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F E B R UA RY 2 02 3

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* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 01/6/2023. 11/10/2022. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC). FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

500+ Reviews

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Lifestyle Letter

February 2023 PUBLISHER

Laura Paszkiewicz | laura@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR

Laura Maxwell | laura.maxwell@citylifestyle.com

When I think about February, Valentine’s Day invariably comes to mind, and I get a little traumatized. You see, when my kids were little I had a love/ hate relationship with those darned decorated boxes they wanted to make to take to school, as my intention to help them create some sweet, cute little box somehow always morphed into a 20 hour craft project with me toiling away long after they had gone to bed. All kidding aside, I did view those opportunities to craft with my kids as a chance to pass along my love for ‘making’. Scrapbooking was one of my favorite ways to document the activities of their childhood, so there was always an abundance of paper, stickers, and cut outs from which to choose. Today’s world is even more hurry scurry than it was when my kids were little, but I believe seizing those opportunities to pause, create, and dabble in art of various forms can give us each valuable insight into our gifts and talents. This month’s issue features some amazing artisans who have done much more than dabble in their art; for most of them their art has become their life‘s work. The gift for us as readers is that each of them have chosen to share their craft in our community, and we get to enjoy the byproducts of their commitment. If you haven’t decided yet how best to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with your loved ones, you’ll find an abundance of options in the pages that follow - from a date night concert to the perfect combination of chocolates and flowers, to a recipe you can create and serve at home. Enjoy, and I hope you make time this month to dabble!

CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

John Beaudoin, Alicia Holecek, Laura Maxwell, Olivia Poettgen, Judy Goppert CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Janie Jones, Ryan Hill

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

L AU R A M A X W E L L , E D I TO R I A L C O O R D I N ATO R @LEESSUMMITCIT YLIFEST YLE

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/LEESSUMMIT |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Lee’s Summit City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Lee’s Summit area’s 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 Lee’s Summit City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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Tim Denker

John Kliewer

Partner, BWA I Sr. Financial Advisor

Dennis Bacon CPA, CFP® Partner I Chief Investment Officer, BW

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Central to yo u r su cce s s a n d l oc a te d i n t h e h ear t o f Le e s’ Summi t , ea ch o f t h e se p ro fe ssi o nal orga niza tions stri ve to prov ide t h e h i g h e s t l eve l of p rofe s si o nal se r vi ce o n an i n d i vi d ual i ze d basi s. Thi s i s a ccomplish ed by prov idin g exem p l a r y s e r vi ce t h a t g oe s ab ove an d b eyo n d yo ur ex p e c t at i o ns. Th ey are th e fa milia r, re lia ble, a n d c re d i b l e b u s i n e s s e s t h a t yo u wo ul d have ex p e c te d i n smal l tow ns f ro m a pa st era . Julia h a s b een a b u s i n e s s ow n e r fo r ove r 18 ye a rs a n d h a s worke d i n th e a ccou n ti n g i n d ust r y for 32 years . Sh e is s kille d i n b u s i n e s s p l a n n i n g, i n com e ta x, IRS n oti ce work , a n d p a yroll a n d is a st ron g bus in es s d evelo p m e n t p ro fe s s i o n a l . S h e ru n s h e r b u si n e ss w i th a com m i tm e n t to re lat ionships, exce llen ce , co l l a b o ra t i o n , a n d i n te gri ty—a n d looks for cli e n ts w h o do th e sa m e.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Homemade

Lifestyle Letter

Culinary Creations

Expert Help

Chef ’s Selection

Artist’s Palette

Back Stage

How To

Realty Report

The American Family Cookbook

30 The Chocolate Crawl Celebrating Kansas City Chocolatiers

36 Artwork from the Heart

Sarah Jane Roberts creates lovely, detailed floral images with the stroke of her

watercolor paintbrush.

42 Backstage with a Lee's Summit Musician The Many Rock and Roll Faces of Bobby Kerr

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Ryan Hill of 8183 Productions Courtney Hill with Homemade: The American Family Cookbook

FO O D + B E V E R AG E

LO CA L S ERV I C ES FO O D + B EV E R AG E

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

The American Family Cookbook

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

HOMEMADE ARTICLE BY LAURA MAXWELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN HILL OF 8183 PRODUCTIONS

Inspiration often comes from reflecting on those things that bring us the most pleasure and joy, and for local author Courtney Hill that’s no exception. Her love for vintage cookbooks, vinyl records and everything mid-century have inspired her journey in writing Homemade: The American Family Cookbook. Hill says “I have a large collection of vintage cookbooks that were the inspiration for the look and feel of my cookbook. Thrifting and antiquing are some of my favorite things to do, and all the dishes photographed in the cookbook were found on my adventures.” As a busy mom of twins, Hill recognizes that in today’s hurry-scurry world, sitting down around the kitchen table as a family may seem like a luxury, but she believes the family meal is a meaningful vestige of the past worth bringing back as often as possible, and one that doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “My goal is to encourage people to cook more at home. I’d love for the book to spark a movement of bringing back the family meal - it’s very doable and doesn’t have to be overly complicated,” she says.

Hill has been nurturing her culinary dream for years. A former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher staying home with newborn twins in 2015, she started a cooking blog as a creative outlet. The blogging experience led to the desire to eventually turn the entries into a cookbook, and when Covid hit in 2020, the time was right. “During the uncertainty of the moment and mandatory time at home, I had renewed inspiration to publish the cookbook. When our production studio had to shut down in the spring of 2020, my husband and I had some time to shoot the first vintage style photo. From that first photo, I could see my long awaited vision coming to life and I knew it was going to be amazing.” Amazing things take time though, and the publishing process took almost two years from that initial photo shoot. Hill says “I learned that any dream worth having is worth fighting for; there were many hurdles to overcome with the self/ hybrid publishing process. God was with us though, providing money in unexpected places and through encouragement and perseverance when I hit obstacles.”

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

With the cookbook in print and available online through major retailers like Amazon, Target and WalMart, Hill has now been working to expand her circle of influence through social media, vendor fairs, decorating events and baking custom cakes and cookies through her business, Courtney’s Cookies & Cakes KC. Juggling multiple responsibilities as wife, mom, and CFO of a local production studio, all while cultivating her dreams, requires commitment and time management skills, but Hill embraces each role with vigor. “I feel one of my strengths is time management. It’s how I can get so much done, especially when it comes to meal planning. Of course, some weeks are crazy and I don’t cook every night, but I love my family, I love teaching, and I love spending time with them cooking and teaching them how to cook.” She and husband Ryan hope their kids may eventually follow in their footsteps. “They love to be in the kitchen with me. My daughter loves to make elaborate tiny foods, and my son helps me bake. Down the road, we plan to have them cook our family meal once a week,” she says. Among her favorite recipes from the cookbook are the fried chicken meal, the plum good chicken, and the soups. “I make the fried chicken meal at least a couple times a month. It’s pretty fast and tastes so good!” For more information or to purchase the cookbook, visit https://cookhomemade.net

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

LEEK MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE Ingredients • 5–6 button mushrooms, sliced • 1 leek, sliced • 2 tbs. butter • 2 tbs. flour • 1 cup milk • 1/2 tsp. salt Directions 1. Sauté mushrooms and leeks in 2 tbs. butter over medium heat until soft, then set aside. 2. In a saucepan, melt 2 tbs. butter and stir in flour to form a roux. Let the roux cook for 1 minute or so to remove any floury taste. 3. To make a basic white sauce: add milk, salt, and stir. Allow it to thicken. Add the mushrooms and leeks, and allow sauce to thicken a little more. 4. Serve over nicely cooked steak and enjoy!

WASSAIL Ingredients • 2 quarts apple cider • 2 cups pineapple juice • 2 cups orange juice • 3/4 cup lemon juice • 1 cup sugar • 1 cinnamon stick, broken • 1 tsp whole cloves Directions: Simmer all ingredients in large stock pot for 10 min, remove cinnamon stick and cloves, serve warm.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

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ARTICLE BY ALICIA HOLECEK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Beautiful Blooms Gifting flowers for Valentine’s Day is a universal language of love, but most flowers also have a specific meaning. Love, passion, friendship, admiration, and loyalty are just some of the messages flowers can send. From the timeless choice of romantic red roses to an arrangement filled with a beautiful selection of flowers, what message do you want to send your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? Whether you want to tell someone that they are your forever Valentine, thank your best Galentines, or even offer a random act of kindness to a neighbor or co-worker, flowers are sure to bring joy! To make a significant statement for your romantic partner, splurge on a big and bougie arrangement. Barbara Keller, owner of All A’ Bloom, recommends lilies, tulips and roses together for lots of drama, and a fantastic smell. “The red roses signify love and romance, pale pink oriental lilies represent passion, and the red tulips mean my feelings are true,” she explains. Barbara also suggests using the floral designer’s guidance when

EXP E RT H E LP | LOCAL SERVI CE S

“ T h e re d ro s e s s i g n i f y l o v e a n d ro m a n c e , p a l e p i n k o r i e n t a l l i l i e s re p re s e n t p a s s i o n , a n d t h e re d t u l i p s m e a n my fe e l i n g s a re t r u e .”

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

“ O u r c u s t o m e r s l o v e t h e d e s i g n e r ’s c h o i c e a r ra n ge m e n t s ,”

Dried Peonies

EXP E RT H E LP | LOCAL SERVI CE S

ordering flowers to get the best selection. “Our customers love the designer’s choice arrangements,” she says. “As the person giving the flowers, it gets you the best reaction, and the recipient will think you outdid yourself by giving this gift!” Valentine’s Day is about celebrating all the people you love, including your gal pals, BFFs and favorite family members. Keller, a fan of trendier, more unique designs for sharing with your friends, has a low and lush arrangement perfect for all those special relationships. In-season options for a platonic gift are bountiful: stock flowers represent a happy life, white hydrangeas mean grace, pink cremon mums represent friendship and wax flowers signify best wishes of lasting success. All A’Bloom is working on adding a full list of traditional flower meanings to their website for customers who are interested in learning more about the “secret language” of flowers. A lovely hand-tied bouquet may be the perfect gift on Valentine’s Day (or any day, really) for a co-worker, neighbor or new person in your life. For some ‘just because I am thinking of you’ flowers, Barbara recommends purple gerbs which represent closeness, green trick for feelings of affection, purple snapdragons signifying magic, and green hydrangeas which mean a fresh start. Flowers can also be preserved and displayed to cherish past the life of the flower. Drying flowers preserving them as keepsakes or used as décor is easy. Here are simple tips for drying them at home: • Air drying is the most common method used to dry flowers. Secure groups of small bouquets and hang them upside down. This can take up to three to four weeks to complete and to be fully dry. Air drying is great for making decorative accents for your home. • Pressing flowers involves using something heavy to lay on top of the flowers to squeeze the moisture out of it. Pressing is a great way to dry flowers for keepsakes or artwork. Visit All A’Bloom at 5 SE 3rd Street or at allabloomflorist.com

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

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With Inspired Closets, every space is designed around you. We’ll design and build your one-ofa-kind laundry room, providing easy, organized access to everything you need to get the most out of the hardest working room in your home. Get inspired at InspiredClosetsKC.com Inspired Closets Kansas City Call Now For A Free Consultation: 913-730-3000 Visit our Showroom: 11886 West 91st Street, Overland Park, KS 66214

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

Kansas City Chocolatiers KANSAS CITY CHOCOLATIERS ARE RECEIVING RECOGNITION FOR THEIR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND FINE CHOCOLATES ON NATIONAL LEVELS

ARTICLE BY OLIVIA POETTGEN

Panache Photo by Paul Versluis

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Bliss Chocolatier

When you bite into a piece of chocolate, you may not fully grasp the time and talent it took to bring that smooth, sweet, delicious treat to your home. The art of chocolate making is astounding, and Kansas City chocolatiers use their talents to make headway on national platforms. These nine chocolatiers bring their passion for creating fine chocolates with ingredients from around the world to Kansas City residents. Read on to learn about their accomplishments and find the perfect chocolate for your Valentine’s Day celebrations!

PANACHE

Founded in 2013, Panache runs on a passion for creating luxury chocolates. They pride themselves on using only the highest-grade, sustainably grown cocoa from farmers worldwide. The combination of Colombian and Belgian cocoa accentuates the rich flavors of European chocolate. In 2018, Panache was named

Premier Artisan Chocolatier by the International Chocolate Salon. They also received Best Chocolatier and Confectioner and Master Chocolatier honors in 2019. As a six-star Grand Master Chocolatier three years in a row, Panache holds esteemed authority among Kansas City chocolatiers. chocolatekc.com/

BLISS CHOCOLATIER

Bliss specializes in hand-painted bonbons, chocolate bars, and other fine confections. Founded by mother-daughter team Jessica Washburn and Pat Jarstad, Bliss strives to bring customers the finest chocolates and confections in Blue Springs. Jessica’s training with chocolatier masters like Melissa Coppel and Kriss Harvey equipped her to take on the title of master chocolatier at Bliss. Their artfully crafted desserts are made from sustainably grown CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

Sweet Kiss brigadeiro

couverture chocolate, fresh dairy, ripe fruits, purees, nuts, and spices to make impeccably delicious recipes. Bliss’s beautifully decorated, made-from-scratch chocolates are bursting with intense flavors that will satisfy any chocolate craving. blisschocolatier.com/

ANNEDORE’S

Christopher Elbow

Annedore’s Fine Chocolates brings whimsical gifts, handcrafted truffles, and 30 years of experience in the chocolatier business to Kansas City. They offer a variety of confections ranging from European-style truffles and unique chocolate gifts to caramels, toffee, and brittles. Each batch of sweet delicacies is hand-made and stirred in a copper kettle to extract maximum flavor. Their chocolate truffle collection completes a romantic date night, while their lifesize chocolate football will satisfy any sports lover. You can visit this charming chocolate shop in Westwood Hills and Shawnee, or online. annedores.com/

BIZZ & WEEZY’S

Inspired by their game handles in World of Warcraft, Amy and Jonathan chose ‘Bizz & Weezy’ as their business’ personal and unique name. They started making truffles for friends and family in 2008, and as demand grew, they eventually moved their business into a commercial space in the Crossroads District. They now offer a cafe and coffee shop with a lunch menu that includes salads, sandwiches, warm bowls, and sweet treats. They also deliver brunch boxes to bring their delicious pastries and breakfast foods directly to clients. bizzandweezy.com/

LAURA LITTLE’S

Panache Photo by Janie Jones

Since 1970, Kansas City residents have trusted Laura Little’s to provide the best in quality service. Laura’s takes pride in creating fudges and candies using only the finest ingredients. They make chocolate the old-fashioned way, using fresh ingredients cooked in a copper kettle and stirred with a wooden paddle. Along with chocolates, they sell popcorn tins, fudge and assorted candies. Laura Little’s fudge and candies are the perfect way to sweeten any date night. lauralittlecandy.com/

SWEET KISS BRIGADEIRO

As Kansas City’s first artisanal brigadeiro shop, Sweet Kiss brings authentic Brazilian sweets to the midwest. Regina Antunes and Jessica Harris, founders of Sweet Kiss, say that the candy holds fond memories. For the mother-daughter duo, making brigadeiros means sharing some of their fondest family memories with their customers. Each candy is handcrafted with high-quality ingredients and gourmet chocolate. Customers can feel their passion and dedication to Brazilian sweets in each bite of their delicious treats. Brigadeiros are the perfect way to immerse yourself in Brazilian culture without leaving the comfort of Kansas City. sweetkissbrigadeiro.com/

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

ANDRE’S

A Kansas City tradition for more than 65 years, Andre’s gives customers plenty of opportunities to taste handcrafted Swiss-style chocolates. The Bollier family has maintained the tradition of Swiss confections for three generations through their passion for making precise, bold and beautiful chocolate. Magazines including Forbes, Bon Appetit, Food Network, and USA Today have featured Andre’s delicious chocolates. Treat yourself to a box of Andre’s unique Swiss chocolates for a truly traditional Kansas City Valentine’s Day. andreschocolates.com/

CHRISTOPHER ELBOW

For 19 years, Christopher Elbow has combined modern culinary art with diligent craftsmanship to produce fine chocolates and chocolate confections. Their chocolate bonbons and confections are handcrafted and burst with rich flavors from around the world. Their unique holiday collection

is perfect for small family gatherings or romantic date nights. They also make corporate gift boxes for employees, clients, and CEOs. When people see the Christopher Elbow logo, they know they are getting some of the finest quality chocolate in Kansas City. elbowchocolates.com/

CHIP’S CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Since 1983, Chip’s Chocolate Factory has become an internationally known premium confectionary company. As a family-owned and operated business Kansas City-based business, they have extensive experience handcrafting deliciously tempting chocolates, nuts, fudges, and cotton candy. In the kitchen, they use the original marble tables, hand utensils, and copper kettles from their opening 39 years ago. Their broad selection of sweets creates memorable experiences for visitors to Crown Center. chipschocolatefactory.com/

Christopher Elbow FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

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Are you tired of living stories that totally underwhelm you? Broken Changed & Rearranged is your guidebook for starting over. Available locally at Ivy & Sparrow Boutique in downtown Lee’s Summit and all other major book retailers.

lieslhays.com/book FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

Artwork from the heart

SARAH JANE ROBERTS CREATES LOVELY, DETAILED FLORAL IMAGES WITH THE STROKE OF HER WATERCOLOR PAINTBRUSH. ARTICLE BY JUDY GOPPERT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

“My inspiration to draw and paint goes back to my early childhood. My grandmother had some land in southern Missouri, and my sister, parents and I A journey filled with encouragement, passion, art and family is the impetus that led Sarah Jane Roberts to create her own company, Sarah Jane Studio Art. “My inspiration to draw and paint goes back to my early childhood. My grandmother had some land in southern Missouri, and my sister, parents and I would go down there most weekends and spend several weeks out of the summer,” she notes. “She had big, beautiful flower and vegetable gardens and orchards. We would pick fruit, flowers and veggies out of her garden. I have so many fond memories of that, and I believe my love of flowers originated there. Flowers are so feminine, elegant and delicate.” She explains she has always drawn and her mother, Jane, saved all her pictures. Her grandmother complimented her, and she remembers thinking, “Ok this is something I love, and my family encouraged me. I fell in love with it. A lot of the fine art, painting and drawing stuck with me as I grew up.” Another source of her inspiration was a high school teacher she had while attending Blue Springs High School. She would stay after school and paint with her and do ceramics, which continued to build her confidence. Toward the end of high school, she began pondering her life course and her father, John, suggested graphic design as a career, as it was still creative and artistic. This led her to earn her degree in graphic design from UMKC in 2011. She met her husband, Donnie, while working at Costco, and the connection was instant. He is now an electrical engineer. “We married young, and I knew he was the one for me when we discovered our shared love of the Lord and strong faith in Christ,” she smiles. “In 2016, I got pregnant with our first child, Elliot, who is six now. He had some mild medical needs, so I dropped to part-time with my graphic design work. After I had my second son, Isaac, who is three now, I realized I

would go down there most weekends and spend several weeks out of the summer.”

began feeling the urge at the end of the night to get out my fine art tools and begin painting again. Isaac was four months old when I began experimenting with watercolors…I fell in love with them!” Sarah Jane participated in Fourth Fridays events downtown Lee’s Summit last summer and now has some original work and prints in All A’Bloom Floral and Gifts downtown Lee’s Summit and in Becker + Raven, a home décor shop in Mission, Kansas. She is instilling her love for nature in her boys. They enjoy taking walks around their neighborhood near Lake Lotawana and collecting little acorns, sticks and such. She also enjoys photography and taking landscape pictures when the family vacations. “I see the glory of God through creation, down to the smallest little petal of a flower, it is inspiring; He is the ultimate creator. In some small way I hope my art brings glory to God, I love being able to share that with others and hope it blesses them as well,” she continues. “My belief in Christ and his redemptive work on the cross and through his resurrection is above all in my life. If I can communicate that in some way through my little area of art, that’s my goal. I’m not perfect, but I can use the artistic gift God has given me to bring glory to Him.” Find her artwork on her website sarahjanestudiosart.com and on Instagram, as well as at All A’Bloom, Lee’s Summit, and Becker + Raven, Mission, Kansas.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

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910-W NW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit | (816) 874-0555 www.cyclebar.com/location/lees-summit FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

The many rock-n-roll faces of Bobby Kerr

ARTICLE BY JOHN BEAUDOIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

B ACK STAGE | L IFE + CU LTURE

Local musician Bobby Kerr can seamlessly move from nerdy math-rock to flashy hair bands to modern-day southern rock. Such is the life of a frontman for three bands t wo of them of the tribute variet y - who also owns four businesses. Kerr, a resident of Lake Lotawana, fronts Bob Jovi (a tribute to Bon Jovi), Just What I Needed (a tribute to The Cars) and Soulshine - a southern rock band, with the sound of, as Kerr puts it, “think Chris Stapleton meets Tom Petty.” Born and raised in Blue Springs, Kerr cut his musical teeth during choir practice in elementary school, but he quickly learned guitar - for good reasons. “As early as I knew, I could sing, so maybe kindergarten,” Kerr said. “My first instrument was the drums and I got my first kit when I was 11. When I was in high school, David would be playing guitar and I would be singing. All the girls were paying attention to the guys playing guitar and not me, so I had to teach myself to play guitar.” The ‘David’ Kerr refers to is American Idol winner David Cook, a classmate of Kerr’s at Blue Springs South, who joined Kerr in forming the group Axium in high school. Kerr stayed with Axium until 2005, moving on to the tribute band Almost Kiss as the role of the Starchild, Paul Stanley. Tribute bands seeped into Kerr’s soul, it seems, as he embraced a range of rock and roll genres on top of Almost Kiss, from the mathematical, complex sounds of The Cars to the theatrical and long-haired look and sound of Bon Jovi - a band with a quintessential rock and roll beginning. “We were having drinks at a casino and I said, ‘We should do a Bon Jovi tribute band and call it Bob Jovi.’ So we did,” Kerr recalls. “That band has really taken off. Everywhere we go, it’s an instant sellout. And it’s an 80s Bon Jovi show - the hair, the costumes, the lights. It’s the world’s most authentic 80s Bon Jovi show. As close as you can get to the Slippery When Wet tour.”

Just What I Needed - a tribute to The Cars - was actually born before Bob Jovi as Kerr’s bands were performing a few songs from the popular 80s band when they decided to go all Cars. “Each one of these bands, before they get released into the wild, so to speak, it takes about a year’s worth of rehearsals to get the shows where they need to be for a live concert,” Kerr said, noting the authenticity is essential to truly paying tribute to these bands on stage. “The choreography, voices, the exact guitars they use on stage, all of it,” Kerr said. “If Bon Jovi is overweight, can’t sing and has short hair, that won’t work for very long. It’s always a grind to put on the best show possible.” Both tribute bands feature the same five musicians, too. “We can provide this ultimate nerdy experience and then turn around and play a hair band experience.” Kerr’s propensity for launching bands comes honestly. He taught business and entrepreneurship at Moreland Ridge Middle School and currently runs four real estate-related businesses that focus on home inspections, mortgage brokerage, and property and casualty insurance. “I like to think that my entrepreneurship started in music. I was scheduling tours, a marketer, finding vehicles to house the band; that’s how that really took off,” Kerr said. His outside-the-tribute-box band, Soulshine, started in 2021. “We had such success with the tribute bands and playing Jon Bon Jovi for 10,000 people, but I wasn’t having the opportunity to be Bobby on stage,” he said. “Honestly, I just can’t get enough of the Soulshine shows. I totally forget about everything and get sucked into the spirit of rock and roll.” Bob Jovi and Just What I Needed will perform Feb. 18 at Knuckleheads; Soulshine will take the stage March 4, also at Knuckleheads.

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

B ACK STAGE | L IFE + CU LTURE

BOBBY’S FAVORITE MUSICIANS (IN ORDER): The Beatles, KISS, Frank Sinatra, Eagles, Billy Joel

FAVORITE SONG TO COVER:

BIGGEST HIT SONGS: “Drive” (The Cars); “Livin’ On a Prayer” (Bon Jovi); “Run Away From it All” (Blackberry Smoke cover by Soulshine)

“I’ll Be There For You,” Bon Jovi

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

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TO MY VALENTINE DIY Stationery ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER @SILVERTOOTHHOME PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

H OW TO | L IFE + CU LTU R E

Create timeless keepsakes for those you love with this easy DIY Valentine Stationary. There is something special and reminiscent of our earlier years of creating homemade valentines for those special in our lives. While stores are filled with valentine candy, cards and gifts, the thoughtfulness and time put into to a handmade card holds a different meaning. Words are the things we treasure most, so let those you care about most know how you treasure them this Valentine’s Day.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED • • • • • • • • •

Kitchen Knife Red or Russet Potato (for heart) Romaine lettuce (for rose) Acrylic Paint Paint Brush Blank Envelopes Blank Cards Heart Template (www.silvertoothhome.com/blog/diy-stationery) Hand Lettering Template (www.silvertoothhome.com/blog/ diy-stationery) • Light Box

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEART PRINTS 1. Cut the potato in half. Using a small knife, carefully carve a heart shape onto the flat side of the potato. Carve freestyle or use the free template under “DIY Stationery” on the blog at silvertoothhome.com/blog/diy-stationery. Even when using the template, each carving will come out as unique art like the ones you see here.

2. With a paint brush, apply paint to the heart shape on the potato. 3. Stamp the potato heart onto blank stationery. 4. Set aside until completely dry.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROSE PRINTS 1. Cut the end off of romaine lettuce. Set leaves aside and use the stem. 2. Using a paintbrush, apply paint to the lettuce stem. 3. Stamp the lettuce “rose” onto blank stationery. 4. Set aside until completely dry. Once your stationery is completely dry it is time to add beautiful Valentine’s Day lettering. If you have beautiful handwriting then draw free hand. If you’re not as confident then use a light box and my hand lettering template (found on the blog at silvertoothhome.com/blog/diy-stationery) to transfer lettering onto the stationery. To do this, first lay the hand lettering template on a light box with the stationery on top. Then trace the hand lettering onto the stationery with a pen or marker of choice.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/L E E S S UM M I T

FE BRUARY 2 0 2 3

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Lee’s Summit. N E I G H B O RH O O D

LIST PRICE

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Colony Gardens

$300,000.00

$295,000.00

98%

115

2/1

Eagle Creek

$210,000.00

$200,000.00

95%

2/1

Eagle Creek

$215,000.00

$212,000.00

99%

2/1

Eagle Creek- Countryside

$180,000.00

$182,500.00

101%

2/1

Emerald View

$289,900.00

100%

Foxwood

$310,000.00

$325,000.00

105%

2/1

Highland Meadows

$490,000.00

$482,000.00

98%

127

4/1

Hook Farms

$637,550.00

$489,900.00

77%

Hook Farms

$574,900.00

$564,900.00

98%

Howard's Add

$200,000.00

$204,500.00

102%

Howard's Add

$385,000.00

$365,000.00

95%

Meadows Of Winterset

$360,000.00

$345,000.00

96%

2/1

Siena At Longview

$400,000.00

$395,000.00

99%

2/1

Sterling Hills

$310,000.00

$316,000.00

102%

2/1

Tudor Ridge

$335,000.00

100%

Villas at Meadows of Winterset

$360,000.00

$355,000.00

99%

Whispering Woods

$584,184.00

$597,065.00

102%

3/1

Whispering Woods

$735,000.00

100%

275

White Ridge Farms

$350,000.00

$345,000.00

99%

Winterset Park

$459,000.00

$464,000.00

101%

4/1

Woodbury Park

$329,900.00

$320,000.00

97%

2/1

Woodside Ridge

$589,950.00

$577,950.00

98%

337

172

3/1

Woodside Ridge

$599,950.00

$673,920.00

112%

Woodside Ridge

$824,950.00

100%

This data is a sampling of sold properties from December 2022. Source: IRES MLS system.

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | R EAL E STATE

Talking to Your Kids About Social Media Safety There are so many questions to address when it comes to your kids and what they do online, whether on their computer, phone, or tablet. The news is littered with stories of children and teenagers who are bullied on social media, and you no doubt want to protect your children in this digital age. Talking to your kids about social media safety is an important (ongoing) conversation, and you may need to start it sooner than you think. Even children in elementary school are online, so arming them with the tools they need to ensure their mental wellbeing is crucial.

THE INTERNET IS FOREVER Perhaps one of the most important privacy issues your children need to understand about social media is that what they think is private isn’t always. Digital permanence is the technical term for information that lives online forever. Once something is uploaded—even on a site such as Snapchat, which is designed to delete content after a certain time period—it can be copied, downloaded, or found again at a future date. When your child is starting to get involved in online endeavors, whether on a social media platform or a blog, talk to them about social media safety. Tell them to check their privacy settings and make everything private to only them and those with whom they are connected. The easiest way to accomplish this is to Google “privacy settings” plus the platform of choice. These can be changed on the app or computer. Remember that many platforms default to making everything public, so this is an important first step. After privacy settings are enabled, reiterate how important it is to monitor what is shared on social media. If your child wouldn’t want you to see what they post, they’re better off not posting it online.

CONSIDER CONNECTIONS Some people approach social media with a mindset of connecting with anyone who requests it. Others prefer to keep their online network limited. There’s no right or wrong way to approach this situation, but for social media safety, help your children understand that the people they’re connected to will be able to see everything they post. On some platforms, connections of connections can also see your posts.

Just as privacy settings help to limit an online audience, keeping connections to a minimum also limits who sees the information your children share. Remind your children that social media safety means only accepting connection requests from trusted family and friends, as well as reviewing connections regularly to ensure the right people are in their networks.

AVOID SHARING ANYTHING TOO PERSONAL While your children may think that it’s fine to share on social media the fact that they’ll be going out of town, that’s the kind of thing people look for. Even someone your kids consider to be a friend could take advantage of the fact that “my parents are gone” to suggest a party in their absence. And it’s not just kids who forget not to share personal information online. Adults can get excited about vacation plans and let everyone know they’re heading out of town. Of course, that means their houses will be empty, which invites trouble. Caution your children that, for their social media safety, they should avoid sharing personal information such as travel plans, address, phone number, or school location. Social media is built to tag locations, and we all tend to do it, so keep reminding them. And be a good role model by sharing with your children the things you’re posting and how you’re being aware of your own social media safety. That’s not to say they can’t share pictures of things that happened at school or on vacation; just don’t say which school or when they’re away from home.

SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE With initial and ongoing education about the importance of social media safety, parents can instill smart habits in their children. The internet is not going away, and it gets easier every day to share information online. But with practice and reminders, you and your children can share with the right people the things that are important to them and protect their privacy. In addition to caring about your children’s wellbeing, Community Choice Pediatrics helps protect your children’s health. Our clinics are always accepting new patients. Learn more and schedule your appointment onine.

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