Leawood, KS October 2023

Letter from the Editor

So many moments happen around a kitchen. It is a gathering place for friends and family to share both food and conversation. It is the place where my family seems to congregate most often. Food was always an important part of every family get-together on both sides of my family when I was growing up. Both sets of grandparents were known for certain signature dishes that became traditions to enjoy at family events.

My grandmother was known for her gourmet cooking and always had a spattering of appetizers available at any time of the day. Everything she made was perfection, and she always had just a little extra something to add to every dish that made it just that much better. Watching her cook was like watching a work of art in progress. With every change of season, I still think of my grandmother and the foods that she prepared during each time of the year. It is amazing how the senses can evoke such strong memories, and the aroma of certain foods take me right back to her kitchen.

My grandfather on my dad’s side was the opposite. My dad’s mom died when she was pretty young, so my grandfather lived alone for many years. He lived right down the street from my family when I was growing up and since he was alone, we spent a lot of time at his house. He didn’t prepare extravagant food, but he did like to bake and cook, and without fail, he always had a fresh cake on his counter ready for guests to enjoy with him. His cake wasn’t anything fancy at all—just a box cake mix with store bought icing, but I often walked down to his house, to share a slice of cake and glass of milk with him at his kitchen table. He would put on a record and we would just sit and listen to music and eat cake. So many of my treasured moments with my grandfather happened around his kitchen table. Still to this day, I think of my grandfather every time I pass by the box cake mixes at the grocery store. It’s interesting that even the simplest things can hold such significance and nostalgia. Sometimes the food is the memory, but often for me, it was the moments while sharing the meal that stuck with me.

Our October is our foodie issue. We wanted to share some of the local food and drink fests coming in October as well as a few of our favorite spots around town to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Cristine Lindholm | cristine.lindholm@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Angela Broockerd | angela.broockerd@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allison Swan, Angela Broockerd, Judy Goppert, D. Leon

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Janie Jones

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

ANGELA BROOCKERD, EDITOR @LEAWOODCITYLIFESTYLE

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A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

IMAGE Studios franchise opens its first KC location in Overland Park

Lily Mantych, owner of IMAGE Studios Overland Park, opened the franchise's first Kansas City market in Overland Park with overwhelming success surpassing other national franchise locations at 100% occupancy. IMAGE Studios is a collective of high end beauty professionals who offer their services within their own private suites. Professionals include hair stylists, barbers, hair stylists, esthe

Liquid Mobile IV Announces Expansion

Liquid Mobile, formerly Liquid Mobile IV, is revolutionizing access to health and wellness by expanding offerings and changing its name to better represent a commitment to providing groundbreaking access to whole-body wellness. The KansasCity based company is launching new services straight to consumers’ doorsteps via mobile nurses, telehealth and clinic, including labs, medical weight loss, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, telehealth hormone therapy and IV hydration.

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PLATE ITALIANO MODERNO

After Rising from Flames, Restaurant Opens Second Location at Park Place

ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

The cream always rises and so does the focaccia at Plate Italiano Moderno. After a few hard knocks and some plot twists along the way, this eatery has risen from literal ashes to serve up a taste of Italy to a receptive clientele at Leawood’s Park Place.

It all began with Christian Joseph, founder & CEO of Plate Restaurant Group and Plate Italiano Moderno. Christian started in the hotel/hospitality industry, with tenures at the Phoenician Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, and with Italian Restaurateur Valter Nassi at Il Sansovino Ristorante in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 2000, Christian segued back to college to study respiratory therapy, working at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“It’s surprising how close the hospitality industry is to healthcare,” he says.

In 2014, Christian conceived the idea for an Italian restaurant called Piatto (“Plate”), founding the company the following year. Then, tragedy hit.

“The first iteration of Plate was a small bistro in Brookside. We sat a mere 48 people but were very busy. We built a period wine cellar in the basement and had just expanded the dining room when we suffered a total loss due to a fire in 2017.”

But they rebuilt. In May 2019, they reopened in a new larger location in Brookside. But in March, they were shut down again due to COVID.

During the pandemic, Christian worked as a respiratory therapist in ICU at St. Luke’s Plaza. “I was honored to do what I could to help,” he says. “I met so many selfless, wonderful people.”

Christian’s firm belief in overcoming adversity to create a success story helped him negotiate a new restaurant site at Park Place that opened in March 2022.

“There’s a certain sense of duty you adopt both in a 5-star resort and in healthcare—I carry that into my business today,” he states. “Hospitality matters. If we lose sight of this, we lose ourselves.”

Today, Plate Restaurants have 115 employees. The Brookside location offers elevated dining, and the Leawood location is more modern chic, “like a night out in Milan,” Christian says.

Glass dividers keep the ambiance airy while still providing smaller, intimate areas. The large bar has two “tastefully positioned” TVs to catch up on your favorite KC sports team. “Our clientele ranges from the casual diner to date night chic. Come casual or dressed up—you’re always welcome.”

The traditional yet modern Italian menu features housemade pastas and freshly prepared entrees and seafood using high-quality ingredients.

“Plate Italiano Moderno is 100% authentic, 100% scratch,” Christian says. “We bake our bread and make our pasta fresh every day.”

Guest favorites include Pappardelle Pasta with braised pork shoulder, housemade meatballs and truffle garlic bread.

“Brunch is also popular,” he adds. “I love the frittata with an espresso, and my fiancée loves the bacon pizza.”

For lunch, the new menu offers fresh salads, Italian sandwiches, and signature pastas. Takeout is also available. (Try the pear bruschetta, paninos, and pizzas from Margherita to Salsiccia.)

The bar features a happy hour and a lengthy wine list of fine Italian wines, draft craft beers and signature cocktails. “Our bartenders created the craft cocktails with standouts being the Italian Old Fashioned, Negroni and Sbagliato.”

Plate can host private events at either location for up to 30 people. The restaurant also just launched a VIP program to provide guests with instant rewards.

“Happy guests are what drives me,” Christian says. “We will always put the guest first and guarantee a 5-star experience.”

Always looking forward, Christian is planning potential locations in Lee’s Summit or north of the river. And later this year, watch for the launch of Plate Pizzeria, a casual pizzeria offering a little slice of Italy to our lucky neighborhood.

For hours and more info, contact platekc.com .

“HAPPY GUESTS ARE WHAT DRIVES ME, WE WILL ALWAYS PUT THE GUEST FIRST AND GUARANTEE A 5-STAR EXPERIENCE.”

A Journey To Wellness

Take a trip down memory lane and flashes of Slim Fast Shakes or Jenny Craig commercials will start to emerge. It’s clear as the years go by, the health and weight management industry continues to evolve. It’s a multifaceted market and the reason there are endless options available is because each body is different. Ultimately, the road to your fitness journey depends on you, the driver.

We talked to three fitness and medical experts to give you a road map of the different

options available to you in the greater Kansas City metro area. There are different concepts you can explore that can help you feel and be confident in your own skin.

For Couture Fitness Coaching, it’s all about making your fitness journey fit within your lifestyle. Allison Sizemore founded the weight management program focusing on developing individualized science-based fitness and nutrition plans for every client.

“What inspired this business is to help women understand that you’re making it more difficult on yourself to be fit and look good than what it needs to be,” said Sizemore. ”So getting them away from everything they’ve heard their entire lives about eating less can be really challenging.”

At Couture Fitness and Coaching, clients engage with a personal fitness coach who will go over dieting history, workout routines, and build an individualized plan focusing on metabolic health while incorporating strength training into routines. Clients keep track of their daily food intake, engage in weekly group coaching calls and work on properly understanding how to best fuel their bodies.

“It can be very different from person to person. Some of our clients have to eat more, and they may have to eat more before their metabolism is in a good place again,” explained Sizemore.  “Some people might be eating enough that they can eat less and go right into a fat loss phase, and some people may be complete beginners to strength training. That’s why we customize both the fitness and the nutrition component to each individual.”

Coaches are with clients every step of the way and have routine conversations with them if they experience bumps or challenges. The purpose is to simply design the lifestyle that leads you to love yourself in your own skin.

“For some women, it’s finding their ‘why’ and a powerful enough ‘why’ is not just that you want to look good in a swimsuit, that might sustain you for a little while, but it’s probably not going to keep you going for years or keep those habits,” said Sizemore. “I think delving into your deeper “why” is probably what most people need to do to really stay motivated.”

Other wellness programs available in Kansas City offer a different approach like Liquid Mobile. The on-demand program brings a variety of wellness services like IV therapy, medical weight loss, hormone therapy, and telehealth services right to your front door. Co-Founder, Christine Ricci, says her business is geared to deliver an affordable array of services that support overall wellness and a healthy lifestyle.

“We can have a nurse at the doorstep of our consumers typically within two hours after services like IV hydration and aesthetics. Clients also have direct access to clinicians typically within an hour’s time frame for things like telehealth and medical weight management,” said Ricci.

For clients aiming to manage their weight, Liquid Mobile offers services such as semaglutide, peptides, nutritional consultations, and lipo-mino. Ricci says some clients need a complex weight management program due to the chemical makeup of their body and metabolic functions.

Aside from working closely with medical providers, clients can also access Chiefs Fit through Liquid Mobile. The state-of-the-art gym facility features strength and conditioning machines, group fitness classes, trainers, and other amenities to further support a client’s journey.

In Leawood, Optimal Health and Wellness helps clients meet their goals by redefining healthcare. The Johnson County practice is the creation of Amanda and Bryan Woodworth and offers clients an extensive clinical and medical experience through a holistic approach.

“We are a primary care practice that offers preventative care services, chronic disease management, as well as hormone and thyroid function

“When it comes to health and wellness, it is important to treat the whole patient.”

optimization, and peptide weight loss treatment,” explained Amanda Woodworth.

“When it comes to health and wellness, it is important to treat the whole patient.  It becomes increasingly difficult to assist in a patient’s weight loss journey if their hormone or thyroid levels are not optimal.  These items are just as important when it comes to treating chronic conditions, such as hypertension or high cholesterol.  A majority of patients struggle even genetically with their inability to lose weight through diet and exercise alone and most have tried every diet and exercise plan out there.  While treating underlying hormone imbalance and insulin resistance becomes the goal, and even though they may see a number lost on the scale, the long term goal in our practice is to get the entire patient feeling their best”.

Medication management is known to help reduce blood glucose and cravings, but patients also have to do their part to maintain results.

In regards to hormone and peptide therapy in weight loss, “You have to maintain an active lifestyle while also maintaining good nutrition, but the medications themselves, through their mechanisms of action, tend to help people eat more appropriate foods.” said Bryan Woodworth. “For example, a lot of people decrease their alcohol consumption, make better food choices, and reduce food cravings.”

The options available are endless because each health journey varies. Once you find your “why” it’ll serve as your compass in finding the right provider or the right team to get you to effectively meet your goals.

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BENEFITING STEPS OF FAITH FOUNDATION

Thundergong! isn’t just your typical night of music and laughs—it’s a powerful event that combines unforgettable performances with a meaningful cause. This unique gathering is a joint effort between passionate individuals and Steps of Faith Foundation, an organization that strives to provide prosthetic limbs to uninsured and underinsured amputees, granting them the mobility they deserve and the possibilities they long for. Through music and laughter, Thundergong! brings people together for one night and makes a real difference in the lives of those in need for a lifetime.

Steps of Faith CEO Billy Brimblecom, Jr. lost his left leg to Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2005. Driven by his desire to keep drumming and maintain an active lifestyle, he rallied his friends and family to raise over $30,000, securing his first prosthetic limb. This experience solidified his empathy for the financial struggles amputees face, which made him dedicate his life to helping others regain mobility and lead fulfilling lives.

THUNDERGONG

Brimblecom envisions a world where every amputee can access mobility, regardless of their financial means. Two million Americans live with limb loss—500 people in the U.S. lose a limb each day, and 185,000 individuals have an amputation each year. The financial burden that accompanies limb loss can be overwhelming—with prosthetic limbs costing anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, amputees without health insurance often face insurmountable challenges in securing the devices they require. Simple everyday tasks that most take for granted become nearly impossible feats without the right prosthetic fit and function. Unfortunately, many amputees lack health insurance, and the coverage provided by insurance companies is frequently inadequate to cover the exorbitant costs of prosthetic care. This is where Steps of Faith Foundation steps in to make a difference, providing limbs to amputees who can’t otherwise afford them.

“With the help of our Steps of Faith donors, we are able to remove the physical limitations that amputees face, empowering them to focus on overcoming new challenges,” says Brimblecom.

Brimblecom met his childhood friend, actor and Kansas City native Jason Sudeikis doing improv shows in high school and have remained good friends ever since. Wanting to raise funds to help those needing prosthetics in a fun way, the idea for Thundergong! was born.

“It’s a rock and roll variety show—it’s a lot of fun and a unique thing that you can’t get anywhere else.”

Thundergong! is a celebration of resilience, unity, and compassion. Approaching its seventh year, the event grows in both impact and reach. Brimblecom plays the drums in a local band called Summer

Breeze with his wife, Allie, and they perform as the house band. The event features a star-studded lineup of performers and comedians—past performers included the Foo Fighters, Counting Crows, Will Forte, Fred Armisen and Wynonna Judd. With each performance, the audience is reminded of the power of music, laughter, and collective action. The event’s success is a testament to the profound impact that individuals can make when they come together for a common purpose. Thanks to the immense generosity of supporters, the event has brought their six-year total to over $2.1 million.

“Thundergong! Is the biggest fundraiser of the year, and it’s one night. We are in the business of helping amputees that can’t afford their prosthetics across the country. We’ve helped over 1,000 people in ten years, so donating is important year-round.”

Besides donating directly to Steps of Faith, you can also support their mission through The Signatry by giving appreciated stock, mutual funds, real estate, vehicles, and other non-cash donations—The Signatry helps to give more while paying less tax without tapping into personal cash flow.

This year’s Thundergong! is set to take place on Saturday, November 11th at the Uptown Theatre. For more information, visit  stepsof faithfoundation.org and thundergong.org .

Hospital-Level Care At Home

NOW AVAILABLE FOR KANSAS RESIDENTS

Saint Luke’s is dedicated to offering the latest innovations and technology to deliver the best care to our community.

Saint Luke’s Hospital In Your Home combines state-ofthe-art virtual monitoring and in-person visits to bring hospital-level care to your home. It’s a potential option for patients with conditions that require hospital-level monitoring, such as congestive heart failure, pneumonia, COPD, and COVID-19.

Hospital In Your Home is available at all Saint Luke’s hospitals in the Kansas City metro.

Learn more saintlukeskc.org/homehospital

DAVE ECKERT’S JOURNEY FROM NEWS TO THE CULINARY SCENE

From newsrooms to kitchens, Dave Eckert’s journey through television news and culinary exploration has been nothing short of remarkable. A distinguished journalist and award-winning TV personality, Eckert’s passion for all things culinary started during his time as a news journalist for KMBC-TV from 1989 to 1994, where he won two regional Emmys.

As he co-anchored the 5:00 news and reported for the 10:00 news, Eckert found a love for the local food and wine scene. His exposure to barbecue, coverage of The American Royal, and encounters with pitmasters and champions ignited a deeper appreciation for culinary craftsmanship. Key figures such as Steve Cole, Charlene Welling, Stephen Molloy, and John Martellaro became pivotal in shaping his culinary trajectory. Doug Frost, George Vessel, Ed “Gomer” Moody, Steve Thomson and others paved the way for an in-depth understanding of the flavors and varietals of wines

In Chicago as an anchor and reporter at WGN-TV, Eckert’s commitment to culinary storytelling reached new heights with “What’s Cookin’ Chicago.” Unlike traditional restaurant reviews, his segment delved into the heart of the Chicago food and wine scene, showing viewers a glimpse into the lives and stories behind the food.

After some serious news burnout, Eckert decided to create his own show called Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert.

“I decided to combine my friendships, contacts, passion, love of food and wine, television training and background to create something that, to my knowledge, had never been done—a food, wine and travel show that took people to the source of the indigenous and delicious the world over,” says Eckert. “Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert was born! Aside from my wife of nearly 40 years and our two children, Conor and Fiona, Culinary Travels is my proudest achievement, with 275 half-hour episodes on six continents produced, directed, written, and hosted by me!

“Locally, I write articles on food and beverages for Kansas City Homes and Style Magazine, which often feature local restaurants, chefs, and cuisine. I also host a monthly dinner at a locally-owned, chef-driven restaurant called Dave’s Dine-Arounds. We keep them very affordable at $40 or $45 dollars, with $5 of each ticket going to a local charity of the restaurant’s choosing. People can learn more about those by visiting Dave’s Dine-Arounds on Facebook.”

Eckert has shaped the way we perceive and engage with cuisine, bringing flavors and cultures from around the world to our screens.

“I love great food, awesome local restaurants, and the amazing people who dedicate their lives to providing the experience they provide. I’m proud to

call many area chefs and restaurateurs my friends, and proud to have come to know and feature others around the country and the world. But, I’m equally pleased to have turned the spotlight on so many other individuals and products that comprise the world’s complex and delicious food and beverage network, including winemakers in California, Oregon, Washington, Chile, Argentina, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand—spirits producers in Kentucky and Scotland, pistachios and raisins from California, Idaho potatoes, mussel and salmon farmers in New Zealand, sake from Japan, street food in Thailand, and on and on!

“I’ve drunk wine made from the same native grapes planted in the same vineyards inside Pompeii once buried by Mount Vesuvius before being researched, replanted, and resurrected by a local winery. I’ve hiked up the side of a mountain in Maui to taste and film a strawberry patch, watched a local grower take a huge bite out of a raw Maui onion and emerge with a huge smile on his face, and had one of the best meals of my life at Mama’s Fish House on Maui—to witness the devastation there breaks my heart.

“I’ve filmed and eaten in the kitchens of world-famous three-star restaurants, fished for salmon with superstar chef, Michael Mina, drunk wine with Robert Mondavi and Michel Chapoutier, and listened to Booker Noe play the jug with a band at a private party at his Kentucky home just a stone’s throw from the Jim Beam distillery. They are all memories I cherish, but no more than the meal of curry crab legs in a floating restaurant in a lagoon in Phuket, the raw mussel I ate like an oyster outside Marlborough, or the first time I tried haggis in the Scottish Highlands.

Eckert’s recent venture, KC Foodie Fest, shows his dedication to celebrating artisanal food and beverage producers. A unique event uniting the metro’s finest culinary creators, the festival promises a dynamic blend of tastings, live music, demonstrations, and immersive experiences.

“KC Foodie Fest is the culmination of a 30-year plus love affair with artisanal food and beverage producers. We are gathering a collection of the finest in the metro all in one location where people can sample and purchase hundreds of locally-made products. It’s not just a shopping or culinary excursion, it’s a full-on party!”

KC Foodie Fest is on October 7th at the ASPIRIA Campus in Overland Park. For more information, visit kcfoodiefest.com

It is time again for the Botanical Brewfest

THIS FALL EVENT OFFERS A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE BOTANICAL GARDENS AND BE ENTERTAINED.

This year is the eighth annual Botanical Brewfest, which began in 2014. This year, it will be held at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Saturday, October 14 from 6 to 9 p.m., with a VIP event happening at 5 p.m. It is a fundraiser for Friends of the Arboretum.

Brit Waye, Community Engagement Manager for the Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, noted that they actually missed a couple years in 2020 and 2022, so are happy to be back.

“The 2021 Brewfest took place on a very hot summer weekend in August, but traditionally the event is held in the fall,” she explained. “With that, we are eager to welcome everyone back this year for a cooler, more beloved fall-fest feel that guests know and love in October! Colorful, fall foliage in the gardens is a cherished and picturesque setting like no other.”

Botanical Brewfest is one of seven key fundraising events for Friends of the Arboretum, a division of The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park. Friends of the Arboretum’s mission and purpose is to preserve, enhance and promote the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Funds for capital improvements, major projects, educational and volunteer programs are made possible by generous donors, membership dues, and special community events such as this.

Botanical Brewfest naturally came to be as a seasonal offering, welcoming folks out to enjoy the gardens, discover and support local breweries and restaurants, celebrate the season with yard games, live music and friendship, all while proceeds support the worthy cause of enhancing the future of the Arboretum.

“We’re looking forward to populating Stous Promenade and the grounds of LongHouse, the magnificent new visitor center, with dozens of vendor tents, live entertainment and yard games. Guests can enjoy over 100 varieties of beer, ciders, hard seltzers and even local Kombucha and non-alcoholic hop-waters from dozens of brewery vendors,” she said. “Vendors are still joining on, and our full list will be updated and found at our website, but here’s what we know now:”

Breweries: * denotes local Abita, Ace, Alaskan, Breckenridge, Brewdog,*Brewery Emperial, Canarchy (Beast, Cigar, Dale, Basin,) Ciderboys, Cigar City Brewing, *Cinderblock, *City Barrel, Cutwater, Deschutes, Goose Island, *KC Bier Co., Kona, Montucky, New Belgium/Bells Nutrl, Odell, Ofallon, Oskar Blues, *Red Crow Brewery, Sierra Nevada, *Stockyards Brewing Co.,*TeaBiotics, *Walnut River Brewing Co.

A wide variety of restaurants on site will include Werner’s Fine Sausages, KC Pretzel Boys, Duck Donuts, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Popculture. Live Music will include two live bands, Flashback and The Happy Wanderers.

The various activities of the Brewfest allow guests to cover tons of ground with access open to the entire Arboretum so they can explore the gardens and nature trails as day turns to night.

“String lights, fire pits, and camaraderie paint the evening with a warm glow of fall activity!” she confirmed.

The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is an educational, recreational and cultural resource for the Kansas City region. At the Arboretum, you’ll experience beautiful gardens with more than 1,700 species of plants, a variety of landscapes, including meticulous gardens, wild hiking trails, and open prairie, and different educational opportunities around every bend in the path. Regardless of the time of year, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens offers unique and unexpected pleasures to all who visit.

With fall weather upon us, this event will be a chance to get outside and enjoy nature for a good cause. For information on ticket prices and anything else about this unique event, visit their website.

Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is located at 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park, KS. Visit artsandrec-op.org .

“Guests can enjoy over 100 varieties of beer, ciders, hard seltzers and even local Kombucha and non-alcoholic hop-waters from dozens of brewery vendors.”

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LEAWOOD IS 75!

In 1922, Oscar G. Lee arrived and purchased acreage between 79th and 103rd streets and State Line and Belinder roads. He probably didn’t realize he had laid the foundation that Leawood would be built! The architect, Kroh Brothers Realty, began developing the land in Johnson County in 1932 with the goal of creating a tranquil community. And Leawood has lived up to their dream! The City was eventually incorporated in November of 1948.

There will be a three-day weekend of activities October 6-8 beginning with the Leawood Chamber’s “Taste of Leawood” on Friday night, October 6. Tickets are $100 and selling quick.  City events ramp on Saturday beginning with a pancake breakfast provided by the Leawood Lions from 7:30 am-1:30 pm. Tickets are required.

A kid’s bike parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. with prizes for the top three. There will be a Touch-A-Truck event from 10:00-1:00 featuring vehicles and equipment from public works, parks, police and fire. Children’s entertainment will begin at 1:00 ending at 3:00 with kids’ concerts and face painters. All these activities will take place along Tomahawk Creek Parkway and are free.

A FESTIVE LINEUP OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN CELEBRATION.

Saturday evening kicks off with a free concert featuring “Twice on Sunday” and a special VIP tent featuring performances by KC Aerial, heavy apps and specialty drinks along with a fabulous swag bag provided by the Leawood Foundation. The concert is free but tickets for the VIP tent are $75 (must be 21) with only 200 tickets available.

Sunday is all about the kiddos with a Kids Karnivale taking place at Tomahawk Park, located off 119th street between Mission Road and Tomahawk Creek Parkway. The event runs from Noon to 5:00 and includes inflatables, rides, cotton candy, popcorn and an interactive workshop by KC Aerial from 1-3:00. Tickets are available for children 18 and under for $7 at City Hall through October 6 or $10 at the door. The Leawood Lions and Boy Scouts Troop 10 will provide drink sales.

Chris Claxton, Director, Parks, Recreation and Arts, noted, “We expect to be completely built out at 42,000 residents in the next five to seven years. Lots of commercial development is also taking place now.”

There is so much happening in the city, and she mentioned a rebranding took place earlier this year with a new logo and tag lines, “Strengthened by Community,” and “Inspired by Possibility”. The city has been given an Aaa bond rating by Moody’s again for the 16th consecutive year.

The city will be electing a new mayor in November as Mayor Peggy Dunn will not seek reelection after 25 years of exceptional service. Council members also not seeking reelection include James Azeltine, Ward 4, Jim Rawlings, Ward 2 and Andrew Osman Ward 1.

The Leawood Arts Council recently commissioned a new art piece to celebrate the 75th anniversary, which is in process by artist, William Nemitoff, who grew up in Leawood but currently resides in New Orleans.

“ELECTED OFFICIALS, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT LEAWOOD PROVIDES TO ITS CITIZENS, BUSINESSES AND VISITORS.”

A new fire station, located at 96th and Lee has been constructed and will be opening in late October. A new park maintenance facility is under construction at 143rd and Overbrook after a flood in August of 2017 destroyed the former facility. The scheduled opening date is the end of October.

The Parks, Recreation & Arts Department is working to finalize a plan to replace the playground at Tomahawk Park with installation planned in the spring of 2024. In addition, two of the main shelters in City Park are planned to be taken down and replaced in 2024.

Volume II of the History Book, “The Journey Continues,” is currently at the publishers and covers the past 25 years. It will be available for purchase at the 75th anniversary events along with Volume I.

“Leawood continues to be a very vibrant, modern community with a variety of new residential options, businesses, and restaurants coming into the community.”

“Elected officials, volunteers and staff continue to emphasize the quality of life that Leawood provides to its citizens, businesses and visitors,” Chris continued. “Our tag line used to be Growing with Distinction, and I can safely say Leawood is now ‘Living with Distinction.’”

For information about event times and locations for celebratory events, or to purchase tickets, visit leawood.org and click on Special Events.

Do The Monster Mash With These Fall-Focused Cocktails Perfect For Halloween Festivities

spook - tails

ARTICLE BY SAM LAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

• 2 ounces cachaça (Brazilian sugar cane rum, silver rum can be substituted)

• 1 ounce Galliano liqueur

• 1/2 ounce lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce brown sugar & cinnamon syrup

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• fresh nutmeg

Combine all ingredients except for the nutmeg in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Strain through a mesh fine strainer into a martini glass or other decorative glassware without ice. Shave fresh nutmeg over the top as a garnish and enjoy!

TOASTED MALLOW

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka

• 1 1/2 ounces chocolate liqueur

• 1/2 ounce Frangelico liqueur

• graham crackers

• marshmallows

Combine all ingredients except for the graham crackers and marshmallows in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag to make a fine powder. Coat half of a martini glass with your crushed graham crackers and strain your cocktail into the coated martini glass. Layer the top of the drink with marshmallows and toast with a crème brûlée torch. Enjoy!

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THE FLAVOR OF FALL

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. They can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While they aren’t a cureall, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.

APPLE GALETTE WITH CARAMEL DRIZZLE

Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/4 cup iced cold water

Filling:

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices

• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Caramel sauce

• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans

Crust:

(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)

Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling:

Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Assemble and Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice cream.

ELEVATED GRILLED CHEESE

This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• 1/4 red onion, sliced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Sliced sourdough bread

• 1-2 tablespoons butter

• 4 ounces Brie, sliced

• Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam

• 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced

• Arugula

• Thinly sliced ham, optional

Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add as well. Top with slice of bread and grill on skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

APPLE CHUTNEY

This Indian-inspired dish is the perfect fall topping for pork chops and also pairs nicely with ham. This is so easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the aroma of fall.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cups Granny Smith apple, chopped

• ¼ cup pecans or walnuts

• 1/3 cup apple juice

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat butter in saucepan, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has cooked down and the apples are tender. Serve over pork chops. Enjoy!

APPLE CRISP A LA MODE

This fall classic is the perfect treat for a cozy fall dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

• 6-8 apples, peeled and sliced

• ½ cup dark brown sugar

• ¼ cup flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:

• ¾ cup flour

• ¾ cup dark brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ cup cold butter cubed

• 1 cup oats

• ¼ cup pecans, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease pie plate or baking dish. Mix all filling ingredients together and place in baking dish. Prepare topping by combining the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in butter using a fork or pastry cutter. Stir in oats and pecans and sprinkle over filling until covered. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with caramel drizzle and vanilla ice cream.

APPLE CIDER BOURBON

This easy fall cocktail is festive and delicious. Served hot or cold, it is a crowd pleaser.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• Apple cider (hot or cold)

• 1 ½ ounce bourbon or whiskey

• ½ ounce honey

• ½ ounce lemon juice

• Cinnamon

• Apple slice

Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Serve over ice and garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice. Enjoy!

BAKED APPLES

Baked apples is a great fall side dish or can also be the perfect appetizer to share with others. This dish is surprisingly savory, is simple to make and looks impressive.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• 3 apples, your choice of variety, halved and cored

• 3 tablespoons butter

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup apple juice or apple cider

• Fresh rosemary, chopped

• Brie, sliced

• Chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice apples in half and remove the core. Set aside. Heat skillet and melt butter. Add brown sugar and lightly stir. Place apples face down in the skillet and add apple juice and a sprig of rosemary. Allow apples to cook on stovetop for 5-10 minutes. Flip apples over and top with Brie, chopped walnuts and chopped rosemary. Bake for 6-7 minutes or until the Brie is melted. This is best served warm and is easy to reheat. Enjoy!

Deep-Seated Contentment

Make time to gather around the heart and hearth of your home. Our deep-seated Allure sofas and sectionals bring a clean, modern sensibility to your relaxation. Or you can curl yourself into the natural, cocooning curves of the shearling-covered Garner chair. From afternoon idyllis to late night lounging, you’ve come home to comfort.