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Locally grown: Pleasant Valley Petals gives tips for adding florals to your holiday table A CO M MU N IT Y CO M ES TO GETH ER TO H ELP H AYLE Y ' S E ATERY RISE FRO M TH E A SH ES

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November 2023 PUBLISHER

Brandy Reed | brandy.reed@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Katie Currid | katie.currid@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Plenty to be thankful for November always has me excited for Thanksgiving — one of my favorite holidays. I love to cook for our family and I may be one of the few people around who actually cares about the turkey. And I definitely go overboard on the dessert. But just as important to me as the food and the company is a beautiful table. This month, our cover is graced by Karly Aldrich of Pleasant Valley Petals, who cultivates her own flowers for stunning bouquets. She gives some great tips on making your own holiday arrangements for your Thanksgiving table — or a hostess gift, especially if you're coming to my house! This month, we also share the inspiring journey of a single mom, Hayley Crawford, whose community rallied to aid her family after a devastating fire destroyed her fledging food truck business. She opened a new restaurant just a few months ago and I'm so happy to see her succeeding through such adversity. In honor of Veterans Day, writer Gilbert Randolph also wrote a round-up of local veteran-owned businesses. These businesses always have a special place in my heart, as a former military spouse and the daughter of two veterans! Speaking of service, Diana Lambdin Meyer and Hannah Schreiner put together a story about Healing Heroic Heroes, a non-profit dedicated to supporting our tireless first responders. I'm so glad an organization like this exists to fight burnout in a profession that can be so hard on one mentally and physically. And this month, I'm grateful, as always, for you, dear reader. Thanks for giving our magazine a space in your home each month and for spending time amongst our pages. I hope your November is filled with gratitude and plenty of things to be thankful for. Until next month,

CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Diana Lambdin Meyer, Gilbert Randolph CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER

Hannah Schreiner

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 AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Northland City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Northland 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 Northland City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

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inside the issue The Thankful Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Locally Grown

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Local Experiences

Party Planning LI FE + C U LT U R E

Giving Back LI FE + C U LT U R E

Hometown Hero FO O D + B EV E R AG E

Self Care HEA LT H + WELLNES S

Events

Seasonal Setups LI FE + C U LTU R E

Pleasant Valley Petals isn't just a florist — owner Karly grows it all, too

22 Grace Under Fire

After a fire took her livelihood, Hayley Crawford's community stepped in to help

28 Saluting Success

A round-up of veteran-owned businesses in honor of Veteran's Day

34 Healing the Heroes

Healing Heroic Heroes aims to rescue healthcare workers from burnout

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Katie Currid Karly Alrich cuts flowers from her home garden for her business, Pleasant Valley Petals.

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Health Care

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N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 3

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

1-3: On Monday, September 11th, 34 golf teams, sponsors, vendors, and supporters joined in honor of 9/11 and helped raise vital funds for Liberty Hospital Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program. Photography by Savage Photography + Design

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @northlandcitylifestyle

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business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. 2023 Holiday Ornament of Historic Downtown Liberty Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a special touch to your holiday decor and support Historic Downtown Liberty's efforts to preserve the history and charm of our beloved historic downtown area. The 2023 ornament features 342 N. Water Street, St. James Anglican Cathedral built in 1913. The ornament is available for purchase at the Farmers' Market, on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until noon.

Scan to read more. Photography Historic Download Liberty, Inc.

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local experiences The best places and things to do in our area. TIFFANY KILLOREN

Although November is a month to be thankful and cherish time spent with friends and family, giving back to our communities should really be a regular way of life that betters both the recipient and volunteer. The Northland has both a need and opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and teach our kids the importance of putting others first.

Our Picks to Pay it Forward LEVEL UP KIDS: Providing free dental and vision care, this organization

makes sure area students have what they need to learn and smile brightly. levelupkidsinc.org HARVESTERS: Everyone deserves a beautiful holiday meal. Harvester’s Holiday Box program invites you to pack the fixings for a meal and spread some love at the table. harvesters.org FEED NORTHLAND KIDS: Supplying school food pantries and BackSnacks, this organization makes sure that elementary kids have enough to eat during school breaks and weekends. feednorthlandkids.org HILLCR EST FAMILY SER VICES: Helping families get back on their feet, donating and shopping at their popular thrift stores helps Hillcrest’s community initiatives. hillcrestplatte.org K C P E T P R O J E C T : Making a true impact in animals’ lives, volunteering with this organization makes sure four-legged friends get the care and love they deserve. kcpetproject.org

Scan for more photos and the full list. Harvesters

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

Tiffany Killoren | @readandthreads Tiffany Killoren has worn many hats―attorney, magazine editor, freelance writer, and author― and has found a way to combine her legal and writing backgrounds into a communications career while pondering her next novel. Her articles about film directors, celebrity bodyguards, artists, and national musical performers have been featured in multiple magazines, as well as her work focusing on community programs and area entrepreneurs. Tiffany’s novel, GOOD WILL, was released in February 2020 and has been featured in various publications, was selected for KC 102.1’s Jacqui Lucky’s Book Group, and earned a FIVE-STAR ranking by Readers’ Favorite. Photo by: Molly Kuplen Photography

LOCA L E X P E R IE N C E S

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

Locally Grown PLEASANT VALLEY PETALS ISN'T JUST A FLORIST — OWNER KARLY GROWS IT ALL, TOO Karly Aldrich didn’t start out growing flowers. The only flowers she had on her small 1/3 acre lot in Pleasant Valley were the marigolds and zinnias she grew as companion plants to attract pollinators to her vegetable plants. “I found myself one day at Walmart and I was buying flowers for my table,” says Karly. “I brought them home and I was like, ‘Wait, why did I buy flowers? I have flowers outside.’ And I was like, why don’t I just grow flowers? Because they looked so much better.” Before she knew it, Karly was planting a cut flower garden and was in love with it. “The first year I just wanted to dip my toes in and see what it was gonna be like,” says Karly. “Growing flowers for cutting is different than just having a veggie garden. I just wanted to see what it was like and if I liked it and then I loved it — I got hooked.” By the second year, Karly was giving flower arrangements away to her friends and family when her husband joked that she should start charging money to pay for all the seeds and supplies. This year, Pleasant Valley Petals was born. Karly was putting together custom arrangements for clients and selling bouquets at farmer’s markets

PA RT Y P LA N N IN G | L IFE + CULTURE

“G row i ng f l owe rs for c ut t i ng i s d if fe re nt th a n j u st h a v i ng a veg gi e ga rd e n . I j u st wa nt ed t o s ee wh a t it wa s l i k e a n d if I l i k ed it a n d th e n I l oved it — I got h ook ed .”

CONTINUED >

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

“ I w a s l i k e , ‘ Wa i t , w h y d i d I b u y f l o w e r s? I h a v e f l o w e r s o u t s i d e .’ A n d I w a s l i k e , ‘ W h y d o n ' t I j u s t g r o w f l o w e r s? ’ B e c a u s e t h e y l o o k e d s o m u c h b e t t e r.”

Karly's son, Otto, 4 runs through her flower garden.

PA RT Y P LA N N IN G | L IFE + CULTURE

with flowers grown completely from her yard. She’s not just a florist but a gardener — she’s responsible for growing everything that eventually goes into the arrangements and loves that all her work is locally sourced and changes throughout the season. She much prefers it this way than some grocery-store bouquets. “They look perfect because [they’re] grown with tons of pesticides, and then they’re pumping them full of preservatives to ship them 20 hours from Colombia, up to America,” says Karly. She also says a lot of the labor practices on some foreign flower farms are suspicious, as some even use slave labor to grow flowers or pay workers as little as a penny a day. She says another benefit to buying local is it helps strengthen the native ecosystem and adds to the local biodiversity. If you’re looking to make your own arrangements for your holiday table or bring as a hostess gift, Karly has some great tips on making a bouquet with things that can be found in your own yard or even in a neighbor’s yard with permission. Karly recommends starting with greens and picking a color palette. She says to pay close attention to the tones in the greenery to help set the palette. “Say you wanted to use the blue spruce there — then you go for cooler colors,” advises Karly. “Say you’re going to use pine because you have a pine tree in your yard — make sure you go with a warmer tone like reds. If you know anything about the color wheel, you want to kind of keep it within the range of the color. Whatever color you’re starting with, choose a tone, and then work around that. Or if there’s a specific flower that you want to use, work around that tone. Keep it within the same hues and work around that because it can get overwhelming when you’re like, ‘Oh, I want to put this and I want to put this in,’ but a lot of things just aren’t going to go together.” By Thanksgiving, it can be hard to find flowers growing in our climate because so many die after the first frost. Karly says she loves using holly, which is easily found nearby. She also says dried grasses are easy to find and go with anything, as long as they stick to your color palette. When Karly feels stuck, she just goes outside. She even finds inspiration in weeds. “I just like to go walk around and see what’s out there and whatever I get inspired by,” says Karly. “Sometimes I’ll find a certain a particular flower and I’ll be like, ‘I want to use that.’ Okay — what will go with it?” If you’d like to order an arrangement from Karly, she sells holiday arrangements or makes custom bouquets. You can reach her at via email at Pleasantvalleypetals@yahoo.com or on Instagram at @pleasant_valley_petals.

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PA RT Y P LA N N IN G | L IFE + CULTURE

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Tour one or both of our campuses located in the heart of Gladstone, Missouri. Learn more at oakhilldayschool.org/admissions | 816.436.6228

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

Grace Under Fire Back in January, Hayley Crawford had just finished up a busy day with her food truck, Hayley’s Food Truck. Her day was spent serving pastries and coffee in Platte City and she had returned to her Weston home to clean and park the food truck in the shop next to her home. A single mom of three, she had a rare evening where all the kids went to bed easily and on time and she was looking forward to getting a full night’s sleep — something she didn’t often get. Unfortunately, it would not be a restful night. At 1:30 a.m., Hayley’s phone rang to a strange number. She ignored it and tried

to return to sleep, but then heard pounding on her front door. Outside was an Evergy employee. “He said our shop was on fire,” recalls Hayley. “I shot up and I’m like, “What?,” and then I run outside and come out my front door and then look down and I can see the red underneath [the walls of the shop.” The man had already called the fire department but Hayley was worried about a potential explosion, as her food truck was filled with gasoline and there was a large propane tank next to the shop. The Evergy

AFTER A FIRE TOOK HER LIVELIHOOD, HAYLEY CRAWFORD'S COMMUNITY STEPPED IN TO HELP

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

employee helped her load her three sleeping children and animals into her van, which they drove to the end of her driveway. Three local fire departments responded to the scene, working until 5:30 a.m. fighting the big, hot fire in the metal building. Hayley’s Food Truck — her livelihood, which she had launched just six months prior to provide for her children — was gone. Back in 2020, Hayley was a stay-at-home mom of two children. Though she wasn’t using her degree from culinary school professionally while raising her family, she always found ways to bake. “Once I started being a stay-at-home mom, I loved being a stay-at-home mom, and I felt like my calling was to be a mom, but I also desperately missed feeding people,” says Hayley. “That’s when I started the side hustle of cakes and pastries and then just having friends over for a playdate with brunch. But this was definitely always in the back of my mind.” But by 2021, Hayley had a newborn baby and was newly divorced. She was now faced with the task of providing for her three kids after years as a stay-at-home mom and started cobbling together odd jobs, like working at a window company and decorating cakes at Price Chopper. “When you have a newborn, they physically need me to survive so I didn’t have time to self-destruct,” says Hayley. “I let myself feel the feelings and have moments and stuff but really, it was just like, you have to keep going.” Hayley’s goal was to find something sustainable to provide for her kids that could also allow her to spend as much time with them as possible. The obvious answer — the one Hayley had always felt called to — was feeding people. But how? After researching a few different options, Hayley bought a food truck with the help of her mom, Susie Hochard and her stepfather, Alan. Hayley’s mother joked that the financial help she gave Hayley to start her business was an early inheritance. The food truck launched in July 2022 and the next few months were busy with festivals and

pop-ups where Hayley served breakfast, often wearing her baby Jolene strapped to her back. She specialized in pop tarts, breakfast burritos and coffee. Six months later, the food truck and the income it brought were gone, lost in the fire, along with the shop where it was stored where Hayley’s kids had celebrated all their birthdays. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Hayley had been living a rollercoaster for the last 18 months, and the life she had just rebuilt had just gone up in literal flames. But Hayley’s friends, family and her community weren’t going to let her hard work all end there. “Really after that, all of my intimate group of friends just rallied and showed up immediately,” says Hayley about the days after the fire. “And then one of my good friends, Sarah, decided to start the GoFundMe, and they were kind of all like, you know, you can’t say no, we’re just gonna do this.” Hayley’s friends and family stepped in to help. Her GoFundMe page started to gain traction within the community and soon, they had raised over $28,000 to help Hayley and her kids. Hayley was flabbergasted by the outpouring of support. While Hayley did have insurance on her business, the donated money is what kept Hayley’s family – which she was now the breadwinner of — afloat while she figured out her next steps. “It was just a relief, too, that I had some time to not worry for a minute because I felt like for basically a year and a half that’s all I’d been doing,” says Hayley. The money had a profound impact on Hayley, who is not one to ask for help easily. It was also an amazing lesson to show her kids about people showing up. “I tell my kids, you get to see firsthand what it is to be truly blessed by our neighbors and our family and our friends,” says Hayley. “So, you know, that was a life lesson — if a tragedy has to come, to be able to get to experience that firsthand and have my kids see that firsthand was pretty neat.” With room to breathe without worrying so much about income due to the donations, Hayley set to

“I tell my kids, you

get to see firsthand what it is to be

truly blessed by

our neighbors and

our family and our friends.” - Hayley.

CONTINUED >

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“Having the dining room full and people laughing and having important conversations — I'm a very privately emotional person, but it makes me really emotional and just really happy.”

work figuring out the next chapter — again. An opportunity came up in Weston, her hometown, in a space next to Green Grass Cattle Company and Mercantile off of 45 Highway. The space had formerly been a pizza shop and a bakery and the owners, Mary and Gary Haer, were so welcoming and supportive of Hayley opening a bakery next door to their store. It felt like the perfect fit.

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

Hayley’s Eatery opened in August — the next phase in Hayley’s journey feeding people. She serves breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday in a sweet café-like space full of tables, decorated with her kids’ art on the walls. She’ll be serving on Saturdays starting November 11 from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. While her menu changes with the seasons, her breakfast burritos and

biscuits and gravy are popular for breakfast, and she has sandwiches for lunch. She recently served an indulgent Elvis-style French toast complete with peanut butter, caramelized bananas and bacon, and they could only be described as decadent. After all Hayley’s been through, everything came full circle in a recent moment inside her restaurant. She’d been open just under a month and she looked out to a full dining room on a Friday morning and felt her heart overwhelmed with gratitude and love for her community.

“I got really teary on Friday here, “says Hayley. “It was really raining outside and the dining room was just full. Seeing that happen and having the dining room full and people laughing and having important conversations — I’m a very privately emotional person, but it makes me really emotional and just really happy. And then for my kids to be in it with me and see it and hopefully, them learning that we can still be joyful in hard times and that we can come out stronger as long as we work hard. Everyone has their things, but for us [it’s] keeping our focus on God and our community and each other.”

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

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Saluting Success A ROUND-UP OF VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN HONOR OF VETERAN'S DAY ARTICLE BY GILBERT RANDOLPH PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

If you’re looking to shop local while supporting veteran-owned businesses this Veteran’s Day, this is the list for you! Here are a few of our favorite spots in KC’s Northland that are owned by former military service members.

1. FITTI’S ESPRESSO 7612 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City facebook.com/fittisespresso Located behind LC’s Hamburgers, Fitti’s offers all the classic morning pick-me-ups you’d expect, plus fresh pastries and breakfast goodies! Don’t forget to try their shaved ice. Fitti’s also hosts events such as yoga meetups and networking opportunities for community entrepreneurs. Whether you’re looking to grab something quick or to stay and sip, you need to add Fitti’s to your morning routine.

H OM E TOWN H E R O | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Fitti's Espresso. Photo courtesy of Fitti's

2. KC CATTLE COMPANY 110 Main Street, Parkville kccattlecompany.com KC Cattle Company has quickly established itself as the Wagyu specialists in Kansas City. In fact, their Wagyu hotdogs were rated by Food and Wine magazine as the best hotdogs in the country! If hotdogs aren’t your thing, don’t worry. They have a broad selection of locally raised beef products, as well as pasture-raised chicken and pork. If you want to give the gift of high-quality protein, they offer a subscription service, corporate gift packages, and have a robust online store. Don’t forget to check out their blog and recipe section for your next favorite meal preparation! You can check out their storefront in Parkville or order online — they have $5 home delivery for the Kansas City area.

3. ROKC 1501 Howell Street, North Kansas City climbkc.com If you’re looking for a great climbing gym, RoKC has locations in Olathe, Kansas City, and North Kansas City! You’ll find a variety of climbing opportunities, from beginner to advanced. RoKC offers private events for your next birthday bash and also hosts community-wide climbing events! You can also receive training on belay certification or climbing techniques.

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KC Cattle Company NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

4. CALL SIGN BREWERY 1340 Burlington Street, North Kansas City callsignbrewing.com Call Sign Brewery started in the garage of the founders Steve Sirois and Morris Loncon. Their beers are named to honor the call signs of fallen aircraft and they are active in raising support for military veterans. Their tap room, which recently relocated to a larger building in North Kansas City, features regular offerings, such as their Freedom Lager, Bomber Brown Ale, and Jolly Hazy IPA, as well as rotating seasonal and small-batch beers. Stop in every Thursday for trivia and check out their website for more local events, such as comedy nights!

Call Sign Brewery

Mad Potter Studio. Photo courtesy of Mad Potter.

5. MAD POTTER STUDIO 525 Main St, Weston mad-potter-studio.square.site Next time you’re in Weston, make sure you stop by the Mad Potter pottery studio, tucked just off of Main Street in Weston. Featuring a wide variety of ceramics, Mad Potter is a great place to find a unique, locally made craft. If you can’t make it to Weston, Mad Potter has many of their offerings for sale online.

H OM E TOWN H E R O | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

6. FIZZOLINO TAP TRUCK kcfizzolino.com

Though it’s a mobile business, this little tap truck was purchased in Italy by a Northland couple who were stationed overseas with the U.S. Army. They renovated their 1997 Piaggio Ape into a mobile bartending truck and now rent it out for private parties and events. They love to tap Prosecco on Fizzolino — their favorite Italian drink — but also serve local beers, craft cocktails and other fun drinks so even kids can enjoy! Check them out if you’ve got a party coming up!

Fizzolino Tap Truck. Photo by Samantha Holli Creative.

Fizzolino Tap Truck

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HEALING THE HEROES HEALING HEROIC HEROES AIMS TO RESCUE HEALTHCARE WORKERS FROM BURNOUT

ARTICLE BY DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH SCHREINER

S ELF CA R E | HEALTH + WE LLNE S S

A typical workday for Marshea Ross is 12 hours, mostly on her feet, managing a dozen or more struggling teenagers at the Crittenton Children’s Center in south Kansas City. It’s a physically demanding job where the 5-foot 2-inch, 110-pound Marshea often must restrain young people much larger than herself. And it’s an emotionally demanding job caring for those with depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. “I understand that I can’t help everyone, but I think kids need lots of love and support, and that’s what I try to provide,” Marshea says. It’s a tough job that naturally takes its toll on Marshea, no matter how much she loves her work.

Enter Dr. Brenton Hicks, DC, owner of More Life Chiropractic on Barry Road. He recognizes the important work that Marshea does, so much so that he calls her a hero. Two or three times a month, he evaluates Marshea and adjusts her spine to its most effective and natural position. And he does it for free. “This is one thing I can do to support the community,” Brenton says. “They take care of us, so it’s my honor to take care of them.” Marshea and Brenton connected through an organization called Healing Heroic Healers, a non-profit that provides frontline healthcare workers access to holistic wellness care that allows a respite from the physical and emotional demands of their jobs. The goal is to minimize burnout and depression that frequently overwhelms frontline workers. Karla Perez-Solorzano founded HHH and received the 501c3 status in July 2021. As a healthcare worker with several roles in the past 28 years, including EMT, she has firsthand experience in frontline healthcare, including all the physical, emotional, mental, and psychological demands. While the COVID pandemic placed a well-deserved spotlight on medical professionals, Karla believes the demands on frontline healthcare workers like Marshea and herself are not always recognized. Nor are they cared for properly to prevent burnout. “There are dozens of people in a healthcare setting who provide a variety of services, clearing the way for nurses and doctors to focus on performing their duties,” Karla says. CONTINUED >

Karla Perez-Solorzano, Dr. Brenton Hicks, and Marshea Ross

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“This wellness initiative is to keep them going and show them that they are valued and appreciated.” Refresh, refuel, and rebalance are the terms she chooses in providing a natural, holistic method to recover from physical pain, compassion fatigue, and other stressors of frontline work. The organization defines frontline healthcare “heroes” as those who work as a CNA, EMT B, ER tech, firefighter, paramedic, patient care tech, patient care associate, behavior health tech, or military first responder. Brenton saw his first hero patient in March and since then has seen about 20 patients a month. Other service providers include a gym that offers jiu-jitsu classes and a spa that provides massages, facials, yoga classes, and a sauna, among other opportunities. Prior to connecting with Healing Heroic Healers, Marshea struggled with insomnia and back pain. Since she began seeing Dr. Brenton two or three times a month, she says she sleeps better and feels more rested when she wakes. Community outreach is another aspect of the program. Healing Heroic Healers coordinates CPR classes and first aid classes for the public, particularly in neighborhoods where such services

S ELF CA R E | HEALTH + WE LLNE S S

are lacking. Research indicates Black and Hispanic households are the least trained in CPR and first aid. Such training directly impacts the number of calls and the stress on frontline healthcare workers who respond to these needs. Karla has been able to begin this process and coordinate services because of financial support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Health Forward Foundation, and the Synchrony Health Foundation. But to grow, she needs additional contributions from the public who are thankful and appreciative of the work of frontline healthcare workers. The organization needs individuals to help grow awareness through marketing, community outreach, and social media. If you have skills and time to contribute, or if you are a business owner who might provide a service, Karla would love to collaborate with you. And if you are a frontline healthcare worker, first of all, thank you. If the physical and emotional demands of your work are taking a toll, reach out to Healing Heroic Healers. We need you to take care of yourself. Your work is valuable and appreciated. You are a hero.

If you’d like to support Healing Heroic Healers this Giving Tuesday and holiday season, you can find more information at heroichealers.org.

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events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. NOVEMBER 11TH

Weston Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Pool Season is Winding Down Come into Pepper’s for closing kits and winter covers. We can also complete the closing for you. Just call to schedule your closing. Pepper’s Pool and Spa, 6289 N Oak TRFY, Kansas City, 64118 816-216-1942

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EVE N TS

DOWNTOWN WESTON | 5:30 PM Shop in downtown Weston and feel the holiday spirit on the historic main street for Christmas. Take pictures with Santa and stay for the annual tree lighting ceremony. NOVEMBER 18TH-19 TH

Mistletowne Market

N O RT H K A N SAS C I T Y PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N FAC I L I T Y | 10:00 AM A unique two-day shopping event combining local holiday shopping, children’s activities, and festive entertainment. The perfect destination to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. Visit Saturday, November 18 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, November 19 from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information, visit artsinthepark.org . WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20 TH

Feel the Warmth

T H R O UG H O UT NO RT H KA NSAS C I T Y | 9 :0 0 A M During the week of November 20, anyone who needs a little extra warmth for the winter season will be able to find hats, scarves, and gloves available on the fence line of NKC parks. Donations of scarves, hats, and gloves will be collected until Friday, November 10. Donations can be dropped off at the North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Center.

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Holiday Lighting A German Christmas!

DOWNTOWN PLATTE CITY | 5 : 3 0 PM Visit downtown Platte City for a festive holiday tree lighting and classic German traditions. N OV E M BE R 2 3 RD

Liberty Giving Thanks 5K

L IBE RTY CO M MUN ITY CEN TER | 9: 0 0 AM The Liberty Giving Thanks 5K is a family-friendly road/paved trail course that begins and ends at the Liberty Community Center. The race offers a fun atmosphere, great finisher medals, and a low entry fee. All proceeds from this event benefit Hillcrest Hope by raising awareness and funds to support its mission to transition homeless families to self-sufficiency.

s i d l i h c y r e v e e r e Wh d n i k a f one-o

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Small Business Saturday

DOWNTOWN PARKVILLE | 9:00 AM Join us in historic downtown Parkville to shop local and celebrate our small businesses! Win gift cards to the places you love to shop and dine. Pick up your passport at a participating business or at our Shop Small Tent and fill it with stamps when you make a purchase at your favorite local businesses in downtown Parkville. D E C E M BE R 2 N D - 3RD

Historic Candlelight Homes Tour

DOWNTOWN WESTON | 2:00 PM Tour historic Weston homes decked out for the holidays during the Historic Candlelight Homes Tour. To get more information or buy tickets, visit westonmo.com

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New Hope

Montessori School Love · Learn · Grow We provide a positive & nurturing environment for children from birth to third grade. Now Accepting Teaching Applications 816.326.8878 | NewHopeMontessoriSchool.com 4166 NW Barry Rd, KCMO 64154 NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

Gather Set t ing th e Fa l l Tabl e

The Traditional Table Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or an autumn dinner party, setting a festive table creates the perfect cozy atmosphere. Improvise and use what you have around the house for adding elements to the table.

For this classic, traditional look, a plaid throw blanket stands in for a tablecloth to establish a festive base layer. Brass candlesticks with brown taper candles create a simple and elegant centerpiece. Use familiar accents such as amber jars filled with dried grass foliage and brass pheasants to adorn the table. To add a little character to the table, use a recycled wine bottle as a vase. The simple place setting is enhanced with a dried grass accent and brown silk ribbon tied into a bow to add a special touch to your traditional display.

The Fall Garden Party Table Are you planning to dine al fresco this fall? Create an earthy, fall garden party on the porch by using natural, organic elements, greenery and flowers. To make a statement, create a floral chandelier by hanging flowers upside down above the table using fishing wire (if your space allows). The centerpiece that runs down the length of this table consists of fresh eucalyptus with gold candlesticks and a ceramic pumpkin vase filled with flowers placed on top of a tree trunk charger. Adding small pumpkins and fresh flowers along the center gives a little extra character. Instead of going with the classic white plate, enjoy a pop of color at your outdoor fall garden party with a blue place setting as a nod to the sky.

The French Country Table PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

S EASON A L SE T U P S | L IFE + CULTURE

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

Rustic yet elegant, this tablescape combines the love of traditional, vintage and natural elements with an updated twist. The Spode Woodland Collection transferware designs are rooted in proper hunting tradition. The fawn table runner mimicking deer spots brings an earthy, yet elevated foundation as the base for this table setting. Coordinating fawn napkins wrapped with twine and topped with natural feathers creates a whimsical touch. The stunning centerpiece starts with a vintage silver water pitcher that is then filled with fresh, sweet arrowwood Viburnums leaves. To complete the look, pair crystal glasses with vintage crystal stemware.

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*Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made October 1- December 5, 2023 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. A qualifying purchase is deﬁned as a purchase of any of the product models set forth above in the quantities set forth above. If you purchase less than the speciﬁed quantity, you will not be entitled to a rebate. Rebate will be issued in the form of a Virtual Reward Card and emailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim approval. Subject to applicable law, a $3.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 12 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. See complete terms distributed with Virtual Reward Card. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2023 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.