Plaza was the right place for Niall to start, it wasn’t necessarily the right place for Niall to grow. About 80 percent of Niall's customers reside in Leawood, so the Park Place space adds convenience and is roomy enough to host events and allow the watches to shine.

$100 OFF WHITENING SPECIAL

The company’s motto and culture are all about “honoring those who are all in.” Founder and CEO Michael Wilson may be focused on luxury, but he is anything but arrogant. “We have taken on the challenge of manufacturing luxury watches in America, which is an incredibly difficult thing to do," he said. "we are dedicated to maintaining our status as the No. 1 watchmaker in America, according to The Good Trade. We love nothing more than when dedicated men and women celebrate milestones by purchasing a Niall watch because of what we stand for.” The company is looking forward to an exciting and prosperous 2018 and a long-term relationship with the city of Leawood.

THYME FOR KIDS PLANT SALE Support Cornerstones of Care by attending its annual Thyme for Kids plant sale! Visit Cornerstones of Care Ozanam Campus, 421 E. 137th St., Kansas City, MO 64145, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27 and 28. This sale is free to attend and open to the public, and purchases support Cornerstones of Care's horticultural therapy program, giv-

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Horticultural therapy is one of many programs that Cornerstones of Care offers in its mission to partner for safe and healthy communities.

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

11th Annual

Run for the Roses American Pharoah painting by Dino by Design

Kentucky Derby Gala A Benefit for The Mission Project

Grand Street Ballroom on the Plaza

May 5, 2018 • 2:30 p.m.

Cheer in style at the best Kentucky Derby event in Kansas City. You and your guests will enjoy first-class food and libations while “betting” on the race and participating in our exciting new raffle. Strut your stuff, and you just might win an award for Best Hat or Best Dressed. We hope you will host a table, invite your friends and colleagues, and join us in the fun!

Former Mission Mayor Steve Schowengerdt (right) and his wife Mary, will be our honorary chairs for our 2018 Run for the Roses Derby Gala.

The Mission Project enables capable adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and safely in community with individualized support.

To register, visit www.derbygala.org SponSorShipS available

CULINARY CREATIONS

VEGAN SPRING STREET TACOS SPRING'S BOUNTY BECOMES A FIESTA

ARTICLE RACHEL MURPHY | PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL SCHNEIDER

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

SHANE WILSON CAME TO BE A VEGAN SLOWLY—HE STARTED BY CUTTING MEAT OCCASIONALLY FROM HIS DIET, THEN TRANSITIONED INTO FULL-TIME VEGETARIANISM. Then he met his wife, Tara, a vegan with a knack for baking. Now, this vegan household finds tasty ways to eschew animal byproducts while celebrating the best of the season, as he does with these spring vegetable street tacos. They combine the spices you expect from Mexican food—cumin, cilantro—with a touch of sweetness from a pear salsa and a big crunch from mixed cabbage slaw. Heaped into griddled corn tortillas, they are a snap to throw together on a weekend with a little planning.

THE 'MEAT '—ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS + 15-20 buds Brussels sprouts + 1 tablespoon salt + 1 teaspoon pepper + 1 teaspoon cumin + 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 | Preheat oven to high broil. Cut buds into ¼ inch slices. Place into bowl, add ingredients and toss. 2 | Lay on parchment paper on baking sheet. Broil until browned; turn over each piece, broil again.

THE BASE—CABBAGE SLAW + 2 cups chopped green cabbage + 1 cup chopped red cabbage + 2 tablespoons olive oil + 1 tablespoon pepper + 1 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon cumin 1 | Mix ingredients.

THE KICK—PEAR SALSA

+ 2 medium pears, diced small + ¼ cup red onion, minced + 1 jalapeno, minced + 2 tablespoons lime juice + ¼ teaspoon pepper + ½ teaspoon salt + ¼ cup chopped cilantro

1 | Mix all ingredients. Mix and set aside in refrigerator a day in advance for better flavor.

THE SQUIGGLE—CHIPOTLE MAYO + 1 cup vegan mayo

+ 1-2 cloves minced garlic

TACO DIRECTIONS

+ 2 tablespoons chipotle paste or ground chipotle

1 | Assemble in lightly grilled corn tortillas with slaw,

+ ½ teaspoon salt

mayo and salsa, and serve along with black beans and cilantro rice.

1 | Mix all ingredients.

2 | Garnish with fresh avocado and cilantro. April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

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Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

CELEBRATE

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WATER & WOODS

LEAWOOD

GARDEN

CLUB Q&A WITH DIANNE SWANN

PHOTOGRAPHY LEAWOOD GARDEN CLUB

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

WHAT IS THE LEAWOOD GARDEN CLUB? The mission of the Leawood Garden Club is to beautify our homes, gardens and surroundings; exchange ideas in gardening; stimulate and encourage the love of gardening; and encourage civic beautification. We are a fun-loving group, and the club is a wonderful place to learn about gardening with our excellent garden program speakers and our Horticultural Hints. In addition, we have the Show of the Month that covers many eclectic topics. HOW DID THE LEAWOOD GARDEN CLUB GET STARTED? The club will be 70 years old this July. We were founded in 1948 by eight charter members and have now grown to nearly 100 members. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PHILANTHROPIC ASPECTS OF THE CLUB. IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY? Each year we hold several events to fund our projects of monetary gifts to garden-related organizations. We have our Shopper's Delights sales table at all our meetings except the May garden tour and December holiday luncheon. Our sales table generates many interesting and fun items that are donated by members including a wide variety of plants, plant-related items and miscellaneous goodies. We also have two bake sales each year. Our largest fundraiser is our annual silent auction that again includes member-donated items in addition to a wide selection of merchant donations of gift certificates and items.

CONTINUED >

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

WATER & WOODS

(CON TI N U ED)

HOW CAN SOMEONE BECOME A MEMBER? To become a member, call Dianne Swann at 913.341.7555. Annual dues are $20, and you do not need to live in Leawood to be a member. We usually meet the third Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Cure of Ars Catholic Church, with the exception of July and August. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CLUB? To add even more interest to our organization, we have two special interest groups of the club. One is ETC that tours not only gardens but also museums, historical sites and who know's what, followed by lunch at a restaurant. Then we have the Who Dun It book club, a somewhat informal group that also likes to have a good time by reviewing mystery books that is often followed by a potluck. These two special groups are a grand way to get to know members even better. For additional information about the club, go to our website at Leawood.org/LeawoodGardenClub . We are also on Facebook, FB.me/LeawoodGardenClub.

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

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April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

ARTICLE KATHRYN LEO

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Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

LEAWOOD BEEKEEPER'S RAW, UNFILTERED LOCAL HONEY

IF YOU EVER STOP TO WONDER WHERE THE FOOD YOU EAT COMES FROM, IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU THAT A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION IS PROVIDED BY BEES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. Unfortunately, honeybees are disappearing in record numbers, but people like Kristin Simeroth, of Leawood, are avid beekeepers, and their efforts help save these pollinators. Kristin has not always been a beekeeper. Several years ago, Kristin and her husband purchased some acreage 40 miles from Leawood because they wanted a place for their three boys to be able to go and experience the country. She had wanted bees for quite some time, and finally, in 2014, she took the plunge, ordered two hives and bravely jumped in. That first winter was harsh, and she lost both hives. She decided to try again and bought three packages of bees from a local supplier. This time, she achieved success. Since then, she expanded to four hives at her farm, and then she moved a hive to a friend’s house in Stillwell. Currently, she has five hives in Stillwell, four at her farm and would like to grow her business to 20 hives. Kristin says that bees need to have blooming plants and water. At her farm, she has a stream and a small pond to take care of their water needs. Both properties are filled with gardens and orchards, so the bees have plenty of plants to pollinate. In return, the gardens are generating record amounts of produce. She also planted huge patches of pollinator plants near the hives where beautiful flowers of all types grow, providing a bee utopia. According to Kristin, beekeeping is very hot work and requires a lot of observation and intuition to ensure the bees are not diseased or the hive is failing. In the hot summer weather, she has to wear a thick bee suit with a hat and netting when she uses the smoker to distract the bees while she inspects the hive. During the inspection, she opens the hive and looks for eggs, larvae or capped brood—where the babies incubate. This inspection tells her the queen is alive and doing her job. Finally, she checks to ensure that the bees are building up their winter supply of honey and pollen so they can survive. Kristin enjoys honey harvesting but says it is very important not to take too much or the hive will not have enough honey to survive the winter and will starve. Kristin has been so successful with her bees that she sells her own brand of organic honey, Pink Bee Lady. She sells raw, unfiltered local honey, and, this summer, she plans on making lavender-infused honey in addition to her pure bottled honey which is straight from the comb to the jar. She says local honey is wonderful for allergies and has noticed her seasonal allergies have been better since she started eating it. She sells honey via Facebook, email or at Full Bloom Boutique in Martin City. For anyone wanting to take up beekeeping, Kristin recommends classes at Johnson County Community College, which offers a beekeeping series. Beekeeping for Dummies, Beekeepers Bible and Bee Culture Magazine are helpful too. Kristin is always happy to share her love of beekeeping with anyone that has questions or want to observe her working with the hives. Contact her through email, ksimeroth@gmail.com, and you can find her on Facebook, Facebook.com/PinkBeeLady.

CONTINUED >

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

PINK BEE LADY

(CON TI N U ED)

Photo by Paul Versluis

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

Photo Paul Versluis

NUT AND HONEY COCONUT GRANOLA INGREDIENTS + 3 cups rolled oats + 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes + 1 cup almonds + 1 cup pecans + 1/4 cup craisins + 3 tablespoons sugar + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, optional + 1/4 cup extra-virgin coconut oil + 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons honey + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract INSTRUCTIONS 1 | Preheat oven to 340 degrees. 2 | Mix the oats, coconut, cinnamon, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and nuts together in a large bowl. 3 | In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the coconut oil, honey and vanilla extract. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well. 4 | Spread the mixture evenly onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring a bit near the halfway point. Be sure to watch it carefully as it browns quickly. 5 | Add the craisins to the baking sheet in the last few minutes of cooking, so they don't get hard. 6 | Once the granola is visibly browned, remove from the oven and scoop into a bowl to let it cool. Recipe from MinimalistBaker.com April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

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LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN:

ARTICLE WHITNEY DAVIDSON | PHOTOGRAPHY TRAVIS CARROLL

LEAWOOD FAMILY EXPLORING THE OUTDOORS

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

WE DIDN’T SET OUT TO BE CAMPERS. In fact, after a crazy remote Colorado experience, my husband knows sleeping in a tent isn’t an option for our family—mostly me. We enjoy city dwelling and artisan coffee and spend much of our weekends watching our kids thrive in their activities. Even though we like our comforts, we don’t want them to stand in the way of pursuing adventure. Early in our relationship, we committed to exploring. We traveled the U.S. as well as our favorite place of all time: New Zealand. Then, jobs and houses and lawns and kids and moving and just being plain tired slowed our expeditions. After settling into family life, our longing for adventure rekindled. The appeal for spontaneous quality family time without the need for flight tickets was inescapable. Thus, our latest family addition: a 1968 Avion. It's our current answer to adventure and exploration. It gets us out of the suburbs—back into beauty and nature without having to plan an elaborate trip. We drop screen time and pick up board games. We take early morning nature walks, and the kids' imaginations run wild with sticks, flowers and caterpillars. Exploring a different patch of grass than our front yard renews discovery. Camping also fuels our desire for simplicity. We believe disconnecting from life’s stressors is not only fun, it's also critical. Our lives are filled to the brim with amazing opportunities. Sifting through and aligning them to our family’s vision takes effort— effort that comes in the form of being away from the laundry, work calls and meal planning long enough to behold and pursue the true essence of our kids. There’s quiet refuge in being outside and only having the essentials at our fingertips. Another perk of fumbling over each other for days in 200 square feet of space is relational bonding. Together we spend longer hours playing, reading, sitting by the fire—these moments solidify our family bond. For us, healthy connection means gaining the ability to invest in our kids' hearts. Not only are we required to help each other, but we also find ourselves helping and relating to other campers. On a quick weekend getaway last summer, our daughter made such fast friends with another girl they were calling each other “sis” within hours of meeting. So, in these camping moments, we hope to place small seeds which will lead them to a lifetime of looking beyond themselves.

CONTINUED >

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN

(CON TI N U ED)

We quickly found it’s less about the destination as it is about being together. Our kids are just as happy spending a weekend at Lake Jacomo or Longview as they are heading out of town. So, our summers consist of half-a-dozen mini-retreats and one longer excursion. Last year it was eight days in Colorado. This year, we’re doubling that (a la Clark Griswald) to Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole in Wyoming. (What are we thinking?) As much as we love our local coffee shops, we can’t wait to grind our own beans on a brisk morning before heading out to see Old Faithful.

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CONTINUED >

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April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN

(CON TI N U ED)

LAKE JACOMO HIKING TRAILS

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HOW TO GET THERE

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Jacomo Trail is a 2.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Prairie, Missouri that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

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Just over the state line, but close enough to call home! April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

GIVING BACK

SCRAPS KC:

repurposing the community ARTICLE ADRIANE TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

KANSAS CITY IS A COMMUNITY WITH AN ESSENCE OF GIVING, A POPULACE THAT ACTS WHEN PRESENTED WITH A NEED, AND A SODALITY THAT EMBODIES LIFTING OTHERS UP WHEN THEY ARE DOWN. Pair this with people willing to take a progressive approach in developing creative ways that honor the environment through the reuse of everyday materials, the repurposing of supplies, and the renewal of broken lives and the result would be Scraps KC, an organization that is the embodiment of fortitude and one that has had a profound effect on the community.

"OUR PURPOSE IS RENEWING PEOPLE, THEIR SPIRIT, THEIR HEART AND THEIR BODIES." —BRENDA MOTT, FOUNDER Brenda Mott, a Johnson County resident, is a person who has always appreciated living a waste-free lifestyle. Growing up, Brenda's parents, who survived the Depression, instilled a regime of preserving and reusing everything in efforts to get the most value. She carried this into adulthood becoming a teacher who saved money by shopping for supplies at the Children’s Museum of Kansas City Recycling Center. Within her thrifty nature, she also created a life of service, which is a guiding principle that her family encompassed by serving the homeless. This passion for educating and supporting others led her on a journey that would combine these wishes in a meaningful way that serves the community. Brenda wanted to create a place that not only inspires creativity but also provides a safe space where others could seek refuge. In September 2016 the right time had arrived, and Scraps KC was born. What exactly is Scraps KC? The short answer would be that it is a place reminiscent of a quirky warehouse teeming with donated art and office supplies. A place where an educator with big ideas can have their CONTINUED >

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

GIVING BACK

(CON TI N U ED)

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

dreams realized on a budget. A place where a Girl Scout troop can come and create art projects worthy of a gift exchange. But it is so much more than that. It is also a place that celebrates the environment by reducing waste through repurposing items—a place that educates others about the community and the unique needs of the homeless. Above all, it is a place that redefines what it means to give back to others through real-life project-based learning that enriches the lives of both the patrons and the displaced. It is a pay-it-forward playhouse. By hosting low cost “crafternoons” for kids, providing summer art camps for teens, as well as having an expansive resource center where the community can explore office and creative supplies, Scraps KC can teach others about how they can help, but it also helps fund their organization. Through this funding, they can offer food, clothing and a place inside from the sometimes unforgiving elements to people who may feel as if the world has forgotten them. The homeless help keep Scraps KC going by donating their time cleaning, assisting and helping manage the supplies in exchange for a meal, a conversation or a listening ear. "It is a place free of judgment. People come in because they want a warm place and someone to love them," Brenda says. "Our primary mission is to work with them and to lift them up so they can thrive." The Scraps KC experience is a cyclical one that moves through the creative process—to environmental education, to homeless education, to a purpose-driven life. Brenda hopes that by teaching and feeding she can build and keep relationships and that these relationships will extend far beyond the community. She looks in the future and sees a community garden, a playground and even an event space that can be used to host even larger projects. She hopes that many more people will come to 12th Street to learn. How can the public get involved? Currently, Scraps KC receives about 2,000 pounds weekly from community manufacturers, designers, architectural design firms and businesses who are often rebranding or downsizing scrap materials, but there is always room for more. Anyone who has fabric supplies, knitting materials or arts and crafts provisions are welcome to donate. At this time, the greatest need is in used school supplies that can be cleaned and redistributed. This supply drive successfully gifted 101 underserved classrooms in 2017 with more than 12,000 supplies. Brenda hopes to surpass this goal and encourages people to donate as well as volunteer this summer to sort and clean through supplies. This is a great opportunity for area schools to consider as the school year winds down. Visit ScrapsKC.org for more details.

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

first annual L W A R C P U P 8 1 0 2 , 2 2 L I R P SUN A 3 PM

NOON TO

efit the event will benOJ E C T

h os

ted along with

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This is a dog-friendly event, featuring stops at Overland Park's favorite watering holes. Bring your pup or come alone! All registrations include entry to bars. There will be beer at each location (Coco Bolos, Talk of the Town, and Rock & Brews), along with Raffle tickets. Limit of 2 dogs per person. All dogs MUST be on leash during the crawl & must be dog friendly! All dogs MUST be current on all shots to participate in the crawl!

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Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

LOCALLY OWNED

Granite Garage Floors

ARTICLE ALAN GOFORTH | PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL VERSLUIS

ADDING DURABILITY, VALUE TO PART OF THE HOME THAT OFTEN IS OVERLOOKED

NOW THAT THE LONG WINTER FINALLY HAS GIVEN

"Coatings as a whole, used in industrial and commercial applica-

WAY TO SPRING, MANY HOMEOWNERS ARE CLEANING

tions, have gotten a bad rap in residential applications because of a

THEIR HOUSES FROM THE BASEMENT TO THE ATTIC.

lack of attention to detail and quality, and a lack of focus," he says. "By

Greg Slicker reminds them also to pay attention to a part of

that, I mean that providers often were painters or doing something

the home that many people overlook: the garage floor.

else in addition to coatings, which often were an afterthought."

"The garage often accounts for 20 percent of the entire

Greg, who has a background in the construction industry, saw

size of the house," Greg, principal and co-owner of local-

a market opportunity for a company that focused exclusively on

ly-owned Granite Garage Floors in Prairie Village, says.

superior coatings and exceptional customer service. He started

"Other than the roof, the garage is the area that gets the most

Granite Garage Floors nearly a decade ago and now has seven

abuse over the life of the home. It also is the entryway to the

full-time employees who work throughout the metropolitan area.

home and is visible from both the inside and the outside."

"Floors take a lot of abuse from vehicular traffic, heat and

The challenge is not so much cleaning the floor as

stress, and most people would expect the coating to peel," he

keeping it clean from salt, sand and other debris. Granite

says. "We took the industrial process and found a niche with

Garage Floors offers a solution that protects the home

residential locations. Our goal is to apply a product that will

while adding aesthetic appeal. Greg and his team apply a

last for the lifetime of the home."

cutting-edge sealant that actually integrates into the concrete surface for years of protection. Greg admits he questioned the value of sealants before he started doing his homework on newer products and methods.

A coating from Granite Garage Floors is not simply a BandAid to mask problems, Greg says. The first thing the crew does on older homes is assess the quality of the floor and make any needed repairs before applying the sealant.

CONTINUED >

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

LOCALLY OWNED

(CON TI N U ED)

After

"We don't need a perfect garage slab on which to apply coatings,"

must live up to his high standards before he will recommend them

he says. "We often work on pretty significantly deteriorated sub-

to his customers. He recently had Granite Garage Floors treat the

strate situations. One thing we have done well and are proficient at

floor in his own garage.

in older neighborhoods is restoring concrete with permanent epoxy

"I’d heard good things about the company," Austin says. "They

patches before any type of coating is applied. This saves the owner

have a very reputable product that is warrantied as long as you're

time and expense of having to come back and repair the floor. In fact,

in your home. It’s not your standard self-application, with a few

the floor has more integrity than it did even when it was first poured."

sprinkles that most people apply, only to be dissatisfied after a few

Greg believes reliable service is just as important as a quality

years of wear. This product and application are far superior to any

product in his business.

residential-purchased product and looks fantastic.

"We like to tout that we show up on time, do what we say we will

"They performed exactly as promised, and the staff was on time

do and never exceed an estimate with our final invoice," he says. "We

and friendly. They are a very professional operation from sale to

are invisible to our customers. We show up on time but don't go into

completion. I highly recommend them."

their home or even use their electricity."

Spring cleaning is as much as sign of the season as grilling and

Austin Roeser, president of Roeser Homes in Overland Park,

Royals baseball. Paying a little attention to a place that few people

builds houses throughout Johnson County. Service providers

think about can add cleanliness and value for many seasons to come.

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

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April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

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Brynn Burns Photography

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN 44

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

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REALTY REPORT

LEAWOOD

NEIGHBORHOOD

ORIGINAL PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/ORIG

DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

HALLBROOK

$1,850,000

$1,600,000

86%

173

7.2

LEAWOOD

$1,165,000

100%

346

6.1

THE WOODS ESTATES

$1,145,000

$1,135,000

99%

4.2

TUSCANY RESERVE

$1,200,000

$1,100,000

91%

214

4.1

BERKSHIRE

$974,000

$960,000

98%

5.2

BERKSHIRE

$999,999

$848,750

84%

248

4.2

LEAWOOD COUNTRY MANOR

$799,500

$769,500

96%

4.3

CHERRY CREEK

$795,000

$750,000

94%

4.1

AIMTREE MANOR

$725,000

$600,000

82%

4.1

LEAWOOD

$599,999

$581,000

96%

157

Information compiled is from Heartland Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and includes properties listed and sold in the area from multiple brokers. Statistics from 2/1/2018-2/28/2018. DOM=Days on Market

April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

APRIL

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

20 & 21

THE WHOLE PERSON'S EXPRESSIONS ART EXHIBITION

THE WHITE THEATRE AT THE J

Kansas City Young Audiences

OPEN STAGE -Join us for the second

AN ENCHANTED EVENING: A MUSICAL RETROSPECTIVE

The Whole Person’s Eighth Annual Ex-

annual dance and choreography fes-

This original musical revue com-

pressions Art Exhibition celebrates the

tival at The J. Kansas City's premier

piles favorite songs from the shows

abilities and unique talents of artists

companies and best dancers come

presented over Leawood Stage Com-

with disabilities. Opening night: 6 p.m.

together on the White Theatre's stage

pany's 20 seasons of Broadway mu-

to 10 p.m., Friday, April 6. Music, silent

to showcase their original works.

sicals sung by the outstanding vocal-

The White Theatre

auction, refreshments, interactive art projects and conversations with the artists. Accessibility options: Braille/largeprint event programs, descriptive tours, sign language interpreters, accessible entrances. TheWholePerson.org

7 NATIONAL DANCE WEEK DANCE DAY

Ironwoods Park Amphitheater

Dancers of all ages, disciplines and levels will join together to present a full day of free dance performances for the public. Dancers are celebrating the joy of dance together, from

Burns and McDonnell Auditorium

ists from the past productions. This is

14 HISTORY FOR ALL AGES SERIES: PRESENTATION ON LEAWOOD HISTORY

a fundraiser for Leawood Stage Company. 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 21.

21 RECYCLING EXTRAVAGANZA

Historic Oxford Schoolhouse

Johnson County Community College

Share stories and bring items from

The cities of Leawood, Overland Park

Leawood’s past. 10 a.m.

and Prairie Village are conducting a recycling extravaganza. For more infor-

19 SPRING OPEN HOUSE AND TRUNK SHOW Vanbrock

mation, visit OPKansas.org or contact Jim Twigg, 913.895.6273. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

studios to university programs to pro-

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

fessional companies to independent

Prairie Oak Nature Center

choreographers. Co-sponsored by Vida Dance Company.

7 LEWAOOD ROTARY 5K RUN/WALK

19 15TH ANNUAL PRIVATE CELLAR WINE TASTING AND AUCTION

at Ironwoods Park

This event will feature family-friendly activities with an emphasis on the Four Rs: Reducing, Reusing, Recy-

The Gallery Event Space

cling and Rotting. The Prairie Oak Na-

Guests will sample wines from ev-

ture Center is committed to educating

ery important region all over the

all visitors about our environment and

Tomahawk Creek Parkway

world. Come enjoy gourmet, de-

will continue to be a resource for the

Join your neighbors at the Leawood

lectable bites. Bid on unique wines

citizens of Leawood. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rotary 5K run/walk. This family-friendly

from Kansas City's foremost private

(strollers and dogs welcome) 5K along

collectors in the silent and live auc-

Tomahawk Creek Parkway allows the

tions. Wine packages, wine travel,

Leawood Rotarians to support char-

wine art and more wine? Raise a

ities including Variety KC, Polio Plus

glass and support the Down Syn-

LEAWOOD GARDEN CLUB MEETING

and Johnson County Christmas Bu-

drome Guild. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cure of Ars Catholic Church

reau. Register online or on-site. Starting

The club will meet beginning at 10:30

line is at the AAFP parking lot. 8 a.m.

a.m. At about noon, Tracy Flowers, mas-

LeawoodRotaryRun.com

ter gardener, will present "Kauffman CONTINUED >

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

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April 28 - May 12

kc Jewish Film fest

presents

Saturday, April 28 • 8 pm My Hero Brother Documentary; A Physically and Emotionally-Demanding Journey Leads to Greater Understanding

Sunday, April 29 • 2 pm Fanny’s Journey Drama; An Incredible True Story of Bravery and Solidarity

Sunday, April 29 • 5 pm Sammy Davis Jr: I’ve Gotta Be Me

Documentary; The Trailblazing Legend, a Complex & Multi-Faceted Talent

pre-show: Lonny McFadden

Wednesday, May 2 • 7 pm Shalom Bollywood

Documentary; Featuring kosher papadams, bizarre costumes, religious co-existence, the odd elephant, big screen romance and 12 million cinema tickets a day. Just your standard Jewish-themed documentary, really.

Saturday, May 5 • 8 pm Shelter

Suspense/Drama; Who Should They Trust?

Wednesday, May 9 • 7 pm Riphagen: The Untouchable Wartime Thriller; War Makes Beasts of Men

Memorial Garden." The meeting is open to everyone. Bring a sack lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. For more information, visit Leawood.org/Committees/LGC or send an email to leawoodgardenclub@gmail.com.

27 & 28 CORNERSTONES OF CARE THYME FOR KIDS PLANT SALE Ozanam Campus

Support Cornerstones of Care! Purchases at this annual plant sale support Cornerstones of Care's horticultural therapy program, giving youth the opportunity to spend time in a greenhouse nurturing living plants, gaining work experience and achieving a sense of accomplishment as they watch their plants flourish. Most plants cost $2-$8. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 27 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28.

28 & 29 2018 SPRING CHICK EVENT Downtown Olathe

Shop local this spring at the Third Annual Spring Chick Event. The Spring Chick Event will feature more than

Thursday, May 10 • 7 pm Who’s Gonna Love Me Now

100 local vendors, food truck, and

Documentary: A Man Torn Between His True Identity and His Family’s Acceptance

handmade goods, artisan foods and

pre-show: Heartland’s Men Chorus

Saturday, May 12 • 8 pm The Wedding Plan

more. Celebrate the local arts with local boutiques. Tickets: $5. Nonprofit partner: Make-A-Wish Missouri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 28 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29. ChickEvents.com

Romantic Comedy; 30 Days. 1 Wedding. No Groom.

Tickets $12 • Pass $80 Save 15% with a Pass (Includes all 8 films)

Tickets TheJKC.org/Lifestyle • (913) 327.8054 All films screened at The White Theatre at The J 5801 W. 115th Street • OP, KS 66211 (117th + Nall) 48

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

We are always accepting submissions for events you'd like to see included in our Calendar section. Submissions are accepted via the Contact Us tab at LeawoodLifestyle.com.

APRIL

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

APRIL Dreaming OF YOUR

OWN BUSINESS?

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KCHomes4UTeam@gmail.com KCHomes4U.com April 2018 | Leawood Lifestyle

PARTING THOUGHTS

ELEVATE, LIFESTYLE PUBLICATIONS' MONTHLY Our winner with

KINDNESS CHALLENGE IN THE BLUE VALLEY AND

Frontier Trail principal

OLATHE SCHOOL DISTRICT MIDDLE SCHOOLS IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO SPREAD POSITIVITY AND KINDNESS IN THEIR SCHOOL. Students in both districts are invited on a monthly basis to come up with an idea that spreads positivity. They can create a video showing their project in action. The latest winner in this challenge comes from Frontier Trail Middle School. This student wanted to find a way to include every single student in her building. She created individualized locker signs that she personally made and hung on every single student's locker in the school. The signs she created each had a positive affirming message on it beginning with "You are_______." She came up with more than 200 different positive adjectives that focused on personality rather than appearance. "Everyone likes to have kind words spoken to them and about them," she says about what inspired her. "I wanted to make people feel special and unique because everyone is special and unique in their own great way." "It's ideas and projects like this that make an impact in a building," Frontier Trail Middle School Principal Dr. Rod Smith says. "When students focus on being kind to one another and building each other up so many positive things transpire." One of the things that made it all worth it to the winner was seeing some of the reactions of her fellow classmates. "At first I wasn't sure how students were going to respond," she says. "It was great to see students smile

PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

E L E VAT E WI N N ER

when coming up to their locker to read their sign. "I wasn't sure if my project made a difference at first, but I started to notice that some of the notes that I gave to people were hanging on the inside of their locker. That made me feel good that it meant enough to them to keep it long after they were hung." The project was voted on by the community as the winning project, and as a result, she was awarded $1,000 from Lifestyle Publications and the generous sponsors at Audi Shawnee Mission and Commerce Bank. To find out more about Elevate or to vote on the next round, visit ElevateSchools.com. If you have a middle school student in the Blue Valley or Olathe School District interested in participating and have questions, email Elevate@LifestylePubs.com or contact your building principal. Thank you to our generous sponsors at Audi Shawnee Mission and Commerce Bank.

Leawood Lifestyle | April 2018

STUNNING. STATEMENTS.

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