Northland, MO June 2023

OPENING THE VINYL VAULT:

Vintage music technology is seeing a resurgence

FOOD + BEVERAGE WHY A FACEBOOK GROUP IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES FOR RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE NORTHLAND

Inside the guy's issue

I’m a boy mom. I have two young boys, and this month, a little stumped for content, I asked them both what I should write about in this month’s magazine since it’s our annual men’s issue.

“Dinosaurs!” said one. “Undersea creatures!” said the other. “Bugs!” said the first.

It shouldn’t be surprising. Our life is pretty full of facts about triceratops, whales, and spiders these days (did you know a blue whale’s heart is as big as a motorcycle?). Though, sorry boys, I’m a little short on dinosaur content in this month’s issue — might be an idea for next year.

So, while there are no undersea creatures in this month’s magazine, we’ve got plenty of other interesting stories! Our cover story was inspired by another son — this time, writer Tiffany Killoren’s teenager, Max, who, like many teenagers before him, discovered something new to him but old to us adults — vinyl. Tiffany let her teenager’s new discovery inspire a trend piece about records this month and even took them both to a local record store!

We also interviewed Carl Sorensen, who launched a local Facebook group, KC Northland Eateries, which is currently one of my favorite places on the internet and is definitely the reason for my increase in baked goods consumption. I had a great coffee date with Carl a few weeks back at Fitti’s Espresso — of course, a locally-owned coffee shop — and sort of fangirled with him about his group and how it got its start. If you’re a social media user, definitely check it out.

And, of course, our resident outdoor recreation writer, Gilbert Randolph, gives us the lowdown on public land in this month’s issue. While this may seem like a dry topic, public land is actually hugely important for those who want to get outside to bike, fish, or camp but may not have the property or the neighborhood that supports that. I definitely learned a thing or two from Gilbert’s article — which happens just about every time he writes for us!

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue and the warmer days of the season. As always — until next month!

June 2023

PUBLISHER

Jeron Traphagan | jeron.traphagan@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Katie Currid | katie.currid@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Allison Swan | allison.swan@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Katie Currid, Tiffany Killoren, Christie Nordmeyer, Gilbert Randolph,

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Katie Currid, Gilbert Randolph, Hannah Schreiner, Carl Sorensen

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 Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Liberty Hospital Women’s Health

You’re always there for others, so we’re here for you with convenient care that fits your unique lifestyle and health needs. Through our comprehensive women’s health services, we deliver a premier patient experience across every age and phase of life. We know how vital you are to those around you, and we’re proud to be your partner for a lifetime of good health.

libertyhospital.org/womenshealth

When you’re healthy, everyone benefits.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @northlandcitylifestyle

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Third Street Social Expanding North to Metro North Crossing Development

Restauranteurs Andy Lock and Domhnall Molloy announce another expansion to the Northland with a third location of their Third Street Social restaurant as an anchor tenant of the $250 million mixed-use Metro North Crossing Development. A late fall 2023 opening is planned.  Third Street Social will occupy 7,000 square-foot space as the anchor of Woodstone, the $60 million luxury apartment and mixed-use project within Metro North Crossing completed in late 2022.

A new spot to browse bestsellers and in-demand reads

North Kansas City Public Library is excited to offer Xpress Titles, a new (and additional!) spot to find current bestsellers and in-demand reads from some of your favorite authors. Xpress Titles check out for 10 days and are not renewable or holdable. What does this mean? More books and speedier circ times. Fast turnarounds mean shorter wait times for you when it comes to new and popular titles!

Liberty Hospital to Explore Health System Partnerships

Liberty Hospital has announced plans to evaluate health system partnership opportunities. The hospital will soon be reaching out to a select group of more than 30 local, regional, and national health systems to begin discussions around common goals and a collaborative vision for growth. The independent hospital enters this process from a position of financial and organizational strength, allowing it to explore all options to support expanding services to care for the growing Northland.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Northland

12

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Having a guys’ night out or planning a date? Struggling to come up with a plan? Look no further and go with any one of these local experiences to help guide your evening. These are my favorite places to eat in the Northland!

AVALON CAFE: Celebrating 30 years this year, the food is the only thing that overshadows the breathtaking view of downtown Weston. Great spot for a date night! 608 Main Street, Weston, Missouri 64098

PIZZA TASCIO: Get yourself a New York-style slice! Best pizza in all of Kansas City! 1111 Burlington Street, North Kansas City, Missouri 64116

AL'S BAR & GRILL: Great place to watch the game. Best wings in the Northland, and a great place for a guys' night. 10911 MO-45 Highway, Parkville, Missouri 64152

URBAN STREET TAQUERIA: This hidden gem is a little taco truck that parks at a gas station. Incredible, yet simple, tacos with great queso! 1500 Branch Street, Platte City, Missouri 64079

RIVERWOOD WINERY: The perfect spot to hang with friends or take a date. Great drinks and food. Catch some live music, including talented local artist, Noah Anthony! 22200 Missouri 45 Rushville, MO

Avalon Cafe

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

I’m not originally from North of the River, but I’m a happy transplant. When I met my wife nearly 10 years ago, she introduced me to her neck of the woods and I’ve enjoyed seeing what the Northland has to offer. We’ve since settled in her hometown of Weston and are raising two children with another due this fall. I’ve discovered a passion for cooking and trying new foods in my free time. Give my Instagram a follow to check out my cooking! As much as I love to be in my kitchen, I equally love to explore local cuisine.

OPENING THE VINYL VAULT

Music, Trends and Nostalgic Throwbacks

I still have my jewelry Caboodle from the 1980s. It’s like a bright pink tackle box of nostalgia in my storeroom, earrings and bracelets from the decade still secure in their little compartments in wait for the opportunity to shine again. There’s a reason those of us who lived during the (arguably) best decade live with one foot still in yesteryear. It was fun. And colorful.

Clothes were expressive and dance moves impressive. And, then there was the music.

I was born in the ‘70s and grew up with our musical library displayed in their carboard LP sleeve covers on the shelf above our record player. Neil Diamond and Glenn Campbell were friends there, alongside Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler record and Elvis’s

Live from Hawaii recording that greeted us with his floral lei. So, imagine my surprise when my 16-year-old son, Max, developed an interest in vintage vinyl, leafing through rows of records in search of…. what exactly?

The Beastie Boys Rocky soundtrack. The Beatles Come again?

Those of us who were glued to the Grammy’s in anticipation of Madonna and Prince performances are now watching in disbelief as a new generation embraces records, Birkenstocks and Doc Martens as though archaeological discoveries attributable to a generation who were introduced to Rick Astley tunes on Tik Tok. And when they discuss these amazing things in life, we respond, “Um, yeah. We know.”

While some of us might be taken aback by this renewed interest in vinyl, Faron Meek, owner of FM Music Vintage Sounds in North Kansas City is not surprised at all. “They’ve heard music their parents and grandparents have played,” Faron says. “The Beatles and Pink Floyd are timeless. Great music is timeless.”

Step into Faron’s shop and you’ll understand why he has loyal and regular customers. The cozy space is filled with memories that take us back to when Steven Van Zandt hadn’t yet met Silvio from The Sopranos and Pink Floyd’s album covers were considered art themselves. Although new music is always a draw, there are some bands that speak to all generations. Faron says Fleetwood Mac sells to all ages and he has a teenage customer who is an America fan and always on the lookout for their music in all types of formats.

“There’s a young guy who comes in to buy Sinatra and Dean Martin,” Faron says. “It’s awesome to see what they come in looking for.”

“It’s the collecting part that separates it from other types of music,” my son Max explains. “You can build up a collection rather than have a playlist on your phone. The vinyl record sound feels more real in a way,” he says. “Vinyl played on a turntable creates more of a presence than digital music or through headphones.”

Dave Fore understands that realness on a different level. A Missouri native, Fore is a multi-Billboard charting Mastering Engineer with a gold record hanging on his wall. As a sound expert relied upon to vote on Grammy recipients, he can speak to the nuances of sound that 16-year-olds can appreciate, but not articulate.

“Vinyl is an analog format that captures and reproduces every detail of the music, true to the original waveforms that were recorded in the studio,” Dave explains. “During the mastering process, dynamics are left to sound more natural. This could be described as more real sounding, but also, vinyl has a subjectively warmer sound and is one of the characteristics that defines the format, often being easier on the ears than digital audio.”

“I think music really tells you something more about a person than any other entertainment does because you can look at someone’s music taste and learn about who they are as a person.”

-Max

According to Billboard, vinyl albums outsold CDs in 2022 for the second year in a row, although only half of respondents reported owning a record player. So, what are they doing with them? Well, my son owns a record player, but his interest in vinyl is both for the music and décor factors, an ever-growing album wall a prominent feature in his room.

“I like to display things in my room that say something about me,” Max says. “I have movie posters, sports items, a travel map and records on my wall. I think music really tells you something more about a person than any other entertainment does because you can look at someone’s music taste and learn about who they are as a person.”

“Listening to an album on vinyl is very intentional and requires some dedication of time to consume the project as a whole,” Dave says. “It has value where streaming a song does not. And humans love to collect things.”

So, if you’re looking for a way to connect with your teenagers, take them to a vintage vinyl store. Talk about music and what resonates with them, sharing stories about your first concert or records that meant something to you.

Teenagers. They’re just like us…at least when it comes to vinyl.

YOU WALK INTO A VINTAGE VINYL STORE AND PICK OUT A RECORD. WHICH RECORD IS IT AND WHY?

MAX: “I like to listen to some rap and indie pop. I really like Mac DeMarco, Mac Miller, The Beatles, Beastie Boys and Tyler the Creator.”

FARON MEEK: “Steve, Bob & Rich – Balls. Rare Kansas City band self-release before becoming The Rainmakers. Great album!”

DAVE FORE: “Without a doubt, Steely Dan’s Aja album. That record to this day is considered to be one of the best produced, best performed and best recorded/engineered pieces of music of all time.”

This Land is Your Land

National parks and outdoor recreation are often associated with the American West, but did you know Missouri has millions of acres of public land? Not only does Missouri have rich natural resources to enjoy, but much of it can also be experienced for free or at very little cost. We’ll look at five types of public land in Missouri and what sorts of activities they are geared towards so that you can find your next adventure!

STATE PARKS

The first state park in Missouri, Big Spring State Park, was established in 1924. The State Park system keeps some of Missouri’s most iconic natural landmarks open to the public, from Ha Ha Tonka State Park to Elephant Rock State Park. Missouri State Parks tend to be geared towards camping, hiking, RV sites, nature watching, and fishing. Numerous Missouri State Parks offer cabin rentals, as

MISSOURI HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF PUBLIC LAND TO ENJOY — HERE'S HOW TO NAVIGATE IT

well as kayak rentals for paddling. They tend to be very beginner friendly, so if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of outdoor recreation, a state park is a great place to start your journey!

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AREAS

Equally as historic as the state park system is the Missouri Department of Conservation. Established by the citizens of Missouri to preserve wildlife and access to hunting and fishing, the MDC manages over 1,000 conservation areas and offers hundreds of events throughout the year to teach outdoor skills, ecology, and more. Fun fact: Missouri is one of the few states in the U.S. whose conservation department is funded through sales tax dollars, instead of solely through hunting and fishing licenses.

MDC Conservation Areas are focused on maintaining rich, biodiverse ecosystems and maintaining public access for hunting, angling, and trapping. Whether you’re looking to hunt whitetail deer, catch a once-in-a-lifetime catfish, or spend a winter morning chasing waterfowl, the MDC has a huge variety of conservation areas, both large and small for you to explore.

These areas vary in their accessibility, but they tend to favor more undisturbed management with fewer trails. If you’re looking for a truly wild experience in nature, they are a great place to start. As with all these areas, hunting and fishing require licenses, which can be purchased online. Don’t worry though — for Missouri residents, license costs are very affordable. If you have any questions regarding regulations or how to obtain a license, you can contact your local MDC regional office for more information.

The MDC also manages shooting ranges where you can practice firearms handling in a safe, professional environment. They also offer archery ranges throughout the Kansas City metro where you can hone your skills in a natural environment.

COUNTY PARKS

The Kansas City Region has a number of high-quality parks to explore. The Blue River trail system in South Kansas City has a massive network of mountain bike trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. There’s also ample fishing and boating access through the Clay, Platte, and Jackson County parks systems. Most of the major reservoirs in Kansas City have swim beaches where you can spend your summer in the sun.

While county parks tend to favor hiking, biking, and fishing, they also often feature tent campsites, as well as RV sites. There are also opportunities to archery hunt for deer through specially managed hunts, which give access to local communities to hunt close to home while managing urban deer populations.

NATIONAL FORESTS

If you’re looking to really escape, a National Forest may be the place for you. The Mark Twain National Forest spans a stunning 1.5 million acres of public land. Much of it allows for dispersed camping, hunting, fishing, foraging, and more. It’s primarily centered in the Ozark region of Missouri. This rugged terrain can be as tough as it is beautiful, so if you choose to adventure off the trail, be prepared.

At the turn of the 20th century, much of Missouri’s now-iconic wildlife had been almost completely extirpated, primarily through poor land use. The white oak forests and deep Ozark hollers the public can now enjoy were made possible through decades of intentional management. You don’t need to go to the Rocky Mountains for a real mountaintop experience.

National forests favor primitive-style camping, hunting, angling, and hiking. There is little to no infrastructure and that’s an intentional choice. You may need a 4x4 vehicle to access parts of this land system, so do a little research beforehand!

“In every season and every part of the state, there is public land waiting to be explored. Get out there and do it!”

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

A less-known part of the public land system in Missouri is Army Corps of Engineers Land. Much of these areas are centered around Missouri’s Reservoirs, lakes, and streams, places that are managed for flood control and recreation. Your recreational opportunities on Army Corps land

are highly diverse. They offer campgrounds, boat ramps, waterfowl hunting, trails, and more. Large portions of Truman Reservoir, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Taneycomo, Smithfield Lake, and other major reservoirs in Missouri are managed at least in part by the Army Corps of Engineers. There are activities for people of all skill levels to be had.

“Not only does Missouri have rich natural resources to enjoy, but much of it can also be experienced for free or at very little cost.”

A FEW MORE TIPS

These five public land types are not the only places to recreate in Missouri. The US Fish and Wildlife Service maintains several public use areas and many cities and municipalities have public land you can explore as well. Google Maps, onX, and the GIS maps on governmental agency sites can be great ways to learn more about the public land near you.

It’s also important to be aware of the intended uses for the places you recreate. Some areas do not allow camping or bikes and if you’re foraging, most public land prohibits the sale of wild

mushrooms, plants, or animals taken from those areas. If an area allows hunting, avoid hiking or biking in it during peak hunting seasons. Also, be sure to safely extinguish campfires in areas where they are allowed. Sometimes property boundaries can be difficult to distinguish, so make sure you’re aware of the public/private boundaries in an area so that you are not unintentionally trespassing, especially if you are hunting, foraging, camping, or fishing.

Every Missourian has the right to enjoy nature! In every season and every part of the state, there is public land waiting to be explored. Get out there and do it!

“Every Missourian has the right to enjoy nature!”

Eatin' Good

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

THIS FACEBOOK GROUP HAS SOME OF THE BEST RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS IN ALL OF KC

Going out to eat can feel overwhelming at times. There’s the price point, the drive time, and don’t even get me started on actually agreeing with your dining partners on what it is you all want to eat.

Now there’s a group on Facebook that’s sole purpose is to share reviews of Northland restaurants. Though, if I’m being honest, the list of places I want to eat is now longer and I’m not sure it’s made the decision on where to eat any easier!

BY KATIE

But it’s the first place I check when I’m searching for a new place to go.

The Facebook group is called KC Northland Eateries and it was started by Carl Sorensen. At the age of 72, Carl probably isn’t the first person you’d imagine running an internet community with over 10,000 members, but Carl has long been an early adopter of technology.

Carl started the group only 6 months ago, and it’s exploded since. He was a longtime member and frequent poster in a similar group, Kansas City Eats , which also shares restaurant recommendations, though for all of Kansas City. However, as a Northlander, he noticed more and more of the recommendations were moving further and further south, focusing on areas south of Brookside and primarily in Johnson County. Since many of those places were over a 30-minute drive for him, he wanted a place to discuss Northland restaurants and realized that if anyone was going to start it, it was going to be him.

“I think there are some people up here, too, that don’t believe that the Northland has the entertainment that they have south of the river and I disagree with that strongly,” says Carl. “I think the local restaurants we have up here are really, really good. I mean, I worked downtown, and I ate downtown for years. And they’ve gotten really good from downtown. But we have really good food up here.”

Carl is a frequent reviewer in his own group, and his reviews have a certain style to them. He loves setting the scene in restaurants, describing the weather and the ambiance, and then delving into a detailed description of his meal. When he’s had a particularly good meal, he typically ends it with something along the lines of, “My meal did not last long at all! Well done, well done indeed! An evening meal and life is good!” They are truly a joy to read — restaurant prose, full of praise.

As with most Facebook groups, there are rules, and one of the most important ones in Northland Eateries is that reviews must be positive. Carl thinks the restaurant industry has had a rough few years, taking hard hits with the pandemic and also inflation, and he doesn’t want a group that hurts them

further but shares the good places to go. He says, sure, he’s had some bad meals, and he just doesn’t write about them.

A lifelong bachelor, and now a retiree on a fixed income, he looks forward to going out to eat as a way to treat himself. He eats out twice a week and says he makes one an “easy” meal and one a “nice” meal. So he usually has plenty of fodder for his reviews.

Carl has actually been reviewing restaurants as a hobby for many years. He started writing reviews on Yelp and Google in 2015. Early reviews he remembers writing are ones about one of his favorite restaurants, BC Bistro when they first opened.

And, yes, he has written a bad review before — once, on Yelp. And he regretted it immediately. But the positive reviews he’s put out there since seem to more than make up for it.

Carl’s restaurant order varies. He doesn’t usually like to order things he can make himself at home (he says he makes a very good burger and a mean bolognese), but he almost always washes his meal down with an ice-cold beer.

“Somebody once asked me, ‘What’s the best beer you ever drank?’ And I answered them, ‘The one I’m currently drinking,’” says Carl. “And you can almost say that with food, too. Because if you are at a restaurant that does a really good job, it doesn’t matter what it is. They will put it on your plate and it will taste good.”

If you’re stumped on the next place to go for a night out, or maybe you need a specific recommendation for where to find the thing it is you’re craving — KC Northland Eateries should be your first stop. The positive community it creates there is a wonderful and rare place to find on the internet, and it’s a great celebration of our community and the talented people who work to feed us.

Well done, Carl. Well done, indeed!

SOME OF CARL’S FAVORITE NORTHLAND RESTAURANTS:

• Aroma Bistro, 14121 Earthworks Drive, Smithville

• Scott’s Kitchen, 11920 N Ambassador Drive, Kansas City

• BC Bistro, 7749 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City

• Chappell’s, 323 Armour Road, Kansas City

• District Biskuits, 504 Armour Road, North Kansas City

• KoZak’s Laketown Grill, 1018 US-169, Smithville

• Trezo Mare, 4105 N Mulberry Drive, Kansas City

The Epic Expedition

A few ideas for the ultimate guys' getaway

We know that ladies love their girls’ trips, evidenced by the number of companies rallying around this trend. But what about the guys’ getaway?  We understand that they need a little adventure in their lives too, but it’s often hard to think beyond a cabin rental fishing trip or a weekend in Vegas like a scene out of The Hangover. As it turns out, there is so much more to explore in this world and so many ways to turn a standard “boys’ trip” into something for the record books. Planning that perfect escape shouldn’t be tiresome, so we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. We’ve scoured the globe to bring you three epic options that

everyone in the office will be talking about around the water cooler for weeks to come when you return.

THE GREENLAND EXPLORER

For the adventure enthusiasts, set your sights on 11 days of unparalleled glacier and fjord exploration. Leaders in arctic travel, Quark Expeditions will take your journey to the next level with two twin-engine helicopters on their state-of-the-art latest ship, the Ultramarine. Whether you want to take it easy or max out your adrenaline, your level of immersion is entirely up to you!

While you’ll sail through some of Greenland’s most majestic areas, the addition of the choppers allows you to reach unchartered territories and venture where others can’t. Get up close and personal with the Northern Lights from an exceptional vantage point. Or set foot on the second largest ice mass in the world, the Greenland Ice Sheet. And if you are craving even more, feel free to try your feet at heli-hiking. Now, if that doesn’t say bucket list opportunity, we don’t know what will.

Best time to travel: March & April

HAVANA & BEYOND: THE CUBAN EXPERIENCE

To say Cuba is an interesting place is an understatement. Rich in culture and heritage and known around the world for their superior cigars, this experience is almost a requirement for the truly travel-minded man. Imagine yourself immersed in an array of culturally relevant activities. Setting your sights on Old Havana, inhaling the deeply steeped tradition here.

Whether it’s architecture you want to see, cigars you want to smoke, obscure cities you want to explore, traditions you want to learn, wines you’d like to swirl, or incredible sunsets you’d like to see, Cuba has it all, and then some.

Best time to Travel: January & February (before it gets too hot and wet)

THE TANZANIA TREK

If Cuba and Greenland aren’t quite far enough, consider a trek through Tanzania. This African nation is anything but a onetrick pony, curating experiences based on

your interests. Of course, an African safari is a popular choice that you really can’t go wrong with. Try scaling a mountain or test your fitness levels with a long-distance bike tour.

It turns out, the accommodations range as wide as the activities to do. Whether you choose to hang your hat in a 5-star luxury hotel or be one with nature in a tent sleeping alongside the animals, this adventure is yours! With Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater, there is no shortage of spectacular sights to see. If you are looking to go on a safari, try calving season when every animal species in the central Serengeti is having babies. That is where the migration happens to be at that time — late December, January, February, or early March are the months to go! The Mara River crossing season is from late June through early September.

Keep in mind, these options are just the tip of the iceberg. Our ultimate aspiration is to connect you to the most epic places and scenic spaces around the globe and ensure that your sojourn is nothing short of spectacular.

If one of these ideas sparks wanderlust in you, or you have something else in mind and just need help piecing the logistical puzzle together, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Travel Unrivaled

Info@TravelUnrivaled.com

816-520-4843

Check us out at TravelUnrivaled.com for more inspiration or simply to fuel your sense of adventure!

“There is so much more to explore in this world and so many ways to turn a standard “boys’ trip” into something for the record books.”

events

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

JUNE 9TH-10TH

Arts in the Park

MACKEN PARK IN NORTH KANSAS CITY | 5:00 PM

Arts in the Park is a fine art and maker festival showcasing Midwest artists. Arts in the Park also showcases music on the main stage, a children's area, local food, beer, and wine. The festival will be held from 5 pm to 10 pm on Friday and 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday. Find more information at artsinthepark.org .

JUNE 9TH

Friday Night Concert: Dropkick Mollies and Selekto

MACKEN PARK | 5:30 PM

Friday Night Concert is a Summer Concert Series on the second Friday of the month, May through September from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets and join us at the Festival Shelter in Macken Park to sit back, relax, and listen to live music.

JUNE 10TH

Excelsior Springs Wine Festival

EAST VALLEY PARK IN EXCELSIOR SPRINGS | 3:00 PM

Whether you are a seasoned wineaux or still figuring out the difference between Moscato and Merlot, this wine tasting event is for you!  You’ll have the opportunity to sample over 85 wines from 20 different Missouri wineries, and meet with

"We have loved working with Solar Shield. They made the entire process seamless and easy. Great at communicating what will be happening when and being punctual! Highly recommend!"

--Tamara Day Tamara Day , Host of Bargain Mansions , Host of Bargain Mansions

the owners who have made Missouri famous in the American Wine Market. Find more information at visitexcelsior.com .

JUNE 16TH

Friday in the Park

MACKEN PARK | 11:30 AM

Enjoy a Friday afternoon in the park listening to local Hawaiian music performers Hula-Hale 'O Kiakahi in cooperation with the Music Performance Trust Fund, Local 34-627. Free and open to the public.

JUNE 17TH

Weston’s Third Annual Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee

BEE CREEK SHELTER AT WESTON BEND STATE PARK | 10:00 AM

The Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign of Weston, Missouri is pleased to announce the third annual Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee commemoration, free and open to the public. Host Angela Hagenbach will lead the festivities from 10 am to noon, followed by a free barbecue luncheon sponsored by the Weston Rotary and live Kansas City jazz until 2 p.m.

JUNE 21ST

Make Music Day

THROUGHOUT LIBERTY | 10:00 AM

Make Music Liberty is a free, live musical celebration. The Liberty Arts Commission has coordinated concerts across Liberty, MO in parks, retailers, and along sidewalks for all to enjoy. It is a live, free musical celebration on the longest day of the year, with concerts across Liberty, MO. For more information, visit makemusicliberty.org

For over 75 years, Oakhill Day School has provided the Kansas City Northland with student-first academic offerings that fit every family's needs. Experience firsthand the variety of options that Oakhill can provide for your family. Whether you need an early childhood program for your child's first years of school, well-rounded K-8 academics, or flexibility for your busy high school student, we will help you find YOUR perfect fit.

Academics from infancy to adulthood

On-site learning & social-emotional support for students

Dedicated teaching staff

A close-knit community with a family feel

It’s Pool Season

JUNE 23RD-24TH

Waterfest DOWNTOWN

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

The Waterfest Celebration is an annual event that celebrates the city’s mineral water heritage with a weekend full of music, activities, food and fun!

On Saturday, join us downtown for the Annual Pancake Breakfast followed by a Parade featuring floats, celebrities, vintage cars, bands, and dancing troupes. This is just a small taste of what Waterfest is like!

JUNE 23RD

Movie in the Park:

Turning Red

MACKEN PARK | 9:00 PM

A fun time for the whole family! Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and enjoy some fresh air with a movie, Turning Red, in the park. Movies will start at dusk next to the Festival Shelter in Macken Park. Free and open to the public.

JUNE 24TH

Cheers to Cheese

GREEN DIRT FARM | 3:00 PM

This is a one-of-a-kind cheese and beer pairing festival featuring breweries, cheesemakers and purveyors from around the region. We’re pairing your favorite breweries with a creamery or cheese shop to create the best beer and cheese bite imaginable. The pairings will be presented to a panel of judges and you to decide who created the tastiest bite.

JULY 4TH

Fourth of July fireworks

MAIN STREET IN WESTON |

7:00 PM

Spend the holiday in downtown Weston with live music and free fireworks on Main Street.

HEATING AND COOLING SINCE 1948

GET SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

JULY 4TH

4th of July Flag Football Tournament

RISING STAR PARK IN PLATTE CITY | 10:00 AM

Gather your work friends, your neighborhood buddies, or your family members and sign up for this free community event! Teams can have as many members as you'd like, with five on the field per team at a time. Ages 13 and up. Registration closes June 30 at noon. Find more info at plattecitymo.com

JULY 4TH

Fourth of July in Parkville

DOWNTOWN PARKVILLE | 10:00 AM

Parkville’s traditional salute to Independence Day includes a pancake breakfast, a community parade at 10 a.m., food, fun, shopping, kids activities, a skydiving exhibition, and our fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m.

Your family’s comfort is important to us here at Gladstone Furnace & A/C Co. That’s why we only install the very best Heating, Air Conditioning, and indoor air quality products available in Kansas City, MO. Our trained and seasoned staff is fully equipped to handle your HVAC equipment and indoor air comfort questions and needs.

(816) 452-0400 www.gfac1948.com

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