KC Options | 2013-2014

2013/2014 $4.95

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Need more information about life in Kansas City? Visit kccreativecrossroads.com4

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69

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MIS

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RI

291

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71

69

69

435

435

70

470

35

635

Overland ParkRegional

Medical Center

MenorahMedical Center


CenterpointMedical Center

LafayetteRegional

Health Center

Lee’s SummitMedical Center

Belton RegionalMedical Center

Nal

l Todd

Geo

rge

13 H

wy

Littl

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ue P

kwy

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BrooksideCampus

Accidents happen fast, quality ER care can too.

Belton Regional Medical Center Centerpoint Medical Center

Lafayette Regional Health Center Lee’s Summit Medical Center

Menorah Medical Center Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Research Medical Center Research Medical Center Brookside Campus

* Message and data rates may apply. For more information visit texterhelp.com. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

With eight ERs across the metro area, expert emergency care is

closer than you think.

Visit KCfastER.com to find current average ER wait times.

Text “ER” to 23000*to receive a text message with the average wait times of ERs closest to you.

Take your very own emergency room with you wherever you go. Download the free iTriage app.

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TO: 23000

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TABLE OFCONTENTS

Contributors8innovation and

inspiration in KCBen Paynter shares his experiences living

and working in Kansas City10tidbits

People and places in Kansas City gaining recognition the world over13

WorKinGProfessionals from around the world

come to Kansas City to live their dream25livinG

The Kansas City metro is a network of lively, unique neighborhoods 47

FaCEs oF aMEriCa’s CrEativE

CrossroadsUp close with 34

Kansas City creatives 77EndMarK

Kansas City leaves a lasting impression on visitors and residents alike88




CONTRIBUTORS

2013/2014 Edition

ABCAUDITED

groUp pUblIshEr, AnThEm pUblIshIng, Inc., ROBIN ATkINS

EDITor-In-chIEf, peTe dUlIN

ExEcUTIvE EDITor, lIfEsTYlE, kATIe vAN lUCheNe

AssocIATE EDITor, bUsInEss, kAThyRN jONeS

AssocIATE EDITor, lIfEsTYlE, eRICkA CheRRy

wEb EDITor, ANdRew SChIlleR

ArT DIrEcTor, dANA AllISON-hIll

sEnIor grAphIc DEsIgnEr, SCOTT OSwAlT

conTrIbUTIng wrITEr, SUSAN FOTOvICh MCCABe, BeN pAyNTeR

conTrIbUTIng phoTogrAphErs, pAUl ANdRewS, ROy INMAN, AARON lINdBeRg, CAMeRON gee, kIM gOldINg

EDITorIAl InTErns, jeNNIFeR BROwN, jIll pOweRS, Alex SheR, AllISON kOhN

sEnIor AccoUnT ExEcUTIvE, jeSSICA BOkATh

AccoUnT ExEcUTIvE, lINdSAy vOORheeS

ADvErTIsIng sAlEs AssIsTAnT, jeNNy ShAFFSTAll EvEnTs coorDInATor, jeSSICA eARNShAw

EDITor-In-chIEf, Kc opTIonsKcADc mAnAgEr, TAlEnT rEcrUITmEnT jeSSICA NelSON

KcADc vIcE prEsIDEnT, DEsIgn & crEATIvEjONAThAN kNeChT

KcADc vIcE prEsIDEnT, commUnIcATIonsAShlIe hANd

KcADc mAnAgEr, crEATIvE sErvIcEs & DIgITAl conTEnTjOey pRIvITeRA

chIEf ExEcUTIvE offIcEr, BRIAN weAveR

chIEf fInAncIAl offIcEr, ed plACe

chIEf opErATIng offIcEr, dON RANSdell

prEsIDEnT of DrIvE DIgITAl mEDIA AnD ExEcUTIvE vIcE prEsIDEnT of AnThEm, eRIN CAlvIN

vIcE prEsIDEnT, hUmAn rEsoUrcEs & ADmInIsTrATIon,ANgelA weAveR

vIcE prEsIDEnT, AnThEm mEDIA, ANdRe plAyeR

DIvIsIon ExEcUTIvE, TOM pOkORNy

conTrollEr, STUART yOUNgS

corporATE AccoUnTAnT, ShANNON SIMMONS

AccoUnTIng mAnAgEr, BOB ROgeRS

A/p AnAlYsT, deANA hICkS

cIrcUlATIon mAnAgEr, ANNMARIe wIllS

ExEcUTIvE AssIsTAnT, BROOke ThOMe

EDITorIAl & sAlEs offIcE: 7101 COllege Blvd., STe. 400 OveRlANd pARk, kS 66210 913-894-6923

KC OPTIONS MAGAZINE is published yearly at 7101 College Blvd., Ste. 400, Overland Park, KS 66210, 913-894-6923. All contents copyright ©2013 by Anthem Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents, without the prior written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. KC OPTIONS is a trade name of Anthem Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Unsolicited photographs, illustrations, or articles are submitted at the risk of the photographer/artist/author. Anthem Publishing Inc. assumes no liability for the return of unsolicited materials and may use them at its discretion. Articles contained in the magazine do not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor before making any tax- or legally related investment decisions. Articles are pub-lished for general informational purposes only and are not an offer or solicitation to sell or buy any securities or commodities. Any particular investment should be analyzed based on its terms and risks as they relate to your individual circumstances and objectives. All letters, photos and manuscripts submitted to Anthem Publishing Inc, either solicited or unsolicited, become the sole property of Anthem Publishing Inc, and may be used and published in any manner whatsoever without limit and without obligation and liability to the author, photographer, artist or owner thereof.

PAUL ANDREWSAndrews, a Kansas City-based photographer, also runs a

creative services company in the River Market along with

his wife, Sonya, and he teaches photography at a local

college. paulandrewsphotography.com

CAMERON GEEBased in the Crossroads Arts District in KC, photographer

Cameron Gee explores his craft through both commercial

and personal work. Holding his images to a minimal aesthetic

in an attempt to slow people down in our fast-paced digital

world, Cameron offers a glimpse of a genuine version

of his subjects, as opposed to a constructed persona.

camerongee.com

SUSAN FOTOVICH MCCABEFotovich McCabe has contributed to KC Business,

Commercial Journal, KC Magazine, KC Options, Flourish

and Leawood Lifestyle. Her expertise spans a wide array

of industries that include agribusiness, aviation, animal

health, consumer products, commercial development,

biosciences, architecture and children with special needs.

KIM GOLDINGGolding is a KC-based freelance photographer. Prior

to working at Hallmark Cards, she had a studio in Los

Angeles and shot photos for a variety of publications

and personalities. She was educated at Plymouth College

of Art and Design in England.

AARON LINDBERGPhotographer Aaron Lindberg is a wannabe surfer,

sarcasm aficionado and drummer. He loves his family

and tacos. aaronlindberg.com

E n g i n e e r i n g , A r c h i t e c t u r e , C o n s t r u c t i o n , E n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d C o n s u l t i n g S o l u t i o n s

We believe in the power of entrepreneurial dreams at Burns & McDonnell. It’s how we began, in 1898, when two small-town entrepreneurs opened a consulting engineering � rm. Today that dream is a 100 percent employee-owned company, more than 4,000 strong and working to make a big impact every day.

We’re looking for the next generation of dreamers. Visit www.burnsmcd.com/careers to learn more.

EOE


E n g i n e e r i n g , A r c h i t e c t u r e , C o n s t r u c t i o n , E n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d C o n s u l t i n g S o l u t i o n s

We believe in the power of entrepreneurial dreams at Burns & McDonnell. It’s how we began, in 1898, when two small-town entrepreneurs opened a consulting engineering � rm. Today that dream is a 100 percent employee-owned company, more than 4,000 strong and working to make a big impact every day.

We’re looking for the next generation of dreamers. Visit www.burnsmcd.com/careers to learn more.

EOE


Come for the science. Stay for the humanity.Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., a growing world-class scientific company, is pleased to

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Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., 2621 North Belt Highway, St. Joseph, Missouri 64506-2002, www.bivijobs.com. ©2013 Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

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TIDBITSARCHITECTURE

Two of Kansas City’s largest architecture

and engineering firms have established

themselves as national leaders.

BURNS & MCDONNELLBurns & McDonnell, an architecture,

engineering and environmental consulting

company, is located on Ward Parkway near

the Country Club Plaza. The firm boasts more

than 20 specialized services, such as air quality

control, aviation and transportation.

Two Stanford University graduates, Clinton

Burns and Robert McDonnell, chose Kansas

City, Mo., as the headquarters for their

engineering consulting firm in 1898. In its

infancy, Burns & McDonnell focused on pro-

viding clean water and other resources to

growing municipalities in the Midwest.

Now, 115 years later, the company employs

more than 3,000 people.

One of the firm’s most notable attributes is

its dedication to its employees. In fact, for more

than 25 years, Burns and McDonnell has been

100 percent employee-owned.

Some of the company’s recent projects

include the Grand and State Red Line

Subway Station Renovation for the Chicago

Department of Transportation and the

GE Advanced Technology and Research

Centre in Qatar.

POPULOUS

Iconic architectural feats such as the new

Yankee Stadium in New York, London’s 2012

Olympic Stadium and the Stadium Australia

in Sydney all share Midwestern roots, thanks

to Kansas City-based architecture and design

firm, Populous.

The independent company is a product

of HOK and LOBB, two large architecture

firms that specialized in sports arenas.

The firm, which moved its headquarters to

the River Market in 2005, works on some of

the world’s largest projects: arenas, ballparks,

stadiums, convention centers, training

centers, fair grounds and equestrian grounds,

to name a few.

Populous has also distinguished itself in the

industry on a global scale—the firm can lay

claim to designs on almost every continent.

resources: Populous populous.com, Burns &

McDonnell burnsmcd.com, Union Station

unionstation.org, Kauffman Center for the

Performing Arts kauffmancenter.org, Kansas

City Power & Light kcpl.com, The Kansas

City Star kansascity.com.

BUILDINGKANSAS CITY

LANDLOCKED ANDLANDMARKED

From its historic buildings to its most creative

innovations, Kansas City architecture is a unique

part of the city’s culture. It has been said that KC is

home to more boulevards than Paris, and although

there’s no Eiffel Tower in the skyline, there are

plenty of iconic landmarks worthy of attention.

KAUFFMAN CENTER FORTHE PERFORMING ARTS:

TThe world-renowned Kauffman Center is home to the

Kansas City Ballet, the Kansas City Symphony and the

Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Designed by architect Moshe

Safdie and funded by $300 million in private investments,

it hosts performers from around the world. It features

advanced acoustic design, distinctive aesthetics,

state-of-the-art technology and two performance

halls, which is why it is being considered for the distinction

of eighth wonder of the world.

POWER AND LIGHT BUILDING: The KCP&L skyscraper is an iconic part of the city’s

skyline. The art deco building was constructed in 1930.

Originally, this building was known for its flickering

floodlights and prismatic glass panels, which lit up

nearby downtown streets.

KANSAS CITY STARPRINTING PLANT:

This press pavilion prints The Kansas City Star, Kansas

City’s daily newspaper. The building is made mostly of

steel and glass and features advanced printing methods

that have been recognized by a North American Color

Quality Award.

UNION STATION:This station, categorized by its Beaux Arts style, was only

the second of its kind when its construction was completed

in 1913. Originally built as the central train station for

the city, Union Station has since been restored and is now

home to Science City, visiting museum exhibits, restaurants,

offices, a 3-D movie screen and Amtrak.

JC NICHOLSMEMORIAL FOUNTAIN:

Arguably the most-photographed landmark in the city, the

JC Nichols Memorial Fountain is located on the Country

Club Plaza. The fountain was erected in Paris in 1910 by

sculptor Henri Grebor. It was later moved to the United

States and officially named as the JC Nichols Memorial

Fountain, in honor of commercial real estate visionary Jesse

Clyde Nichols, in 1960.

story by ALLISON KOHN | photo by PAUL ANDREWS

Brought to you by KCADC & Anthem Publishing 13

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TIDBITSFASHIONA DENIM REVOLUTION

Matt Baldwin’s craftsmanship has created a

jeans moment in the Midwest and on the

national scene. The quality, tailoring and

timelessness of Baldwin Denim ensures

this moment is going to last a

long time. From Kansas

Citian Jason Sudeikis to

Olivia Wilde to Jay-Z,

celebrities across the

nation have been

spotted in Baldwin

Denim. GQ named

Matt Baldwin one of

the top menswear

designers in the nation,

but proof of his popularity

is in the appearance of Baldwin

Denim on the streets of Kansas City and

the recognizable KC hat in local coffee shops,

like The Roasterie. Baldwin also designed the

uniforms for local Mexican eatery Port

Fonda, which diners take notice of between

bites of mole.

Baldwin Denim was born out of Matt

Baldwin’s passion for good design and

quality textiles. After working in his shop,

Standard Style, Baldwin used his knowledge

of the fashion industry to fill the need for a

revival of quality denim in the Midwest.

Baldwin Denim is a celebration of a historically

American material and the styles of today’s

culture. Men’s and women’s collections are

full of staple pieces meant to be dressed up

or down depending on where the day takes

the individual. Baldwin denim is perfectly

molded to not wear the individual but allow

the individual to wear the jeans.

KANSAS CITY’SFASHION STAR

Kansas native Kara Laricks has caused a

big stir on the fashion scene since winning the

first season of NBC’s “Fashion Star.” Once

a fourth grade teacher in the Shawnee Mission

School District, Laricks dreamt of taking

her passion for design to the Big Apple. After

graduating from San Francisco’s Academy

of Art University and closing the Mercedes

Benz Fashion Week graduate fashion show

with her spring/summer 2009 collection,

Laricks signed on for the reality show.

After winning the first season of

“Fashion Star,” Saks Fifth Avenue,

H & M and Macy’s purchased

her capsule collections,

which featured her

aesthetic. This

aesthetic melds the

classic structures of

menswear with more

feminine silhouettes.

Laricks designs have

also been featured on

television, appearing

on NBC’s “The Today

Show” and HBO’s “True

Blood.” Laricks premiered her

women’s wear collection last

September, selling exclusively at Saks in

the spring.

Recently, Laricks returned home to accept

the Impression Award at the Rock the Block

Fashion Show. Rock the Block celebrates local

boutiques with an opportunity for owners to

show off their wares. The Impression Award

recognizes local achievement in fashion,

art and design. Laricks was presented

with the second Impression Award,

which is fitting for a young, local fashion

innovator garnering nationally acclaim while

embracing her Midwestern roots.

LIFE LIVED ARTFULLYA renowned artist, Peregrine

Honig was the youngest living

artist to be included by the Whitney

Museum of American Art in a

permanent collection after the museum

purchased a set of her prints. Recently, she

was a finalist on season one of the Bravo

series “Work of Art.” In Kansas City,

Honig continues to produce magnificent

art through her curatorial work with co-owner

Danielle Meister at Birdies Panties and Swim

Boutique. Described as “an intimate apparel

apothecary and swimwear boutique,” Birdies

is a local shop focused on providing selections

tailored to many different body types. The

hand-painted wallpaper, Victorian doors

and charmeuse

curtains dip

dyed by local

artisan Joscelyn

Himes—who has

custom dyed pieces

for Vera Wang and Donna

Karan—signal Honig’s eye for art. Since

2002, Honig has also served as the artistic

director for the West 18th Street Fashion

Show. For many years, she has sent Birdies

fashions down the runway.

The West 18th Street Fashion Show

is an annual fashion show held on West

18th Street in Kansas City’s Crossroads

Arts District. Event organizers and a select

panel choose 18 designers to send their

designs down the runway each year, showing a

plethora of local design, styling, makeup and

modeling talent. 18th Street is the perfect

host to this June event with its eclectic

and vibrant art scene. Boutiques like Birdies

and Peggy Noland bring in customers with

their inspired window displays. YJ’s Snack

Bar serves as a street side café from which

people watch the street in between sips of

coffee. Galleries abound around the area

and the way they fill up with a

varied crowd on First

Fridays showcase the

support of the arts

in Kansas City.

Adding character

to the art scene in

Kansas City, Honig

engages in the local

community through the

art that she creates.

resources: Baldwin Denim baldwindenim.com,

Kara Laricks karalaricks.com, Peregrine

Honig birdiespanties.com



TIDBITSSPORTS

One of the highlights of Kansas City’s

summer sports agenda is the 2013 Lamar

Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which celebrated

its centennial anniversary in 2013. Local

MLS team Sporting KC was the proud

champion of last year’s Open Cup, triumphing

over the Seattle Sounders at Sporting Park in

Kansas City, Kan.

For the first time, the 18th consecutive

MLS All-Star Game was held July 31 at

Sporting Park. The MLS All-Stars competed

against AS Roma from Italy, marking the

first time an Italian team has played in

the All-star Game. The game also brought

international players like U.S. men’s star

Michael Bradley and Italian forward

Francesco Totti to the area.

LOCAL SOCCER SCENEThe Blue Valley Soccer Club offers

youth the opportunity to play soccer in the

Kansas City area. The home training facility

for this club is the Overland Park

Soccer Complex. It includes

recreational and premier

leagues for both boys

and girls. Teams

are open to children

in grades pre-K

through 12, and

the more advanced

premier leagues are

open to children in

grades two through 12.

In addition to this, The Sporting Club

Training Center was dedicated on July 13,

2007. Located in Kansas City’s historic Swope

Park, the training center includes more

than 7,800 square feet of facility

space and four soccer fields.

The 7,000 square-foot main

structure includes a large

locker room and lounge

for players, treatment

areas, a cardio and

weight training room

and equipment and

laundry facilities. In the

first six months of operation,

the center won two awards

for its construction and benefit to

the community.

ARROWHEAD PRIDEThis year, the Kansas City Chiefs gained

new general manager, John Dorsey, who

previously worked with the

Green Bay Packers and

former Eagles coach,

Andy Reid. The

public, and the

team, is hoping

that this change

in leadership,

and their re-

cent draft picks,

will improve their

game. The Chiefs also

KC CONNECTIONTO WORLD SOCCER

story by ALEX SHER | photo by GARY ROHMAN

continue to serve the community through

helping with the Cross-Lines Community

Outreach Program, which helps to feed

those in poverty. On-field and off, the

Chiefs are always working.

GETTING IN THE SWINGThe Royals continue to be an integral part

of Kansas City with an impressive run for a

post-season spot since the All-Star break.

The dynamic team continues to be actively

involved in the community with charity

work, including one of their annual events, the

Broadcast Auction. This features an auction of

exclusive Royals experiences

such as enjoying lunch

with Royals legends

George Brett,

John Wathan,

Jason Kendall

and five of

your friends.

RACING WITH

NASCARNASCAR is still a

crowd favorite at the Kansas

Speedway. The GRAND-AM Road

Racing Series makes its debut this year at

the Kansas Speedway. On a larger scale, the

Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series continue

to attract fans each October as the forerunners

compete closely in points. Additionally,

NASCAR has been involved in charity

work and has raised $1.2 million for people

impacted by autism at its “Speeding for a

Cure” charity event.

resources: Sporting Kansas City sportingkc.com,

Blue Valley Soccer Club sportingbvsoccer.org,

Kansas City Chiefs kcchiefs.com, Kansas

City Royals kansascity.royals.mlb.com, Kansas

Speedway kansasspeedway.com

Pop: Griffen Alexander, Mississippi Water Country: Grisly Hand, Coal & Black Rap: Tech N9ne, Heavy Folk: Margo May, Rock n’ Roll Bab



KC RANKED AMONG LOWEST AVERAGE APARTMENT RENTING COSTSAt $695 per month on average, the KC area ranked among the lowest average apartment rent costs compared to 79 other major metro areas. KC Business Journal, April 2013.

KC, A MOST ROMANTIC CITYKansas City has been named a “Top 10 Romantic City” for its performance venues, museums, shopping areas and eclectic eateries, making it a “cosmopolitan playground perfect for lovers to explore.” Livability.com, February 2013

KC RANKED SIXTH BEST CITY IN AMERICA TO RAISE A FAMILYKC checks in at No. 6 on list of top 10 cities in America to raise a family. KC was selected for its low cost of living and ample park space. The list was compiled by Movoto Real Estate, June 2013.

KC RANKED THIRD MOST CHARITABLE COMMUNITYKC ranks No. 3 among the nation’s 30 most philanthropic communities, according to a June 2013 list compiled by Charity Navigator. KC achieved this ranking through frugal charity CEO compensation and high revenue growth.

KANSAS CITY RECOGNIZED FOR ABUNDANCE OF CULTUREKansas City ranked No. 7 on Homes.com’s list of the “Top 10 Culture Cities” in the U.S. for its significant influence on history, arts and literature. The Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, The Nelson-Atkins Museum, the American Jazz Museum and the American Royal all contributed to Kansas City’s placement, out-ranking cities including New York, Portland and Nashville. Homes.com. November 2012.

KC NAMED AS ONE OF “AMERICA’S BEST CITIES FOR HIPSTERSHome to a lively music scene, eclectic art district and flourishing night life, Travel + Leisure names KC one of “America’s Best Cities for Hipsters.” KC ranked No. 20 on the list, outranking cities like Las Vegas (21) and Miami (28). Travel + Leisure, April 2012.

KC RANKS NO. 3 ON FORBES’ LIST OF “10 BEST CITIES TO BUY A HOME”KC boasts a modest median list price and a large pool of options that makes this city rank No. 3 on Forbes’ 2012 list of “10 Best Cities to Buy a Home.”

KANSAS CITY RANKS AMONG “AMERICA’S 50 BEST CITIES”Kansas City ranks No. 15 among “America’s 50 Best Cities” thanks to its “unique blend of technology, arts and history.” Bloomberg Businessweek evaluated 100 of America’s largest cities based on leisure attributes, educational attributes, economic factors and more to generate the top 50 cities in America. Kansas City out-ranked cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas. Bloomberg Businessweek, September 2012

MEDIAN SALARIES:

ACCOUNTANT MANAGER $45,987CIVIL ENGINEER $66,452CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER $61,080MECHANICAL ENGINEER $62,218OFFICE MANAGER $38,860REGISTERED NURSE $50,868SOFTWARE ENGINEER $70,500

“Be the change you want to see in the world,” could be the

motto of the Kansas City community. More than 70 percent of

Kansas City households regularly donate cash and more than

400,700 Kansas City citizens volunteer their time frequently,

creating a positive, welcoming environment. The United Nations

NGOs have recognized this, awarding Kansas City the title of

most positive community in the world in 2011.

This positive energy also leads to a community full of projects

that thrive on people’s generosity. Sixty-nine percent of the $2

billion dollars donated annually by Kansas City goes directly

to supporting the Kansas City community. Also, citizens can

volunteer at and receive help from more than 7,500 nonprofits

in the city that support everything from hunger to interfaith

relations to childcare and more. Based on these statistics, it

is easy to see Kansas Citians have a passion for helping people.

PHILANTHROPIC KANSAS CITYstory by ALEX SHER | photo by PAUL ANDREWS

TIDBITSQUALITY of LIFE

KANSAS CITY RANKINGS



TIDBITSQUALITY of LIFE

NONE

$56

$10

$7

$30

$13

COST OF LIVING

Tolls in the metro

Parking at the airport

Ribeye steak dinner

10-mile cab ride

Haircut

Manicure

All numbers compiled from research by KC Options staff.

AVERAGE PRICES

DALLASLOSANGELES

KANSASCITY

25¢ - $1.40/mile

$75

$29.85

$9

$75

$15

16¢/mile

$54

$23.50

$11

$45

$16



BLUE SPRINGS LAKE Blue Springs, Mo.

Fishermen can cast their lines into Blue

Springs Lake, which is full of hybrid striped

bass, bluegill, largemouth bass, carp and

catfish. Swimmers and boaters will find what

they are looking for on the beach and in the

marina. Locations for picnicking and camping

are also available.

ENGLISH LANDING PARKParkville, Mo.

This beautiful park includes a paved scenic

trail along the river with an incredible view,

which is perfect for the avid runner. Boating,

softball and soccer are also popular sports

in the area facilitated by the body of water and

fields in the park. The park also features the

historic 1898 Waddell A-Truss footbridge,

one of only two of these types of bridges

still standing.

HERITAGE LAKE AND PARKOverland Park, Kan.

At 1,160 acres, this park is expansive

enough to bolster a family’s active life. The lake

is 45-acres and features fishing and wind

surfing for a day of watersports. Plus, for

sports on dry land, there is an island shelter

for picnickers; softball, soccer and

football fields and jogging trail.

JACOMO LAKE AND MARINABlue Springs, Mo.

The 970-acre lake offers boating

and a marina for water lovers, but it

also includes Missouri Town 1855 for

the historian. Extensive trails around the

lake make it ideal for keeping active by hiking,

camping and picnicking.

SHAWNEE MISSION PARK AND LAKEShawnee, Kan.

The 1,250-acre park contains recreation-

al facilities, such as softball fields and tennis

courts, as well as a swimming beach and an

archery range to add a little variety to

a fitness regime. A 150-acre lake offers

fishing and boating, accessible by personal

and rented boats during the summer.

JOIN ONE OF KC’S ACTIVE GROUPSBIKEWALKKC

This rent-a-bike program allows riders to

get a street view of the city while engaging

in exercise. Planned bicycle routes help

people stay safe while encouraging them

to incorporate bicycling into active lifestyles.

The bikes can be found at various locations

throughout the city.

KANSAS CITY AQUATICS CLUBIn Olathe, Kan., this club offers swimmers

of all ages and fitness levels an exercise

program underwater. This program offers

swimming lessons, events

and competitions.

KC TRACK CLUB

Individual or

group runs and

walks that this

group offers are

long distance and

do not take place on

tracks. The club’s main event

is Brew to Brew, a 43-mile race from

Kansas City, Mo., to Lawrence, Kan. The

event raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis

Foundation. Other events include trail

runs and 5Ks.

BIKING TRAILS PROMISE ADVENTURE

Kansas City’s Midwestern location and

geography makes it a great place to bike. In

Johnson County, Mill Creek Streamway Park

features a paved trail that follows the creek

from the scenic Kaw River. Longview Lake

Trail is paved, and another popular

trail, Little Blue Trace Trail, is crushed

gravel. Outside of Kansas City, the Katy

Trail provides a 185-mile adventure from

Sedalia, Mo., to St. Louis, Mo.

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTCheck out Big Balls Kickball, an adult

league playing a classic, schoolyard game.

The Kansas City Flying Disc Club offers

the opportunity to learn and compete in the

sport of disc golf. For a more dangerous

thrill, try roller derby. Two teams skate

on a flat track and, using physical force,

push their players to the front, a thrilling

spectacle both fun to play and watch in a

family-friendly setting. The Kansas City

Roller Warriors, an all-female team, and

the Cowtown Butchers, an all-male team,

are two local roller derby teams bent on

taking down the competition.

resources: Blue Springs Lake & Jacomo

Lake and Marina jacksongov.org, English

Landing Park parkvillemo.gov, Heritage Lake

and Park & Shawnee Mission Park and Lake

jcprd.com, BikeWalkKC bikewalkkc.org, Kansas

City Aquatics Club kcaquatics.org, Kansas

City Track Club kctrack.org

TIDBITSACTIVE LIVING

KC AREALAKES & PARKS

story by JENNIFER BROWN



TIDBITSTECH

GOOGLE FIBERGoogle Fiber’s debut in Kansas City

shines a spotlight on the city’s existing

technology scene and its potential for

growth. The superfast service boosts the

city’s prominence in Silicon Prairie and across

the U.S. Also, it provides a competitive

advantage and benefits to local startups,

homes, businesses and organizations as the

service has plans to expand across the metro

to nearby suburbs like fast-growing Olathe,

Kan. over the next two years.

“Google Fiber gives us a leg up on other

regions,” says Tim McKee, Olathe Chamber

of Commerce CEO. “Omaha, St. Louis,

Denver, Tulsa, Oklahoma City—They don’t

have this and it may be quite some time

before they do, which makes Kansas City

that much more attractive.”

KANSAS CITYSTARTUP VILLAGE

Google Fiber has fueled local tech

startups and initiatives including the

development of the Kansas City Startup Village

(#KCSV). The village is an entrepreneur-led,

organic, grassroots initiative helping

bolster the Kansas City entrepreneurial and

startup community.

EyeVerify is one of two-dozen startups

that are residents of the Village. Led by

Founder and CEO Toby Rush, EyeVerify

is focused on eye vein biometrics that

can deliver fingerprint level accuracy from

a phone. EyeVerify negotiated a worldwide

exclusive license to a patent developed by

University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC)

scientists and West Virginia University.

Another startup, RareWire, creates

apps on iOS and Android mobile devices

through the use of its App Creation Studio.

The company has created apps for Boulevard

Brewing Company, The Atlantic, retailer

Forever 21 and Graphic Design USA.

INDUSTRY LEADERSAt the other end of the spectrum, established

companies like Perceptive Software, Garmin,

Sprint and Cerner, are industry leaders in

their respective fields. These companies began

in Kansas City and have grown into the

mature companies they are today.

Sprint continues to innovate and lead

with its array of products and services for

businesses and consumers that extend beyond

mobile phones. For example, Sprint Velocity is

an emerging vehicle technology that provides

Internet access and helps drivers concentrate

on driving. A June 2013 Forbes article states,

“Sprint is becoming a leading player in the

vehicle communications market by offering

more than just the wireless connection. It

has also developed expertise in navigation,

managing complicated vendor ecosystems

and adapting communications applications

to the driving environment.”

Perceptive Software builds process and

content management software for business

including intelligent data capture, integration

technology and more. Perceptive helps

companies to streamline their processes,

reduce costs from paperwork and improve

customer service within a wide range of

industries. The company has become so

successful in its field that it was acquired

as a business unit of Lexmark International.

Garmin is known for the application of

its GPS technology in products and apps

that help the world navigate, be it aviation,

marine, fitness, outdoor recreation or tracking.

The company develops some of the coolest

products on the planet––such as Vector, a

high-precision, pedal-based power meter,

designed for cyclists by cyclists.

Cerner’s software and products help

health care facilities around the world

improve pharmaceuticals, medical devices

and other fields. Cerner’s success landed

the company on Forbes 2013 Top 10

Most Innovative Companies in the U.S.

list (Cerner is ranked 13th in the world).

The company recently entered an agreement

to purchase approximately 237 acres in

south Kansas City. The expanded campus,

if constructed, would potentially house

12,000-15,000 additional associates

upon full build-out.

resources: Sprint sprint.com, Kansas City

Startup Village kcstartupvillage.org, Perceptive

Software perceptivesoftware.com, Garmin

garmin.com, Cerner cerner.com

story by PETE DULIN

KC TECHNOLOGY



TIDBITSCULINARY

SOMETHING’S COOKING IN THE WEST BOTTOMS

Now that the age of caring about the

origin of food is again upon us, Local Pig

Charcuterie is quickly becoming a Kansas

City favorite and, with an article in the

the New York Times, a point of interest on

the national radar. Alex Pope has created

not only a successful butcher shop, but

also a space where customers can appreciate

the preparation of their meat. Pope offers

butchering classes where customers take

a hands-on approach to learning how to

break down an animal into usable cuts.

Weekly or biweekly butcher boxes—in

five-, seven- or 10-pound boxes—come

filled with items such as roasts, burgers

and sausages and a varied selection of

stocks, spice blends and fresh herbs that

complement the cuts. For instant

gratification, Local Pig has

hit the street in mobile

form with the Pigwich

food truck. Tempting

menu items like the

1/3-pound burger,

hefty cheese steak

and savory banh

mi have Kansas City

carnivores rejoicing and

lined up to order.

SOUTHERN WITH A TWIST

Chef Shanita McAfee,

Magnolia’s Contemporary Southern

Bistro owner, brings the cooking of the

South to a Midwestern audience. As with

any great chef, her distinct style has been

crafted by not only culinary school, but

also her life experiences. As a talented

chef on the burgeoning local food scene,

Chef McAfee aspires to do much more

with Magnolia’s than can even fit in the

Southern restaurant.

Where do you find inspiration for creating

new dishes?

Everywhere. I have phases, I think a lot

of chefs do. In terms of Southern food, I

think Southern cuisine is the foundation of

American food. It combines African

and Native American cuisines

to create traditional dishes

Americans recognize as

the food of America. My

approach when I cook is

historical. I go back in history

to try to understand the origins

of a dish. I’m working through

George Washington Carver’s

recipes right now. I made his sweet

potato biscuit recipe, and

it needed tweaking, but it

was still pretty good.

What do you hope to do

with Magnolia’s in the future?

I want to finish our cookbook. We are

also working on a line of ice creams. And

packaged food, I would love to figure out

a way to get our food into grocery stores.

KANSAS CITY’S MANIFESTO AND MIXOLOGY SCENE

Manifesto, Kansas City’s speakeasy-style

bar in The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange, is

serving up classically-inspired cocktails

with fresh ingredients, and it’s gaining a

lot of attention. The New York Times,

Esquire and Nightclub & Bar Magazine have

all taken notice, but what has allowed for

its success is the national and local interest

in classic cocktails. The cocktails on the

menu in the 48-seat bar are labor intensive,

all the more rewarding for taste buds,

and the menu changes with the seasons

and is sectioned by alcohol type, such as

gin and vodka.

resources: The Local Pig thelocalpig.com,

Magnolia’s Contemporary Southern Bistro

magnoliaskc.com, Manifesto theriegerkc.com/

manifesto

KANSAS CITY’S CULINARY CULTURE

story by ERICKA CHERRY

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720 Oak Street • Downtown Kansas City, Missouriwww.buildersassociation.com

Onsite Plan Room • Construction Documents

Marketing Services • Modern Builder Magazine

Labor Relations & Employee Benefi ts

Government Relations • Education & Training

Safety, Health & Environmental Services • Insurance

Technology Solutions

www.buildersepr.com • www.projectconx.com


PROFESSIONAL WAKE-UP CALL

Topeka, Kansas is on the GO. This is THE place for young professionals who want to make a real difference. Find more mobility in a smaller city that boasts a multitude of opportunities in many different industries and careers. Think Topeka. WE CAN DO THAT.

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120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110Topeka, Kansas 66603-3515P. 785.234.2644F. 785.234.8656



WORKING

PROFILE: NATE ORR,

SPENCER FANE BRITT &

BROWNE............................26

PROFILE: BROOKE

SALVAGGIO, BADSEED........27

DIGITAL MEDIA

ROUNDTABLE.......................28

PROFILE: KEVIN FRYER,

SPARKLABKC.......................31

HIGHER EDUCATION

CONVERSATION...................32

YOUNG FRIENDS OF

ART ROUNDTABLE..............34

PROFILE: DAWN IDDINGS,

GARMIN.................................37

DIARY OF A DAY: CHEF

MICHAEL SMITH..................38

PROFILE: JIM LEWIS,

BLACK & VEATCH....................42


Working_SplashPage_KCO_QF.indd 25 10/7/13 12:15 PM

Nate Orr sits behind his desk at Spencer

Fane Britt & Browne, a local law firm in

downtown Kansas City. His window frames

the city’s skyline on a rainy day, making his

office all the more impressive. On this day,

we sit down to talk about Orr’s position at the

firm, social media law, young professionals in

Kansas City and Orr’s experience living and

working here.

“Over the years, my role at the firm has

evolved into one that specializes in develop-

ing and managing client relationships,” Orr

says. “My practice focuses on ensuring that

each of those clients receives efficient and

effective results across a broad spectrum of

practice areas. Many of our clients think of

me as the quarterback for their relationship

with the firm.”

In terms of developing client relationships,

social media is also a topic not far from Orr’s

mind. Spencer Fane embraces its use among

employees in order to increase visibility.

“Building client relationships is crucial

in this industry. People learn about lawyers

through personal interactions. Beyond

personal interactions, we encourage our

lawyers to keep their LinkedIn profiles

up-to-date, so potential clients can get the

next best view of their skills,” Orr says.

Beyond its LinkedIn usage, Spencer Fane is

also one of the leading law firms on the topic

of social media law. The team aids companies

in setting internal policies on employee usage

of social media outlets. Spencer Fane attorneys

are sought-after speakers on social media law,

as they closely follow the latest developments

in the social media world.

Orr conducts this work in Kansas City,

which provides a rich environment for young

professionals like himself to grow.

“I think this is a great town for young

professionals – and it has gotten exponentially

better since I returned to KC 15 years ago,”

Orr says. “Kansas City offers almost every

amenity of any larger city. It is large enough

to offer an array of social and professional

outlets but small enough for one to make

an immediate impact.”

The presence of young professionals in

Kansas City, in turn, keeps big business

here. Spencer Fane’s downtown location

is up the street from the Crossroads Arts

District, an independently-developing arts

scene teeming with hot, new restaurants,

galleries and shops. It’s the homegrown

culture in which Nate Orr and Spencer

Fane thrive.

resources: Spencer Fane Britt & Browne

spencerfane.com, Social Media Club of KC

socialmediaclubkc.ning.com

The Social Media Club of Kansas

City is the local chapter of the

international Social Media Club.

Creating an environment of education,

networking and sharing, SMCKC

presents multiple events throughout

the year, including special screenings

of social media-related movies, VIP

tickets to local events and discounted

rates for conferences and summits.

In addition, SMCKC recently won

an outstanding chapter award.

SMCKC meets the first Friday of every

month for breakfast with a side of

engaging industry discussion.


KC’S SOCIAL MEDIACONNECTION

PROFILENATE ORR

Social Mediaclub of

KanSaS city


Working_Nate_Orr_KCO_QF.indd 26 10/7/13 12:22 PM

Growing up in a suburb can be a formative experience for some

people and becomes a defining part of a person’s identity. URBAVORE

Farmer and BADSEED Market Owner Brooke Salvaggio is familiar

with this idea.

“I grew up in the Midwestern suburbs. My whole life was

dominated by big green lawns, big cars, processed food and

commercialism,” Salvaggio says. “When I was 18, I

traveled the world in search of something more

meaningful. As a means of supporting my travels,

I volunteered on organic farms in exchange

for room and board. That opened my eyes to

small scale agriculture, homegrown food

and the idea of working the land as a means

of survival.”

This knowledge compelled Salvaggio to

open an organic market in Kansas City to serve

an urban area where brick and pavement is much

more prevalent than abundant crops of fresh fruits and

vegetables. Salvaggio, along with fellow farmer, Daniel Heryer,

established 2.5-acre BADSEED farm in South Kansas City.

Now, Salvaggio and Heryer operate the BADSEED farm on

a lush 13.5-acre property east of the Country Club Plaza. This

fertile land supports BADSEED’s thriving Friday night markets

at its location on McGee Street in downtown Kansas City.

“BADSEED Friday Night Farmers’ Market is truly the funkiest

market in town. We are home to a gregarious gang of growers

who produce everything—heirloom vegetables, free-range eggs,

grass-fed meats, raw honey, artisan cheese, rustic bread and

chestnuts and pecans,” Salvaggio says.

Kansas City has steadily embraced organic

farming and its practitioners. As Salvaggio

points out, there are more than 200 farms focused

on sustainability within a 100-mile radius and 60

farms and gardens in the metropolitan area.

“I would like BADSEED to expand into

a year-round market. For URBAVORE, we

are in the process of expanding our orchards

and specialty crops. We will soon offer organic

apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, blueberries

and asparagus from our farm,” Salvaggio says.

With such carefully grown ingredients available throughout the

metro, good, healthful food permeates restaurants and kitchens

throughout the city.

resources: BADSEED badseedkc.com

Heirloom TomaTo STackS wiTH Blue cHeeSe & PurPle ruffleS BaSil

This seasonal dish is easy

and decadent beyond all

comprehension. Heirloom

tomatoes will bedazzle

area farmers’ markets in

July and August. For a stellar

selection, hit up the BADSEED

Farmers’ Market on Friday evenings or Brookside

Community Market on Saturday mornings.

DIRECTIONS:

Take four (strikingly different) varieties of

heirloom tomatoes and cut them into thick

slices. Then, build stacks by sandwiching

(high-quality) blue cheese and purple ruffles

basil between each layer.

I make mine four layers high with a nice big

pink beefsteak as my base (try a Brandywine or

a Mortgage Lifter), followed by a Green Zebra

(a lime green beauty with yellow stripes and a

tangy refreshing flavor), then a Purple Calabash

(a ruby-purple, superbly ribbed tomato with the

richness of fine chocolate) and lastly, an Ivory

Egg (a dainty, pear-shaped tomato with blushing

cream-colored flesh and a light angelic flavor). I

drizzle the finished masterpiece with a little extra

virgin olive oil, a sprinkling of Sicilian sea-salt

and a painfully decadent balsamic reduction. To

make balsamic reduction, bring 1 1/2 cups balsamic

vinegar to a boil. Then, turn down the heat and

simmer until it has reduced about halfway. Add

1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar and continue to

simmer until it becomes syrupy. Yum!

Compliments of Farmer Brooke of BADSEED


EATING URBAVOROUSLY

PROFILEBROOKE

SALVAGGIO

Farming in traditionally urban areas has never tasted better


Working_Brooke_Salvaggio_KCO_QF.indd 27 10/7/13 12:29 PM

WORKINGDIGITAL &

MEDIA AGENCIES

Kansas City is home to independently-owned

advertising agencies that specialize in digital

and social media. These agencies produce

work for national and local clients and share

an uncommon bond as part of a tight-knit ad

community. Five professionals shared insight

about working in the local market.

What sets Kansas City’s digital and social

media ad agencies apart from other markets?

GEOFF PICKERING, Senior Vice

President, Managing Director of Social

Media, Barkley: Kansas City is the largest

independent ad agency community in the

United States. That’s huge. And that makes

a difference as far as jumping around between

agencies for salary reasons or for a new

opportunity at another job.

TONY WELCH, Creative Services Direc-

tor, T2 Studios: Kansas City has a thriving

digital media community. We fly a bit under

the radar and, therefore, feel free to explore

new ideas and technology a bit more liberally

than other markets. We’re not afraid to get

out there and push new ideas and approaches

to digital media.

RON ARENS, Digital Art Director,

Hallmark Digital: The community is

tight-knit. Everyone knows each other, is

supportive and we all share the work. It is

also less competitive and we all recognize

that each of us benefits from camaraderie.

GP: It’s important to keep opening up the

apex to get more people in [the industry]

because we kept robbing from each other.

We couldn’t grow. We had to create an

environment to bring in more people

with more opportunities. Since then,

we’ve all grown and gotten bigger clients.

RAMSEY MOHSEN, Director of Social

Media, DEG: In the industries of PR, ad-

vertising and digital, all had a collision

over the past ten years. The agencies here

in town have understood quickly––How

do you react to this? How should we better

offer our services for clients? In the 2000s,

there was the time period where everyone was

trying to figure out what do we do here?

GP: Because we were all independently

owned, we were able to pivot where a lot

of the holding companies couldn’t. We’ve

hired people from holding companies

and their constant response is, “I’m so

glad I’m here. Before, I felt like I was

working for a company that was building

hammers and selling solutions.” We have

more flexibility to offer up something that

actually works.

RM: People talk about how KC is not a

major metropolitan market like it is on the

coast, but I think that’s an advantage that

other cities don’t have. There’s a cultural

mindset in the middle of the map. People

believe there’s nothing amazing happening

in this part of the country, but we know

that’s not the case. We have a fundamentally

different mindset in the sense of hard work,

being good people at heart and doing right

by our clients.

PUSHING THE BARinterview by PETE DULIN | photos by AARON LINDBERG

GEOFF PICK

ER

ING

RA

MSEY M

OHSEN

SHEA CA

RT

ER

TONY WELCH RON ARENS


Working_Digital_Media_Roundtable_KCO_QF2.indd 28 10/7/13 12:32 PM

Working_Digital_Media_Roundtable_KCO_QF2.indd 30 10/7/13 12:32 PM

WORKINGHIGHER

EDUCATION

Chancellor Leo Morton of the University

of Missouri-Kansas City and President Kirk

Schulz of Kansas State University reflect on

how each university caters to the dynamic

needs of both students and companies in a

marketplace seeking to hire prepared, talented

graduates and working professionals with

up-to-date skills in highly competitive fields.

How does your university distinguish itself

in the educational marketplace?

PRESIDENT SCHULZ: At Kansas State

University’s Olathe campus, professionals

can conveniently continue their education

for high-demand careers in biosciences and

biotechnology, often while working with

industry scientists. Many graduate degree

programs offered at K-State Olathe are

especially suited for those working at

companies in the Kansas City Animal

Health Corridor.

Students not living in the Kansas City

area can receive a top-tier education

through our distance education programs,

including our doctoral program in personal

financial planning—the first online program

of its kind in the nation.

Fortune 500 companies seek our graduates

because they know K-Staters have hands-on

experience, industry knowledge and a strong

work ethic, all before they receive a diploma.

New this year, our online professional MBA

program is ideal for working professionals

who want to take their career to the

next level.

CHANCELLOR MORTON: Two things

that set UMKC apart are our entrepreneurial

focus and our commitment to community

engagement. Our Henry W. Bloch School

of Management is globally renowned for

its entrepreneurship programs, both in

the traditional business realm, as well as

for our leadership in social entrepreneurship in

the nonprofit sector.

UMKC faculty, students and alumni have

launched exciting, successful entrepreneurial

ventures in Kansas City and around the world.

UMKC’s Innovation Center is a significant

resource for community entrepreneurs,

through programs such as KC SourceLink,

Whiteboard to Boardroom and Digital

Sandbox KC.

We are called to serve not just our students,

but the community as a whole. Our Hospital

Hill Campus provides millions of dollars

worth of uncompensated care annually to

underserved and uninsured people and

focuses much research on addressing health

care service gaps in both urban and rural

areas. Class projects in our Department of

Architecture, Urban Planning and Design

address real-world redevelopment needs

in the urban core. Our performing arts

programs offer hundreds of hours of free,

cultural programming to the community. The

Musical Bridges program at our Conservatory

of Music and Dance provides training to

exceptional, young musicians whose families

cannot not afford private instruction, thus

opening the door to professional careers.

How is your university’s cost faring

compared to the marketplace?

MORTON: This year, we were the only

university in the Kansas City area to

make the Princeton Review Top 75 list

of Best Value universities in the U.S. for two

consecutive years. Our enrollment is growing,

and that indicates that the marketplace is

recognizing the value we offer.

SCHULZ: Our students graduate with a

highly valuable degree and are thoroughly

prepared to enter the workforce.

We make higher education accessible

through financial assistance. More than

$200 million of financial assistance, including

$18.8 million in scholarships, is distributed

to K-State students every year. We are a

EDUCATION IN ACTIONstory by PETE DULIN | photos by KIM GOLDING & ROY INMAN

PresidentSchulz


Working_HigherEducation_KCO_QF2.indd 32 10/7/13 12:35 PM

program site for First Scholars, a national

program aimed at increasing graduation

rates among first-generation students.

The Suder Foundation awarded the university

$850,000 to cover student scholarships and

start-up costs to launch the program.

How is the university aligning education

with the needs of companies seeking

well-prepared graduates as new hires?

SCHULZ: Our College of Business Adminis-

tration’s Business Executive Mentor program

matches undergraduate students with business

mentors and companies seeking our graduates.

Additionally, our professional development

program enhances students’ education

and marketability in preparation, excellence

and enrichment.

K-State’s office of corporate engagement

helps companies partner with campus

researchers, recruit new employees and

develop their current employees’ skills with

educational development. The Olathe

campus is home to many research centers

and institutes, including the College of

Human Ecology’s Sensory Analysis Center

and the U.S.-China Center for Animal

Health. Groundbreaking research takes

place every day on our campus through

these collaborations.

MORTON: UMKC faculty in our individual

academic units work closely with leaders in

their professions. The continuing education

program for attorneys, for example, is a

joint project of the Kansas City Metropolitan

Bar Association and the UMKC School of

Law. The UMKC School of Education presents

continuing education and certification

programs on site in local school districts,

and students work in the real-world teaching

environment as part of their instruction.

The Executive Education program at the

Bloch School creates custom curriculum

programs for specific companies, such as

Cerner, Garmin and H&R Block. And all of

the faculty in our School of Medicine hold

joint appointments with and in our affiliated

hospitals—Children’s Mercy Hospital and

Clinics, Truman Medical Center, St. Luke’s

Hospital, Research Medical Center and the

Veterans Affairs Hospital–ensuring that

our medical education curriculum remains

strictly relevant to real world demands.

What do employers seek from your graduates?

MORTON: They need professionals with

the skills to adapt to changing conditions

and changing demands as business needs

continually evolve. That’s a big focus of

UMKC’s new General Education Core

Curriculum. We’re teaching facts and

knowledge, but we’re also teaching problem

solving by getting people to approach a

situation from a variety of angles and points

of view. Employers also appreciate that our

students benefit from experiential learning

opportunities under real-world conditions.

SCHULZ: Kansas State University partners

with companies specifically seeking our

students because of the hands-on experience

they receive while still in school. Students in

the College of Engineering have interned

at companies such as Google Inc. and

Microsoft Corp.

How are you preparing students to compete

in an international marketplace?

MORTON: A diverse urban campus like

ours is the best preparation for participating

in the global economy. UMKC is home to

more than 1,200 international students and

scholars from 73 countries. Students who

enroll at UMKC are immersed in a diverse

cultural milieu.

SCHULZ: K-State recruits international

students to add diversity to the campus

and prepare students for the marketplace.

Our collaborations range from research

to exchanges. K-State is also the first U.S.

educational partner of the Australian-

American Fulbright Commission.

resources: University of Missouri-Kansas

City umkc.edu, Kansas State University

k-state.edu

WORKINGHIGHER

EDUCATION

Chancellor Morton


Working_HigherEducation_KCO_QF2.indd 33 10/7/13 12:36 PM

WORKINGYOUNG FRIENDS

OF ART

The Nelson-Atkins’ Young Friends of

Art is one of the most established young

professional groups in Kansas City. Founded

in 1965, the mission of Young Friends of Art

is to help professionals in their 20s and 30s

meet new people through events that support

arts and culture in the local community. Every

second Friday of the month, the group gets

together at the Nelson-Atkins to view art,

enjoy drink specials and mingle with other

YFA members.

What’s your impression of Kansas City’s

arts scene?

JAMES VIGLIATURO (Health care

consultant): It’s a pretty rich arts culture.

It has always felt like a place where a lot of

local artists have stayed in the city or returned.

Artistically, it’s pretty vibrant.

NATALIE MCALLISTER-JACKSON

(Communications professional): I think it’s

a pretty tight-knit arts community. In a lot

of cities, it can get pretty competitive, but I

get the sense here that it is very facilitative.

KRISTINA CARLSON (Photographer):

It’s really thriving. We seem to only grow

every year. We started with the Crossroads,

and we have branched out into these other

areas around it. In other places across the

United States, it is just one area.

ELIZABETH ARNOLD (Private tutor):

In some cities, you have strong corporate

support and a lot of grassroots support and

nobody in the middle. I’ve found that at

different levels there is balanced support

of the arts in KC.

Talk a little about the accessibility of art in

Kansas City. What’s its current outreach?

How can it extend?

NMJ: There are a lot of activities here. I

brought in some friends from out of town

during the Chinese New Year, and it felt like

there were a thousand people in the museum.

They were blown away. They are from

Europe, and they were completely impressed

that there were that many people here willing

to come out to the museum on a Friday night.

ANDREA GANIER (Senior account

manager at a software company): One

thing that is helping accessibility is that

there are so many partnerships between

arts organizations and more established

organizations. Like bringing Quixotic Fusion

[an aerobatic performing arts group] to the

Nelson-Akins Sculpture Garden.

KC: Kansas City is very accessible, because

it doesn’t feel like you have to be of a certain

status or background to go to anything

that has to do with the arts. Variety

makes it accessible.

JV: One time, I was driving with a client

downtown while the Kauffman Center for

the Performing Arts was being built. He

pointed out the structure and asked what

it was. I told him, and he said, “When

the main building you are constructing

downtown is an arts center that says a

lot about a city.”

Why should fine art matter to young people?

LEAH VOMHOF (School improvement

specialist): I think, whether it is kids or

young adults, fine arts create different pathways

in your brain. Even if it is not what you are

going to do with your life, it makes you

think differently about the projects you are

working on.

NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART: YOUNG FRIENDS OF ART

story by ERICKA CHERRY | photos by PAUL ANDREWS


Working_Art_Roundtable_KCO_QF.indd 34 10/7/13 12:37 PM

WORKINGYOUNG FRIENDS

OF ARTAG: There’s a reason so many tech companies

put a lot of thought into the design of their

office space, because they know people are

visually stimulated by creative pieces.

EA: So much of my professional life is

mediated through digital interfaces. When I

come to the Nelson, I experience things that

are not pixel-based and are often tangible.

Art is important to our humanity. If you are

in a place where the arts are not supported,

it is stifling to the community.

KK: For the young professional, it enriches

their life. Being part of the community

makes you feel like you are working toward

something beyond your job.

NMJ: Art is a barrier for a lot of people.

Kansas City allows people to see that it is

not a culture or status thing. It’s a human thing.

LV: We in our professional lives think about

different things all day long. Engaging in

the arts is a break for your brain.

What do you think the legacy of art has

been in Kansas City, and what do you

think it will be?

AG: I think with all the talent that is

burgeoning right now that we are only

going to see really great things. It’s a really

great time to buy art, because something

you may buy now because you love it may

belong to the next great artist.

EA: I think the legacy is the infrastructure and

the investment that has been made. It will

help the arts community grow even more.

NMJ: It’s really impressive how much it

is growing and how quickly. In the last 15

years, we got an addition to the Nelson

[Bloch Building] and the creation of the

Kauffman Center.

KK: We’ve always had a really good

stronghold nationwide. I’ve always felt

like we have been in the top five art centers

across the nation.

JV: The thing that I like about it a lot is that

there are so many things that you could say

are artistic or creative around here. There

are so many opportunities to immerse yourself

in art in this city. It permeates the community.

NMJ: It’s almost atmospheric. When you

think about the art deco buildings downtown,

even those are beautiful buildings. Then, we

have the murals all over town. Literally,

everywhere you look there is art. And the

fountains. You can’t not look at art in

Kansas City.

What makes the Nelson so special to you?

LV: I came here when I was little and took art

classes and was tortured by my mother by

walking through the galleries, so I thought.

Now, being in education, I realize that not a

lot of parents do that with their children.

NMJ: My mother is an artist, so I was

dragged around here as a kid, too. For me,

it’s a way to stay connected to the arts side.

I am involved with a lot of other professional

organizations, but this organization is my

passion group.

AG: The collection here is so broad and

so deep. It’s one of the best in the United

States. There’s such a feeling of community

here. On any given Saturday, you’ll see people

doing Tai Chi on the lawn or playing

Frisbee. It doesn’t matter if everyone who

walks through the door understands every

piece. It belongs to all of us.

JV: I had a bench where I used to read. It

feels very lived in here.

NMJ: At other museums, you feel like here

is the art and here is the viewer, but here, I

agree, there is that lived-in quality.

resources: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

nelson-atkins.org




WORKINGMICHAEL

SMITH

Chef Michael Smith peels shrimp faster

than anyone he knows. He peels 10 pounds

of shrimp in seven minutes. He has honed

that speed and skill since the age of 12 when

he began working in a seafood restaurant

kitchen managed by his mother.

Chef Smith has come a long way since the

early 1980s when he answered a want ad

for Chateau Pyrenees, a French restaurant

in Denver. Smith began his professional

culinary career there, studying under mentor

Chef Jean Pierre Lelievre.

Smith worked in top restaurants in southern

France and Chicago during the early stages

of his career. He came to Kansas City in

1994 as the executive and corporate chef

at The American Restaurant. While there,

he earned a James Beard Foundation award

in 1999 for Best Chef in the Midwest. Today,

Smith’s tapas restaurant Extra Virgin and

flagship restaurant Michael Smith draw

adventurous diners to Kansas City’s

Crossroads Arts District.

His day begins at 8 a.m. in the office.

“First thing, I check the bank account, email

and online news about the Denver Broncos,”

he says. He noshes on a strawberry tart,

when in season, and drinks espresso while

skimming The Kansas City Star and The

New York Times. “Then I’ll spend 15 to 20

minutes dealing with paperwork and mail.”

Afterward, Smith cooks and assists

with prep work until noon. He says, “I

cook 99 percent of wine dinners and

special event dinners. The sous chefs

and kitchen staff work their stations. I’ll

check the walk-in cooler and find unused

or leftover ingredients and make them

into a meal for the staff, a soup, sauce or

daily special so there’s no waste.”

When not in the kitchen, he checks wine and

liquor orders as they come in and helps to seat

guests. He meets wine sales representatives up

to a dozen times a week to taste product

and hear their latest pitch. A farmer drops

by with two stuffed bags of spring onions

that will make their way onto a menu.

Mundane details, even distributing

clean towels daily to his kitchen team,

have an underlying purpose. “They only

get so many. Otherwise, they’ll use them up

quickly,” Smith says. Laundry is a cost

hidden to diners that Smith manages as a

business owner. “You can always tell a

novice cook from an experienced one.

The young ones always use up their towels

and aren’t prepared for dinner service.”

HARD ACTTO FOLLOW:

CHEFMICHAEL SMITH

story by PETE DULIN


Working_Michael_Smith_KCO_QF.indd 38 10/7/13 12:42 PM

WORKINGMICHAEL

SMITH

KANSAS CITY’S AWARD-WINNING

CHEFSKansas City is home to numerous James Beard

Foundation award-winning chefs––an impressive feat and

testament to the city’s culinary talent. In addition to Chef

Michael Smith, fellow James Beard Award winners include:

Between 2 and 4 p.m., Smith peruses cookbooks that might inspire menu ideas or he

checks email on his laptop. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., when he expedites orders, visits

tables, help his cooks with prep or de-bones chicken thighs that will be stuffed with chorizo

and fig and cooked as medallions in a wood-fired oven.

“At 5 p.m., the show is on. No matter how you feel, you put on a smile and take care of the

customer,” Smith says. “You’re always on socially. Your name is on the door. Some people want

to see and meet the chef running the restaurant. 99 percent of the time, it’s awesome.”

His day winds down anywhere between 11 p.m. and midnight, except for Wednesday

nights when he ceases work at 8 p.m. to have dinner with his children.

“Running a restaurant involves brains and brawn. It’s a physical job,” Smith says. The

creativity of preparing cuisine that pleases guests is offset by the labor. “You work all day

long. It’s rare to have down time. There’s always plenty to do.”

Smith emphasizes that the work is fun too. He’s eating and tasting food throughout the day.

When he falls into a creative rut, he’ll explore a cooking technique or cuisine. Recently, he

launched “Big Night,” a prix fixe Italian tasting menu served every Wednesday night. This

special prompts him to focus on learning how to make different pastas by hand and teach

the method to his cooks. He says, “It’s fun to learn a new process.”

Even for a top-ranked veteran chef, managing a restaurant is demanding. “It’s hard to

run a business and be creative at the same time,” Smith says.

In the case of Chef Michael Smith and the consistently delicious food prepared at his two

adjacent restaurants, he remains a hard act to follow.

resources: Michael Smith michaelsmithkc.com, Extra Virgin extravirginkc.com, Red Door

Grill reddoorgrill.com, Julian juliankc.com, Bluestem bluestemkc.com, Rye ryekc.com

DEBBIE GOLD

Red Door Grill (formerly with The Ameri

can)

CELINA TIO Julian, Collection & The Belfry

COLBY GARRELTS Bluestem & Rye





WORKINGBLACK &VEATCH

With trillions of dollars needed globally to

address the infrastructure demands of a world

population that has surpassed 7 billion people,

there perhaps is no better time to be in an

industry that addresses energy, water,

communications and security. It’s no

wonder Black & Veatch continues to garner

loyalty and attract new professionals to

its workforce.

The Kansas City area company, founded

in 1915, is a leading global engineering,

consulting and construction provider that

specializes in what the company refers to

as “Critical Human Infrastructure™.”

The global demand for the services it

provides is evident from the company’s

place on Forbes “500 Largest Private

Companies in the United States” list

and in its prominent industry rankings

in Engineering News-Record. According

to Black & Veatch Chief Administrative

Officer Jim Lewis, the company’s plan is to

grow at a double-digit rate annually while

it further expands its presence around the

world. All of this, says Lewis, will create

more career opportunities for a diverse

set of professionals.

“We achieved record-setting performance in

2012, have continued that strong momentum

this year and project continued growth in

the years ahead,” Lewis says. “As global needs

for the energy, water, telecommunications and

security services that we provide increases

rapidly, we will continue to expand our

capabilities to meet the complex challenges

our clients face.”

Company statistics speak volumes. In

December 2011, Black & Veatch had

8,900 professionals worldwide. Today,

that number has surpassed 10,000 – a 13

percent increase in 20 months. In the

summer of 2013 alone, Black & Veatch

hosted nearly 100 college interns.

Black & Veatch’s growth stems from the

increasing demand for mobile devices and

instant communications. It is based on the

desire for more energy to fuel a growing

global economy; and in the ever important

need for access to clean water. These global

trends have led the company to also expand

its construction and procurement business

that has grown to nearly one-third of its

revenue and created a 33 percent increase in

construction and procurement staff since 2011.

GLOBAL DEMAND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FUELS

BL ACK & VEATCH’S EXPANSIONstory by SUSAN FOTOVICH MCCABE | photo by PETE DULIN


Working_BlackandVeatch_KCO_QF.indd 42 10/7/13 12:47 PM

WORKINGBLACK &VEATCH

Black & Veatch Gives Opportunities

to Young Professionals

As Black & Veatch continues to grow its

global presence and workforce, young

professionals will play a critical role in

the company’s future. According to Black &

Veatch’s Director of Global Talent Acquisition,

Chris Gould, young professionals are

important to both Black & Veatch and the

industry as a whole.

Gould cites significant growth in the areas

of energy, water, telecommunications and

projects that require skills in engineering,

science, technology and construction.

Growing at a fast pace across all continents

of the world, the need to develop the human

i n f r a s t r u c t u r e

necessary for

people to live

is rapidly

advancing

the need for

a steady flow

of talent entering

the industry.

“Young professionals are given a

chance to train and grow with our current

professionals at Black & Veatch, as well as

to contribute immediately,” Gould says.

“They play a critical role in the day-to-day

function of our organization.”

Gould says Black & Veatch recruits from

a set of core colleges and universities that

specialize in engineering and construction

and through pre-college efforts, like Project

Lead the Way and First Robotics. With the

right skill set, he says, today’s youth will

have the opportunity to grow and develop

long and interesting careers around the globe.

Opening dOOrs fOr the next generatiOn

Black & Veatch was part of a consortium

for the construction of the T-BAR Well field

project that can deliver up to 20 million

gallons of water per day to Midland, Texas.

This fast-track project was completed in

less than 12 months to provide needed water

supplies to the drought- stricken region.

The company is currently working on

a major engineering, procurement and

construction air quality control retrofit

project at the Columbia Energy Center in

Wisconsin, co-owned and operated by

Wisconsin Power and Light Company

(WPL). This work will further reduce

emissions from WPL’s largest coal-fired

power plant.

Black & Veatch is providing its PRICO

technology for Exmar on the world’s first

floating LNG liquefaction, regasification

and storage unit. The facility will be a

non-propelled barge moored to a jetty,

supplied with natural gas by pipeline from

an onshore field in Colombia. The unit will

then deliver the LNG to world markets.

The company has also delivered eight

onshore LNG facilities in China with

an additional 10 projects underway

throughout the country. These LNG

facilities are used to fuel natural gas

transportation vehicles.

In a city near Beijing, the company’s work

can be seen at the Bazhou LNG facility for

the production of natural gas for the Hebei

Huaqi Natural Gas Company, Ltd. Partnering

with Chemtex, Black & Veatch designed

and built the facility that provides LNG for

city buses, trucks and fueling stations.

Black & Veatch’s global presence is in

response to its clients’ needs to address

a growing population in both developed

and emerging markets. The company has

expanded into the Gulf Cooperation Council

region and further into India, a move

related to the growing demand for water

reuse, power and oil and gas work.

“In emerging market countries, when

you put in a power plant or water system,

it dramatically improves the lives of its

citizens,” Lewis says. “In fact, we hired one

young engineer who was born in Kenya and

graduated from a local university. She told

us she was attracted to Black & Veatch for

this very reason.”

Black & Veatch’s Mission, “Building a

World of Difference,” often attracts talented

professionals to the company, Lewis says.

In the coming years, Black & Veatch

expects to grow through the addition of

engineers, technicians, construction, project

controls and procurement jobs, as well as

its the various business support functions

required to meet its clients’ expectations.

Lewis, who has been with the Kansas City

company for 39 years, says professionals

enjoy the company’s stock ownership plan,

its commitment to the communities around

the world and its efforts to educate a future

generation of engineering and technical

professionals. Its company professionals

participate in efforts such as Engineers

without Borders, Project Lead the Way and

First Robotics.

“As we grow, our professionals

reap the benefits of the value we have

created here through their ownership in

the company,” Lewis says. “When you

combine our growth with our mission and

commitment to the community, it’s a very

exciting time to work at Black & Veatch.”

resources: Black & Veatch bv.com



27 KU undergrad and graduate programs for working professionals

New ProgramsEducational TechnologyEnvironmental AssessmentExercise ScienceProject Management

Learn more, do more, and be more with KU in Overland Park.

anything.ku.edu

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, WE’VE BEEN PROUD TO SERVE AS KANSAS CITY’S DESIGN PARTNER.

COLLABORATION

THAT RUNS DEEP.

ARCHITECTURE

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Forming Partnerships. Delivering Results.

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What’s not to love?PLATTE COUNTY, MO



LIVING

GOOGLE FIBER..............48

DOWNTOWN..................49

PLAZA.............................52

CROSSROADS...............56

KANSAS CITY, KAN.......62

NORTHLAND..................64

OVERLAND PARK..........66

INDEPENDENCE............71

LEE’S SUMMIT...............72

OTHER CITIES...............73


Living_SplashPage_KCO_QF.indd 47 10/7/13 1:59 PM

LIVINGDOWNTOWN

Ben Lee, creative manager by day and illustrator by night, is a

downtown dweller, and he loves it. Lee grew up in Maryland, where

he was drawn to the entertainment industry and pop culture.

“I was attracted to anime when I was growing up, so that’s where my

style really began to develop,” Lee says. “My style is animated now with

urban and anime influences. Really, my influences constantly grow.”

Lee’s work within marketing and advertising forms the basis of his

creative personality. His goal is to create stories and experiences through

his work, both in marketing and the world of animation. In his

professional life, Lee strikes a balance between practicality and

creativity, a juxtaposition he also finds in his home in the Westside

neighborhood, just west of the Crossroads Arts District downtown.

After graduating from The Kansas City Art Institute, Lee decided to

remain in Kansas City.

The Westside neighborhood—around 17th and Summit—is a source

of inspiration for Lee. Westside Local, a farm-to-table restaurant, is a

source of creative energy in terms of food innovation. Little Freshie

takes the childhood treat of snow cones to the next level with

natural, homemade flavors, such as blackberry lavender. The

Calico Beard & Mercantile, a salon complete with a mercantile of

handmade and vintage goods, and Utilitarian Workshop, a design

studio and retail co-op, are equally creative in their industries. Besides

the shops, Lee finds the Westside to be a great place to take a walk on

a beautiful day.

“I also like the West Bottoms, which people tend to forget about

since it is not conventional, pretty and inviting,” Lee says. “The buildings

down there are just beautiful, and their age really gives the area a

lot of character.”

Downtown Kansas City is also filled with a plethora of historic

landmarks and one-of-a-kind attractions, monuments and hideaways.

Lee takes particular joy in one iconic figure.

“I love the cow monument off of the 12th Street Bridge. I don’t

know why it is there, but I just love that it is,” Lee says. Once

a memorial to the stockyards, the cow, like so many other local

landmarks downtown, is cherished for its history and for the new

memories made.

resources: The Westside Local thewestsidelocal.com, Little Freshie

littlefreshie.com, Calico Beard & Mercantile thecalicobeard.com,

Utilitarian Workshop utilitarianworkshop.com

ARTIST AT WORKDOWNTOWN



Living_Downtown_KCO_QF.indd 49 10/7/13 2:04 PM

LIVINGDOWNTOWN

Ben Lee’sKC Favorites

THE SHIPA Kansas City tavern

opened after the

repeal of prohibition,

The Ship is now

an event space that

is more than meets the

eye upon entering.

MANIFESTOThe old-school lounge in

the basement of The

Rieger Hotel Grill &

Exchange, which is

a KC favorite for

its cocktails using

seasonal and local

ingredients.

WEST 18TH ST.FASHION SHOWKC’s premier fashion event

showcases the clothing,

makeup, hair and

modeling prowess

of local designers.

resources: The Ship

theship.com, Manifesto

thereigerkc.com/manifesto,

West 18th St. Fashion Show

westeighteenthstreet.com

photo by EMILY MOORE


Living_Downtown_KCO_QF.indd 50 10/7/13 2:07 PM

LIVINGDOWNTOWN

With so many sights to see, places to go

and ways to get downtown, it’s hard to

list them all, but here are a few you won’t

want to miss.

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSEGet the most out of your movie

viewing experience with

Alamo Drafthouse in

downtown’s Power

& Light District.

Founded 16 years

ago in Austin, Texas,

this theater chain has

grown from a simple,

single-screen startup

business to a cinematic hot

spot for fans and professionals alike. Enjoy a

casual meal and a cold beer during the film.

See an old-school favorite in a Drafthouse

Film School screening. And don’t miss events

like Quote-Alongs, HeckleVision and chick

flicks during Girlie Night.

COSENTINO’S Lifestyle dietary needs, including vegan

and gluten-free, are easy to satisfy with all

of Cosentino’s grocery options. With online

shopping, delivery and free underground

parking, the store can cater to any lifestyle.

Also, Cosentino’s caters events, complete

with balloons and floral arrangements.

THE JONES POOLThe Jones Pool is a rooftop oasis with

a view and swimming experience unlike

any other. Book a summer celebration for

up to 450 guests and enjoy private cabanas,

a DJ, KC Live! catering and raised decks

for sunbathing. With the swim-up bar,

you never have to leave the water to get

your favorite cocktails. Bring a smaller

group of friends to the Jones’ weekly

summer events.

KC STREET CARIn summer 2015, the

long-awaited Kansas City

Street Car is scheduled to hit

the streets. This new addition

to KC’s public transportation

options will connect Union Station

and Crown Center to the River Market

area, with about a 4-mile round trip

span. The Crossroads, Power &

Light and Central Business

districts will also be on

the route, and more

than 10 million yearly

visitors, employers and

residents will benefit

from the streetcar’s

services.

SPRINT CENTERThe Sprint Center hosts

concerts almost every week with artists

for all tastes, from country to pop to classic

rock. Catch a college basketball game,

wrestling match or other favorite sporting

event. The Center’s luxurious seating—

enough for 19,000 plus 72 suites—and

its technology features are sure to make your

experience a memorable one. In addition to

all this, The Sprint Center also ranked

number three on concert and Pollstar

Magazine’s America’s Busiest Arenas list.

POWER & LIGHT DISTRICTNightlife takes on a new meaning in

the Power & Light District, with more

than 40 restaurants and bars to keep your

visit interesting. The “living room” space

features plush, outdoor seating, Kansas

City’s largest outdoor video screen and a

great view of the stage, which has been

host to acts like Ryan Lewis & Macklemore

and KC’s Rock the Block Fashion show.

Bar- and club-wise, The Hotel Nightclub

provides a high-energy

music environment.

Mosaic Lounge

is the perfect

place for

a glass of

champagne

and PBR

Big Sky

brings the

Midwest back to

downtown KC.

resources: Alamo Drafthouse drafthouse.com,

Cosentino’s cosentinos.com, The Jones

Pool thejoneskc.com, KC Street Car

kcstreetcar.com, Sprint Center sprintcenter.com

story by JILL POWERS | photos by PAUL ANDREWS


Living_Downtown_KCO_QF2.indd 51 10/7/13 4:22 PM

LIVINGPLAZA

For many Kansas Citians, the Plaza holds a special place in

their hearts. The Country Club Plaza, built using Spanish architectural

style in 1922, was the first open-air shopping district in the

nation designed with the car in mind. Over the years, it has

gathered a lot of history and a lot of memories, but for Rob

Schroeder, the Plaza is home.

“I’ve lived in the Hemingway condo building on the Plaza now for

more than 10 years. It’s a great location. We also have a fantastic rooftop

deck for entertaining,” Schroeder says. “What I love about living on the

Plaza is the convenience of being able to walk out my front door and

across the bridge over Brush Creek to go out for dinner, drinks, shopping

or to see a movie, and I never have to worry about parking my car, which

especially comes in handy when the Plaza hosts big events.”

With traditional American food at The Classic Cup, delectable

steaks at Plaza III and new favorites like Mexican-inspired Zócalo, it is

easy to find something new to try at the Plaza daily.

Gram & Dun is the latest of the nightly hot spots for those

wishing to eat and drink delicious food and cocktails and enjoy

a view, too, as the restaurant has a large patio with a view facing

local landmark Brush Creek.

“I discovered an amazing appetizer there recently, Asian Pig

Wings, with a sake soy glaze, cilantro and sambal that I definitely

recommend,” Schroeder says.

The Plaza isn’t all about food. Since 1922, it has been a premium

shopping destination. Standard Style, denim designer Matt

Baldwin’s original boutique, includes pieces from lines such as

rag & bone, Marc by Marc Jacobs and, of course, Baldwin Denim,

worn by the likes of Jay-Z and Jason Sudeikis. Kate Spade New

York is also, fittingly, open on the Plaza, as Kate Spade is a native of

Kansas City. Popular chains such as H&M, Anthropologie and

J. Crew also call the Country Club Plaza home.

Cinemark Palace on the Plaza provides a rich movie-going experience.

Unity Temple, a spiritual center across the street, hosts talks from

people like Chef Ina Garten and Caroline Kennedy.

With all of this happening on the Plaza on a near daily basis,

it’s easy to see why Schroeder and others call it home.

THE PLAZA MAGICstory by ERICKA CHERRY | photo by PAUL ANDREWS

resources: The Country Club Plaza countryclubplaza.com, The Classic Cup classiccup.com, Plaza III plazaiiikcsteakhouse.com, Zócalo zocalokc.com,

Gram & Dun gramanddun.com, Standard Style standardstyle.com, Baldwin Denim baldwindenim.com, Cinemark Palace cinemark.com,

Unity Temple unitytemple.com


Living_Plaza_KCO_QF.indd 52 10/7/13 2:12 PM

LIVINGPLAZA

Plaza EvEntsto Put on

Your CalEndar

Besides permanent shops and restaurants, the Country Club Plaza

hosts multiple popular events.

WATERFIRETorchbearers ride along Brush Creek as

the October sun sets over Kansas City and

light wood in the braziers float gently atop

the water. When the process is completed,

an awe-inspiring sight awaits the viewer—

the illusion of a creek lit on fire. Local

musicians and dancers perform, completing

the breathtaking, autumnal sight.

THE PLAZA ART FAIRMore than 240 artists, 27 Plaza restaurant

booths and three live music stages make up this

event. Each autumn, the streets of the Country

Club Plaza become the “halls” of an outdoor

art gallery. In a town where art is integral to

the culture, this is an event not to be missed.

KCP&L PLAZA LIGHTSOn Thanksgiving evening, the buildings of

the Plaza are lit—by a local celebrity, such as

Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cam on “Modern

Family”—for the holiday season. The

one-of-a-kind event ushers in the season

with holiday parties and shopping on the

Plaza. The lights shine each evening from

5 p.m. to 3 a.m. through the second week

of January.

resources: WaterFire Kansas City

waterfirekc.com, Plaza Art Fair and KCP&L

Plaza Lights countryclubplaza.com



We depend on our local partners including the Kansas City Royals, KU Coach Bill Self,

Garmin, Tyson, the Kelly Family Foundation, the Dunn Family, the Ball Family and many others.

Visit www.KVC.org to see how you can join us in helping area kids.

21350 West 153rd StreetOlathe, KS 66061

913.322.4900

People matter.KVC Health Systems helps more than 40,000 children through foster care,

adoption and behavioral healthcare services.




LIVINGCROSSROADS


IN THE

CROSSROADS

HOURS


Living_Crossroads_KCO_QF.indd 56 10/7/13 2:58 PM

LIVINGCROSSROADS

7 p.m.GRÜNAUER

A cold, gentle rain falls over the city this

evening. Tonight, the best way to prepare for

First Friday, a monthly gallery walk held

year-round in the Crossroads Art District, is

with the rich, Austrian dishes of Grünauer.

Many other people have had the same idea,

so I settle into a spot at the beautiful bar and

enjoy a citrusy Stiegl Radler, a grapefruit-

flavored, Austrian beer, a surefire cure for the

chill in the air. Once seated in the dining room,

I take in the rustic grandeur of the Freight

House, a historic railroad building converted

into restaurant space. For the ultimate

comfort, I order the Schnitzel a la Grünauer, a

breaded and pan sautéed pork cutlet stuffed

with creamed spinach, served with mashed

potatoes. By the end, I am satisfyingly full,

but I still take a moment to consider the

apfel strudel mit schlag, a traditional apple

strudel with marinated raisins and fresh

whipped cream.

8 p.m.TODD WEINER GALLERY

I hit the pavement in the Crossroads and end

up at the Todd Weiner Gallery. Upstairs,

various local artists are spread between

numerous rooms. Weaving through the

doors, I discover local artist Brad Ultican’s

graphite drawings

of local

landmarks and hidden gems, such as the

Western Auto Building and Union Station.

After trying to locate each spot in my mind,

I pass a live light installation and pause at the

end of the hall in front of the figurative

sculptures of E.S. Schubert, which are

precise and animated. Downstairs, Michael

Young is exhibiting his colorful, intricate and

culturally relevant pieces. “Trouble in the Pet

Shop” is a layered peek into a chaotic pet shop

that requires a good, long look to catch

every detail. In the back room, Michael’s

enthusiastic son, Ian, exhibits his paintings,

which are playable versions of classic board

games. “Mouse Trappings” and “Operating

Table” are Ian’s hyper-colorful take on the

games Mouse Trap and Operation.

9 p.m.GLIMPSE FLASH ART SPACE

Glimpse Flash Art Space, a peek into the

art scene in Lawrence, Kan., has made its

way up to Kansas City this Friday to share

its offerings. When I enter, a band belts

out folksy tunes next to the entrance and

behind them hangs a horse made entirely of

keys from computer keyboards. The perimeter

of the gallery is a mix of paintings including

the fairytale-like works of Paul Flinders.

“Say Yes,” one of Flinder’s creatures, faces

the viewer with its mouth wide open, as

if he is embracing the title’s maxim. Yuri

Zupancic created a piece at which

it is also hard not to stare—an

embellished microchip.

Finally, Wink eyewear

ends the collective

exhibition with

many well-designed

frames and a great

staff. By the end,

they convince me

that I just might

need glasses, if

only to own one

of their attractive

spectacle designs.

10 p.m.MANIFESTO

After walking from gallery to gallery

along the rainy streets, I stop in Manifesto,

the basement bar in The Rieger Hotel Grill &

Exchange, to warm up. Imagine a speakeasy

for the modern age. Seasonal cocktails are

listed on the menu in delicious detail. I am

torn between the Cranberry Cobbler—

Ransom Old Tom Gin, Alvear Amontillado

Sherry, lemon, orange, cranberry, honey and

cinnamon—and Ward & Precinct—Buffalo

Trace Bourbon, lemon, orange, homemade

grenadine and Angostura Bitters. This dimly

lit, intimate watering hole is the perfect

place to wind down after First Friday.

SATURDAY10 a.m.MILDRED’S COFFEEHOUSE

After a night spent visiting gallery after

gallery, I refuel at Mildred’s Coffeehouse.

The laid-back vibe sets the right tone for

a day exploring the Crossroads at a

more relaxed pace. I enjoy a latte and a

made-from-scratch cinnamon roll. Groups

of young adults and several parents with

happy, small children occupy small tables and

couches in the cozy café.

resources: Grünauer grunauerkc.com, Todd

Weiner Gallery toddweinergallery.com, Mildred’s

Coffeehouse mildredscoffeehouse.com

FRIDAY

57 Brought to you by KCADC & Anthem Publishing


LIVINGCROSSROADS 12 p.m.

BLACK BAMBOOBlack Bamboo is a home furnishings store

selling a vast array of Asian antiques mixed

with modern furniture and accessories. Good

design lives here, and it’s just the place to

complete a particular vision. The owners’

frequent trips to China and Southeast

Asia provide a collection of goods that

cannot be found anywhere else. Pieces

by North American artisans round out

an eclectic selection from which to pick

up a great gift for a close friend or the

right lamp for an empty side table.

Featured in Architectural Digest, Better

Homes and Gardens and Elle Décor,

Black Bamboo is full of interesting pieces,

which its staff is glad to show off.

1 p.m.HAMMERPRESS

After I pick up a gift at Black Bamboo, I

need a card to go with it. Kansas City’s

Hammerpress carries artfully designed

and printed cards. While there, I

ponder Hammerpress’s posters, art

prints and paper goods, and consider

buying way more than I came for.

Hammerpress has done great work for

local businesses, such as Little Freshie,

a soda fountain and espresso bar in the

Westside neighborhood, and Pizzabella,

an artisanal pizzeria in the heart of the

Crossroads. I jot down a note to remind

me that I want to order Hammerpress

business cards in the future, because their

intriguing die-cut edges, bright colors and

old-fashioned fonts are too hard to resist.

2 p.m.PIZZABELLA

With that much shopping done

since breakfast, I decide that lunch is in

order. A big slice of wood-fired pizza

made with fresh ingredients is the specialty

at Pizzabella, and it sounds pretty darn good

to me. I enjoy a cold drink while perusing

the menu. Whatever the season, the opening

act of my Pizzabella meal must be the

Brussels sprouts. Childhood’s most hated

side is turned into a decadent, buttery

concoction at Pizzabella. Adorned with

pancetta, red cranberries, almonds and

vinaigrette, this dish certainly gets my

appetite going. I order a classic Margherita

pizza—tomato, garlic and fresh mozzarella—

for a classic Italian treat.

3 p.m.CHRISTOPHER ELBOWARTISAN CHOCOLATES

A flavorful meal should naturally end

with chocolate. I head over to Christopher

Elbow’s storefront, Kansas City’s Wonka

Factory. Clean lines and white counters

show off the beautiful chocolate selection.

Behind the counter, yellow, red, green

and purple-hued chocolates stand out

in artistic beauty. Fleur de Sel is a delicious

way to start with chocolate filled with

caramel and French grey sea salt. For the

adventurous palate, lavender caramel in a

purple shell is a surprisingly delicious flavor

combination and the seasonal rosemary

caramel, dressed in bright green, excites

the senses. Fair warning: I went in for

one piece and left with an entire box.

4 p.m.RETRO INFERNO

With a full stomach, two floors and

10,000 square feet of classic 20th century

furnishings and collectibles does not seem

quite as daunting as I head into Rod

Parks’ home furnishing store, Retro Inferno.

It bursts at the seams with mid-century

modern furnishings. Groovy, domed

lamps and red chairs hearken back to a

different time. Hard to miss is the giant

“Inferno” sign, which Parks acquired

from an old, local club.

resources: Black Bamboo black-bamboo.com,

Hammerpress hammerpress.net, Pizzabella

pizzabellakc.com, Christopher Elbow Artisan

Chocolates elbowchocolates.com



LIVINGCROSSROADS

FACES OF THECROSSROADS


ROD PARKS Rod Parks, owner

of Retro Inferno, has

made a life out of his

passion for well-designed

home goods.

When did Retro Inferno

open, and what is the idea

behind it?

Retro Inferno opened in June 1998 on

17th and Main and on Grand Boulevard in

2004. It started when I became obsessed

with mid-century modern furniture design.

I started accumulating tons of this furniture

to the point where I had a warehouse full

of it. I began to wonder whether or not I

could make a living out of my love for this

particular type of design. I had been travel-

ing quite a bit; I had been to New York and

L.A., so I had seen many of these types of

stores gaining success.

What is the appeal of the mid-century

modern look?

The appeal is very much the same as when

it was first made. It has this exuberance and

lightness. It was created in a period of

optimism, and that really shows in the

design. People are very attracted to

that. The pieces have also stood the test

of time, which makes them continue to

work with modern designs.

How do people decorate

with these pieces without

going over the top?

The era in they

were designed in

does not necessarily

determine their beauty;

it is their solid design

that makes them beautiful.

Good design really works in any

environment. Mid-century modern pieces

can be used as accent pieces and pops of

color to great effect.

What do you love about the Crossroads?

When I came to the area, there were a lot

of people doing interesting things. At the

time, you could buy a ton of space for

cheap, so a lot of artists were attracted.

They really turned it into a burgeoning

scene and the popular destination that it

is today. I really felt like I belonged

in this neighborhood, in terms

of art and design, which is

why I have never left.

MALISA MONYAKULA

Owner of Lulu’s Thai

Noodle Shop, Monyakula

is passionate about the

food she creates and her

restaurant’s atmosphere.

What makes Thai food a fulfilling medium

for cooking?

I think Thai food is enjoyable to prepare

and eat because it is so unlike any other type

of cuisine. Although the surrounding countries

of China, India, Burma, Laos, Malaysia and

Vietnam influence Thai cooking, it is

completely different from American and

European cuisines. It’s also so healthy and

light and spicy for spice lovers.

What was the inspiration for LuLu’s

colorful decor?

My husband and I wanted to express

2010 Bangkok. In Thailand, there are no

zoning laws, so industry, markets and

residential areas are all neighbors. We

wanted the environment to be welcoming and

laid-back.

What do you cook for

yourself at home?

Italian, American,

Mexican, Japa-

nese and, of

course, Thai.

resources:

Retro Inferno

retroinferno.com,

Lulu’s Thai Noodle

Shop lulusnoodles.com


Living_Crossroads_KCO_QF2.indd 59 10/7/13 5:09 PM

LIVINGCROSSROADS

PEGGY NOLANDFashion designer Peggy

Noland has a vision for

clothing all her own. With

her eye-catching, local

storefronts and international

presence, Noland is making

a splash worldwide.

Discuss how fashion and art can

intermingle.

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.

I think it’s dependent on the intention of the

creator, and the ideas of the wearer. I have

clothing that I consider art, because it was

made by an artist. I have other clothing

that I don’t consider art because it was

made for money.

Where are some of your favorite places

to go in the Crossroads?

I loved West 18th Street before I had a

shop there. My dad would take me there

when I was a teenager, and I always felt

like I was being let in on a secret. These

days I hope it’s not still a secret to people,

because I want them to come and visit us,

but I hope it still holds that appeal.

What or who is inspiring you right now?

My friend Seth Bogard’s artwork is always

so inspirational to me. His store is called

Wacky Wacko. I am always amazed by

those artists who can stay true to their

vision and find a way to make a living

from their work. Or, those who don’t care

if they make a living or not but are true to

what they do and have enough confidence

to put it into the world.

Your storefront installations are incredible.

Do you have a favorite installation or one

that stands out to you at the moment?

The big green hand is my favorite, because it

was the first time I explored that medium. I felt

very proud of what we had done. At each step

I thought,

“There is

no way

this is going

to work,”

but it did

and ended up

being a sculpture

that pushed me

forward. The HUGE SALE

installation is the most interesting to me. It

has more content for me than the other ones.

BROOKE FAIRCHILDAs a young professional working in

the communications world, Brooke

Fairchild represents the strong presence

of young professionals found in the

Crossroads, creating an environment of

entrepreneurship and growing enterprise

in the area of innovation.

Tell me about your position at Crossroads,

Barkley’s public relations firm.

As account supervisor at Crossroads, I

manage a lot of the day-to-

day contact with clients

and work to provide

strategic counsel

and reputation

management for

brands across a

wide variety of

communicat ion

channels.

Why is the firm

named Crossroads?

Well, for one, we are

located in the Crossroads Arts

District. We were also looking for a name

that represents what we do. With the

convergence of traditional communication

and social media, many brands can find

themselves at a crossroads when it comes

to engaging and effectively communicating

with the public.

What should aspiring PR/marketing

gurus know about the communications

world in KC?

We have some of the most talented,

creative and hardworking professionals

right here in Kansas City. Additionally,

people don’t realize how many great national

brands are based right here in KC, including

Lee Jeans, Hallmark, Sprint and more.

There are endless opportunities to grow

in the communication field here, whether

you’re looking for an agency, corporation or

non-profit.

What do you enjoy about working in

the Crossroads?

All the little shops and great restaurants.

It’s nice to be able to get out of the office,

stroll down the street and be inspired by all the

local shops, artists and entrepreneurs doing

what they love in Kansas City.

Where is your favorite

place to eat in

the Crossroads?

Drink? Shop?

That is a

really tough

q u e s t i o n !

Pizzabella and

Extra Virgin

are my favorite

places to eat

in the area. For

drinks, I love the

atmosphere of Tannin

[Wine Bar]. And my favorite

shops are Christopher Elbow

Chocolates and Cellar Rat for wine.

resources: Peggy Noland peggynoland.com,

Crossroads PR crossroads.us



Bumble and bumble’s downtown salon

in New York is impressive. With great

views of the city and an open floor plan,

it’s easy to feel like a million bucks before

hair styling even begins. Sound good?

Look no further than Skyline Salon, Kansas

City’s own downtown salon.

As Skyline’s co-owner and former employee

of bumble and bumble, Carmen Gramajo,

explains it, Skyline was a collaboration

between a group of friends who wanted

to create a destination salon.

“Our landlord thought we were crazy

for putting the salon on the fourth floor

[of the historic Firestone building], but

we wanted to give customers a great view

of Kansas City. We knew if we could get

people in, we could do great work and

feature Kansas City,” Gramajo says.

The design of Skyline Salon is remarkable. It

is hard to believe there isn’t a trained designer

on staff. Besides the view of downtown from

Grand Boulevard and the expansive space,

Skyline is arranged so customers enter and

exit in separate doors to avoid traffic. Each

station has KC’s skyline depicted on the top in

wood created by Utilitarian Workshop. And in

a brilliant departure from typical shampooing

stations, Skyline projects muted, old movies

on the wall before the stations so customers

have something to watch while they get their

hair washed.

“The culture we create is what sets Skyline

apart from other salons,” Gramajo says. “If

we don’t feel confident that someone will

fit nicely into our culture, it doesn’t matter

how much experience they have.”

One member of the Skyline culture is

Heather Haavisto. She was raised in the

suburbs of Sacramento but yearned for

the creativity and excitement of bigger

cities and urban areas.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from walking

around the city streets,” Haavisto says. “I

love vintage and thrift stores, and women

who possess the ability to mix new and

old pieces perfectly. I love to take that

idea and adapt it to hair.”

Haavisto acknowledges the transformative

power of a good haircut, as many stylists do,

but she also recognizes that what she does

is also a mix of not only old and new, but

also art and science.

“Styling and coloring can be creative,

but cutting hair is basically geometry

and coloring is chemistry,” Haavisto

says. “How people operate is also a mix.

Some people are more creative and artful

in their approach, but I prefer the more

technical aspects of cutting hair.”

Skyline Salon is a luxurious, downtown

salon with an artistic vision that speaks

to the creative spirit of its location, the

Crossroads Art District.

resources: Skyline Salon skylinesalon.com

UP IN THEC L O U D S

skyline salon is a new york salon with crossroads swagger

LIVINGCROSSROADS

story by ERICKA CHERRY | photo by CAMERON GEE

HE

ATH

ER HAAVISTO



LIVINGKANSAS CITY, KS

Kansas City, Kan., located in Wyandotte

County, holds its own as an attractive place

to live and work in close proximity to its

larger Kansas City, Mo., counterpart. The city

is rich in cultural history, nearby professional

sporting events, delicious food and a steadily

thriving economic climate appealing to both

young professionals and families.

“It is my hometown, but its everybody’s

hometown. It is that place that we have

all experienced at one time or another,”

says Steven Curtis, a photographer and

community organizer. “It’s an older working

class community where your neighbors

wave at you or talk to you over the fence.

Where you close off the street for a barbecue

or watch the local high school’s Friday night

game. A place where neighborhood bars and

ethnic cafes are mainstream. It’s a place

about people — all kinds of people with all

kinds of ethnic and religious backgrounds. It’s

a mixing pot of people, cultures and ideas.”

That hometown feel is complemented

by thriving growth in the area. Sara Lee

Corporation, General Motors, Cerner

Corporation and Kellogg’s are just a few of

the innovative companies that have chosen

KCK as their home.

For example, Cerner Corp., a major

health care software provider, built a new

$190 million, 660,000-square-foot campus in

2012 that will house an anticipated 4,000

employees. This development will attract

further growth in retail, residential and office

development in the area.

“We have many types of housing

from loft apartments, to multi-family

apartments, renovated older building

with up-to-date features, townhomes

and, of course, single family

homes both new and

‘previously loved,’”

says resident

Cindy Cash,

president and

CEO of KCK’s

Chamber of

Commerce. “We

also have fixer-

uppers for folks

who want to truly make

their home their own, as well as

lots that can be custom built.”

Kansas City has fallen in love with its

newest professional sports team, Sporting

KC, as they consistently bring fierce Major

League Soccer competition to Sporting

Park. The Village West development also

houses the popular and active Kansas

Speedway, offering multiple NASCAR

events and other racing, The Legends

Outlets Kansas City

with stores and

restaurants and

several other

attractions.

“ T h e r e

are also four

golf courses

in Wyandotte

County – one private

and three public as well as

a junior course at Wyandotte

County Park,” notes Cash.

“The park is probably my

favorite place in Wyandotte

County other than my own

backyard. It has playgrounds,

picnic shelters, a marina, a horse

riding trail and hiking trails. In the winter,

we have discovered that the best sledding

hill around is at the park. In the summer,

boating is a treat on the lake that is stocked

with fish annually.”

story and photography by PETE DULIN

LIVINGIN THEDOTTE’


Living_KCK_KCO_QF.indd 62 10/7/13 3:07 PM

LIVINGKANSAS CITY, KS

TOPDESTINATIONS INWYANDOTTE CO.

Village West is home to many major retail stores, entertainment venues and dining destinations.

NEBRASKAFURNITURE MART

CABELA’S

GREAT WOLFLODGE

SCHLITTERBAHNVACATION VILLAGE

HOLLYWOODCASINO

KANSASSPEEDWAY

NASCAR, GRAND-AMsports cars racing and more

COMMUNITYAMERICA BALLPARK

Home of Kansas CityT-Bones Minor League baseball

SPORTING PARK

Home of Sporting KCMajor League Soccer

For indoor activity, shopping and dining

options abound at Legends. Many recog-

nizable names include the local favorite

Arthur Bryant’s barbecue, Jimmy Buffet’s

Cheeseburger in Paradise, Granite City

Food & Brewery, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th,

Aéropostale and Cole Haan, among others.

For foodies, the city is filled with abundant

locally owned places to explore for authentic

Mexican food such as Taqueria Camecuaro,

El Camino Real and El Pollo Rey, as well as

numerous barbecue joints.

“In the last 10 years, the Latino population

has increased, creating an abundance of small

restaurants, bakeries and shops,” says Curtis.

“Central Avenue is alive with foot traffic and

a willing customer base that will shop several

times a week. It’s perfect for small mom-and-

pop stores with food service, groceries and

basic clothing supplies.”

KCK is also home to Strawberry Hill,

a neighborhood established in the late

19th century by immigrants from Croatia

and Slovenia. This very ethnically rich

area preserves and celebrates its culture

through a neighborhood association, museum

and cultural tours. Perhaps truly the best

ambassador of the Hill’s history is povitica,

a swirled bread delicacy produced by several

area companies using treasured family recipes.

“Strawberry Hill and Russian Hill have

also become a gathering place for artists

looking for a great value on a house that

may need a little TLC, but can be purchased

at a very affordable price and still has charm

and historic presence,” Curtis says.

“There are young former suburbanites

that want a diverse experience or are

driven by their faith to live and work in

these neighborhoods.”

“Our community is culturally diverse and

offers families with children the opportunity

to learn about other cultures in our ever-

shrinking world,” Cash says. “The area has

many faith-based communities. Plus, we are

blessed with both the KU Hospital and

Providence Medical Center for health care

and many specialty hospitals and clinics.”

Kansas City, Kan.––the first city in the

world to have Google Fiber service—is

a friendly area that is growing rapidly

without forsaking its charm. “What else I

really like about living in Wyandotte County

is people talk to each other and watch out

for each other,” Cash says.

resources: Legends Outlets legendsshopping.

com, Great Wolf Lodge greatwolf.com, Schlit-

terbahn Vacation Village schlitterbahn.com/kc,

Hollywood Casino hollywoodcasinokansas.com,

Community America Ballpark tbonesbaseball.com


Living_KCK_KCO_QF.indd 63 10/7/13 3:07 PM

LIVINGNORTHLAND

PLATTE COUNTYSome of the best features of the Northland—

the region of Kansas City located north of

the Missouri River—and the entire Kansas

City area, are enclosed in the borders of

Platte County. Surrounded on the west and

south by the Missouri River, Platte County

is a prime destination for water-based

activities, like boating, fishing

or a scenic picnic on the

bank. The Kansas City

International Airport

is also located in

Platte County,

making residents

only hours away

from any city in the

country. One of the

most attractive aspects

of the county, though, is

the environment it provides for

families and young professionals.

Platte County is the ideal place to raise

children. In 2012, the KIDS COUNT

Missouri Data Book called Platte County

the safest, healthiest and best-educated place

for children in the state, and America Promise

Alliance named it to its list of Top 100

communities for young people. For proof,

just look at the school systems and the

county’s students. All four school districts,

which offer a range of student-body sizes from

600 to 10,000, are accredited with the highest

level of distinction by the State of Missouri.

Each of them has sports, fine arts and ex-

tracurricular programs that cultivate

valuable life skills in partici-

pants. One new program,

the Northland Young

Professionals, brings

together young

leaders from Platte

and Clay Counties.

The many members

come together to

form connections and

build their professional

networks. Activities include

presentations from successful

business professionals from the area,

and volunteer and fundraising teams for

nonprofit organizations.

Besides the schools and programs, Platte

County offers many facets that improve

family life. From the shopping and dining

opportunities in Zona Rosa, an outdoor

shopping venue, to Main Street in Parkville,

Mo., to Weston, Mo.’s annual Applefest

to the more than one million square feet of

new, light industrial space in Riverside, Mo.,

there is always something great happening

in Platte County.

CLAY COUNTYClay County is brimming with outdoor

and indoor, active and relaxing destinations.

Smithville Lake is a 7,200-acre lake suitable

for almost any outdoor activity a resident

could want. Take the family camping on one

of more than 700 campsites, or rent a shelter.

Spend the afternoon on one of the lake’s

disc golf courses. Later, take an evening hike

through 25 miles of trails. Rent a boat for

fishing, head to the beach to swim and

finish off the day shooting 18-holes. Clay

may be a Midwestern county, but it possesses

characteristics similar to the east and west.

For instance, for a romantic evening

out, Smithville has a perfect restaurant

destination. Justus Drugstore on Main

Street provides a fine dining experience

beyond the average bite. Bon Appetit

called Justus one of the Top Ten Best New

Romantic Getaways, and Time Magazine

story by Jill POWERS | photos by SCOTT OSWALT

UP NORTH


Living_Northland_KCO_QF.indd 64 10/7/13 12:28 PM

LIVINGNORTHLAND

listed it as one of the Top 10 Food Trends. Enjoy

the locally grown and raised ingredients in its

appetizers, salads and entrées, paired with the

perfect wine from the restaurant’s extravagant list.

Follow everything up with a sweet dessert.

On those days when nothing sounds better than

a little retail therapy, Briarcliff Village in Kansas

City, five minutes north of downtown, provides

an array of shopping experiences. Find the

most stylish accessories for yourself or your best

friend at Finishings For Her. Get the supplies you

need for your latest crafting project from Urban

Arts and Crafts. If your home needs a makeover,

stop at Nell Hill’s for some design help. A local

home décor legend, Nell Hill’s is 16,000 square feet

of seemingly never ending arrangements put together

by a knowledgeable staff. Besides stores, Briarcliff has

restaurants, services and a growing residence life scene

built on a foundation of quality.

When you need some excitement, Clay County

has two fun casino destinations. Harrah’s on

Riverboat Drive and Ameristar on Ameristar

Drive, both in North Kansas City, are great places

to have a good time with your friends. You can have

a couple of drinks and maybe win some extra cash,

all while staying close to home.

Once a year, you can fulfill your craving for

communal celebration of historical tradition with

the Jesse James Festival in Kearney. Countless

other events, including a barbeque, a carnival,

little miss and mister pageants and a rodeo,

commemorate this rich tradition.

With all of these great opportunities for leisure,

dining and celebration, Clay County is a great

place to live. And with Cerner Coporation in

North Kansas City, CEVA Logistics in Kansas

City and Liberty and the Ford plant in Claycomo,

it is also a great place to work. Clay County is

close to the best that Kansas City has to offer

while still providing a small town atmosphere.

resources: Platte County co.platte.mo.us, Northland

Young Professionals northlandyp.com, Zona Rosa

zonarosa.com, Clay County claycountymo.gov, Justus

Drugstore drugstorerestaurant.com, Briarcliff Village

briarcliffvillagekc.com, Harrah’s harrahsnkc.com,

Ameristar Casino Ameristar.com/Kansas_City


Living_Northland_KCO_QF.indd 65 10/7/13 12:28 PM

resources: Platte County plattecountyedc.com,

co.platte.mo.us, Northland Young Professionals

northlandyp.com, Zona Rosa zonarosa.com, Clay

County claycountymo.gov, Justus Drugstore

drugstorerestaurant.com, Briarcliff Village

briarcliffvillagekc.com, Harrah’s harrahsnkc.com,

Ameristar Casino Ameristar.com/Kansas_City

platte_co_KCO.indd 1 11/22/13 10:04 AM

LIVINGOVERLAND PARK

Tucked away from the new, suburban neighborhoods and corporate

business parks sits downtown Overland Park, a part of the city with a

culture, history and vibe all its own.

Adam Brahm, marketing director for the Overland Park Township,

says downtown Overland Park is best-known for its authentic feel and

local activity. More than 300 locally-owned businesses draw patrons to

the area. Supporting the local merchants is an integral part of the

prospering culture.

“People love living here, they love doing business here, they

love shopping here,” Brahm says. “We do everything we can eat

local, shop local. It’s a thriving community around downtown

[Overland Park].”

The biweekly Farmer’s Market, which runs April through

November, is a downtown Overland Park favorite. Vendors from

across the metro and surrounding areas sell their freshly-grown

produce and homemade products while shoppers enjoy live music,

fresh-squeezed lemonade and other food made from scratch.

Brahm says the Farmer’s Market has enhanced the local scene.

Coupled with the variety of ethnic restaurants, the Culinary

Center of Kansas City and other bustling cafés, it’s a prime

destination for local foodies.

Downtown Overland Park’s specialty stores include the Tasteful

Olive, a store that sells oils, vinegars and other gourmet ingredients. The

newly opened Clock Tower Bakery and Café bakes bread, cakes,

cinnamon rolls and other pastries daily. The café also serves pizzas and

soups and features an open kitchen.

Brahm says the recently renovated Rio Theater has helped

bolster the area as an entertainment destination as well. The

Rio Theater is part of the Fine Arts Group of Kansas City. The

movie theater, live entertainment and local bars give the neighborhood

a growing nightlife, making it difficult not to find something everyone

loves in downtown Overland Park.

BEST OF THE MIDWESTThe Midwest’s style of eating is often categorized by hearty

meals and locally grown produce. Chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts

opened their restaurant, Rye, with Midwestern cooking and cloth

napkin culture on their minds. Rye, located in Mission Farms in

nearby Leawood, delivers its patrons a delicious dining experience.

Rye offers menu items with ingredients from local farmers.

Most recently, Rye began growing its own produce and spices

to further emulate the taste of a home-cooked meal. The menu

boasts a variety of brunch, lunch and dinner options, which all

showcase Colby and Megan’s distinct cooking style. Rye works

to ensure quality and freshness in its food, using only free-range

Amish chickens and cooking their barbeque on a first-come,

first-serve basis.

For the adventurous eater, try the crispy livers and gizzards,

made in the house hot sauce and served with a spinach and

lemon salad. For dessert, order one of Rye’s whole pies to go,

which are made with seasonal ingredients.

Megan’s delectable pastries and Colby’s talent as a chef bolster

Rye’s success. Particularly, Colby’s talent gained national recognition

when The James Beard Foundation awarded him with the Best Chef

Midwest award for 2013.

resources: Overland Park, Kan. opkansas.org, The Tasteful Olive

thetastefulolive.com, Clock Tower Bakery clocktowerbakery.com,

Rye ryekc.com

OVER IN OVERLAND PARKstory by ALLISON KOHN | photo by PAUL ANDREWS


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LocaL Business Hotspots

LIVINGOVERLAND PARK

Overland Park and Leawood are quickly

gaining acclaim for their wide variety of

nationally-renowned businesses. Below are a

few examples of the biggest brands that have

established themselves in the area.

SPRINTThe world headquarters of this corporation is

located in the heart of Overland Park. At the time

of its construction, it was called the largest business

complex in the Midwest.

BLACK & VEATCHForbes Magazine has consistently ranked this

engineering and construction management

company as one of the largest privately-owned

companies in the country. The company was

founded in 1915, is employee-owned and

worth an estimated $3.3 billion.

AMC MOVIE THEATRESWith more than 300 locations around the country,

AMC serves approximately 200 million guests a

year. Its most recent ventures include the Fork and

Screen theaters that allow guests to enjoy a meal

and a movie.

WADDELL AND REEDFINANCIAL, INC.

Founded in 1937, this asset management and

financial planning firm is one of the largest of

its kind. The firm has received a top ranking from

Barron’s Best Fund Families since 2008. Waddell

and Reed is also a primary sponsor of the annual

Kansas City Marathon.

resources: Black & Veatch bv.com, AMC

Movie Theatres amctheaters.com, Waddell

& Reed waddell.com





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LIVINGINDEPENDENCE

“What makes Independence special?

People are so proud to live here, and that

makes them incredibly friendly,” says Alex

Colley, vice president of small business

development at the Independence Chamber

of Commerce. “If I see someone out on the

Square, even if I haven’t met them before, they

will say hello.”

Independence, Mo., fifteen minutes from

downtown, is known for its rich history. For

starters, President Harry S. Truman is from

Independence, and it is there that his library

and home are open to the public.

“The historical aspects of Independence

are certainly good for this city, and it is

truly the foundation of any metropolitan

growth,” Colley says. Independence just so

happens to have a lot of history accessible

to the public. The Bingham-Waggoner

Estate, the home of American Civil War

artist George Caleb Bingham built in 1852,

and Vaile Mansion, built in 1881 for frontier

business tycoon Harvey Vaile, are portals to

the past. In addition to being great settings

for public and private events, their old-school

architecture serve to inspire the design of today.

Independence, with major employers such

as Alliant Tech Systems, the Independence

School District and Centerpoint Medical

Center, is experiencing plenty of metropolitan

growth. Central to that is Independence’s

downtown area, which is full of history and

local business.

Known as Independence Square, the

downtown area includes Clinton’s Soda

Fountain—where President Truman used to

work—long-time, local favorite Ophelia’s

Restaurant, kitchen goods store Gilbert

Whitney & Co. and Uptown clothing

boutique. With an impressively designed

courthouse at its center, the Square provides

the opportunity to connect with the city’s roots.

Independence’s events keep variety and

community alive. SantaCaliGon Days, named

because Independence is the intersection of

the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails,

has showcased handmade home goods since

1940. Moonlight movies are held in the Square

during the summertime, as is live music. Plus,

the Chamber of Commerce recently found a

way to bring the community together to

celebrate the city as a whole.

resources: City of Independence, Mo.

ci.independence.mo.us, Alliant Tech Systems

atk.com, Independence School District

isdschools.org, Clinton’s Soda Fountain

clintonssodafountain.com, Ophelia’s Restaurant

& Inn opheliasind.com, Gilbert, Whitney &

Co. gilbertwhitney.net, Uptown Boutique

shopthehub.com

HISTORYFOSTERING PROGRESS

PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN and his c

hildh

ood

hom

e


Living_Independence_KCO_QF.indd 71 10/7/13 3:18 PM


LIVINGLEE’S SUMMIT

Known locally as a family-friendly

suburban area, Lee’s Summit is a burgeoning

social scene.

“Our downtown area is friendly.

There’s a real sense of belonging around here.

In terms of tourism, we bring people in with

places like Paradise Park and Powell Gardens,”

Jim McKenna, community brand manager for

the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, says,

“And they discover the restaurants, events,

such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and

parks and rec offerings.” After that, it’s

hard for them to want to leave.

Downtown Lee’s Summit, the quaint

surrounding neighborhoods and the history

of Lee’s Summit—which was founded

in 1865—factor into the city’s

appeal. Restaurants such

as Ciao! Bella Italian

Ristorante and Henry’s

Tea Room serve as a

delicious backdrop to

the downtown area. Home

goods stores, coffee and

cocktail spots and boutiques

provide Lee’s Summit with a

rich culture. A farmers’ market

sells local produce to residents Wednesdays

and Saturdays.

“Lee’s Summit, to small businesses,

is a secure place to preserve invest-

ments and really prosper as a business,”

McKenna says. This will ensure that

entrepreneurs come to Lee’s Summit, helping

the area continue to develop into a city unlike

any in the area.

In addition to the great neighborhoods

in the area, Lee’s Summit is home to

University of Central Missouri’s Summit

Center. The university’s main campus is

located in Warrensburg, Mo., but with

11,000 students attending school at UCM’s

Summit Center, the campus is

a thriving, state-of-the-

art haven for those

wishing to start or

finish a degree.

Both online and

in-person classes

are available for

Kansas City resi-

dents, making this

a convenient way to

gain education.

The Summit Theatre Group supports

entertainment, such as plays and musicals

at the three area high schools, the Lee’s

Summit Symphony and community theatre

performances, providing further cultural

richness to the area. Lee’s Summit, after a day

of work, is a relaxing place to come home to,

but with thriving restaurants, entertainment

opportunities and education institutions

booming, it is a great place to stay active.

resources: Lee’s Summit, Mo. cityofls.net,

Henry’s Tea Room henrystearoom.com,

University of Central Missouri’s Summit

Center ucmo.edu/summitcenter, The Summit

Theatre Group summittheatregroup.com

STAYING ACTIVE IN LEE’S SUMMIT


Living_Lee'sSummit_KCO_QF.indd 72 10/7/13 3:21 PM

story by JILL POWERS

LIVINGOTHER CITIES

PRAIRIE VILLAGEStatistics & Recognition• Prairie Village is home to more than

21,000 residents.

• 64 acres of parks fill the city.

• The majority of household

incomes fall in the $100,000

to $149,999 range.

Businesses and Employment• There are 1,500

businesses located

in Prairie Village.

• 68.1 percent of the

population is employed.

• More than half of the

city’s population, 58 percent,

is employed in management, business,

science and arts occupations.

Education• Four grade schools, two middle schools and

one high school are open to the city’s students

in the Shawnee Mission Public School District,

which maintains an excellent national

reputation 30 years running.

• Highlawn Montessori is a private school

that has been teaching preschool children

for 50 years and has an expanding program

for first through sixth graders.

Shopping, Dining & Entertainment• Prairie Village Shopping Center has

both familiar stores, like Jos. A. Bank and

Macy’s, and other locally-rooted shops like

Bag & Baggage and Tiffany Town.

• Corinth Square, State Line Road and

Meadowbrook Shopping Centers are all

within the city’s reach as well, leaving residents

and visitors with plenty of options for their

every need.

• Great meal opportunities at the Tavern in the

Village, Story, and other local restaurants.

• The R.G. Endres Art Gallery in the

Prairie Village Municipal

Offices features a different

artist every month.

LAWRENCEStatistics &

Recognition• With a population

of more than 88,000,

Lawrence has been

growing for more than

two decades.

• In the past six years, Lawrence

has been named a top U.S. college

town by MSNBC and one of the top 10

best places to retire by U.S. News and

World Report.

• Famous names have Lawrence roots: writer

Langston Hughes and basketball inventor

James Naismith. KU alums Paul Rudd,

Jason Sudeikis and Rob Riggle

also have ties to Lawrence.

Businesses & Employment• Education and health,

life sciences, finances and

manufacturing are some of

the most popular industries.

• Among the top employers

are The University of Kansas,

Vangent for information services

and Berry Plastics for manufacturing.

• Lawrence has one of the highest percentages

of professional artists in the nation.

Education• Lawrence offers 14 elementary schools, four

middle schools, two high schools and a virtual

option for grades K-12, and multiple

highly-rated private school options for all ages.

• The University of Kansas was founded in

Lawrence in 1865. Now, about 28,000

students are educated on a campus that

has been ranked as one of the most beautiful

in the nation.

Shopping, Dining & Entertainment• Massachusetts Street includes retailers

and restaurants like Brits for British goods

and souvenirs, Envy for fashion that’s a

step ahead and Signs of Life for a book,

art and coffee fix.

• Free State Brewing Company on Massa-

chusetts Street was named best restaurant in

the city two years in a row. It is a popular

brewery and its beer is on tap regionally.

• If you like to golf, then this is the city for

you. Two courses, Alvamar and Eagle Bend,

are located within the city and popular

among its residents.

• Look for KU’s Natural

History Museum at

KU, geo-caching

activities and

galleries.


Living_Other_Cities_KCO_QF.indd 73 10/7/13 3:39 PM

OLATHEStatistics &Recognition• Residents can enjoy 43 parks and 57 miles

of trails within city limits.

• The median age of residents is 33.

Businesses & Employment• Olathe District Schools, Johnson County

Government, Farmers Insurance, Olathe

Medical Center and Garmin International

are the city’s top employers, with more than

2,000 workers each.

• Honeywell engineering and manufacturing,

TransAM Trucking and Convergys customer

service also employ 1,000 or more workers.

• The most popular industries are retail,

manufacturing and transportation, health

care and construction.

Education• Twenty-nine elementary,

eight middle and four

high schools make

up the city’s public

school system.

• Olathe Northwest

High was listed fourth

best high school in the

state. Olathe North High also

received a bronze award from U.S.

News and World Report for the 2012-13

school year.

• More than nine private school options are

available to kindergarten through twelfth

graders, and more than 20 private pre-schools

are open to the area’s youngest residents.

• Olathe is home to MidAmerica Nazarene

University, which was founded in 1966 and

has a student population of about 1,700 in

both bachelors and graduate programs.

• Kansas State University has a campus in

Olathe that provides much of the research

used on the main campus.

Shopping, Dining & Entertainment• Olathe is home to more than 20 shopping

centers, Crossroads, Rosebud Plaza and

West Village.

• When you’re finished shopping, there are

plenty of restaurants you can choose from

to refuel, like Oklahoma Joe’s award-winning

barbecue on Strang Line Road.

• Spend your weekend afternoon visiting

the Downtown Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit,

featuring new pieces every year.

• Two lakes within the city limits, Lake

Olathe and Cedar Lake, are great for

boating and fishing.

LIBERTYStatistics & Recognition• The median age of residents is 34.

• Liberty has been rated one of the best

places to live on lists in various national

publications, such as CNN Money and

Family Circle.

Businesses andEmployment

• Major employers

include Liberty

Hospital, Liberty

School District and

Hallmark Cards.

Education• The Liberty School

District has been updated

with the most recent

technological advances to better

prepare students for the professional world.

• William Jewell College was listed on Forbes

Magazine’s “America’s Best Colleges” in its

2012 report.

• Maple Woods Community College is

just 15 minutes away and offers day and

evening classes as well as continuing

education classes.

Shopping, Dining & Entertainment• The Performing Arts

Center at the Liberty

Community Center

presents a number of

plays, concerts, musicals

and other special events

and is home to the Liberty

Symphony Orchestra and the

Liberty Theatre Company.

• The Stocksdale Gallery of Art on the campus

of William Jewell features exhibits by students

and professionals.

• The Liberty area is home to five golf

courses, such as Cardinal Hill Golf Course

and Shoal Creek Golf Course.

• Liberty also boasts dining experiences such

as local pizza joint The Dish, with its deep dish

Chicago-style pizza.

ST. JOSEPHStatistics & Recognition• St. Joseph was named “All-America City”

by the National Civic League.

• The median age of city residents is 35.

Businesses & Employment• Known as playing a pivotal role in the

KC animal health corridor, Boehringer

Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., recently expanded

its campus in St. Joseph.

• St. Joseph’s largest employers include

Heartland Health, St. Joseph School District

and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Education• The St. Joseph School District serves more

than 12,000 students at three high schools,

four middle schools and 16 elementary schools.

• Missouri Western State University is home to

the Institute for Industrial & Applied Life

Sciences, which offers customized animal

health training and degree programs, including

degrees with a Quality Assurance and Quality

Control emphasis, as well as additional

customized cGMP training for the animal

health industry.

Shopping, Dining & Entertainment

• St. Joseph offers more

than 50 National

Historic Register

listings, mansions,

estates and historic

commercial structures.

Infamous outlaw Jesse

James was once a resident.

• Visual arts are on display at

Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.



• Festivals such as St. Patrick’s Mexican Fiesta

and the Coleman Hawkins Jazz festival celebrate

the city’s cultural diversity and continue to

draw crowds from the Kansas City metropolitan

area to St. Joseph.

• The Kansas City Chiefs hold its summer

training camp on the campus of Missouri

Western State University.

• Downtown boutiques such as Mod Podge and

The Lucky Tiger complement East Hills Shopping

Center, St. Joseph’s recently renovated mall.

resources: Prairie Village, Kan. pvkansas.

com, Prairie Village Shopping Center

prairievillageshops.com, Meadowbrook Shopping

Center meadowbrookcomplex.com, Tavern in the

Village taverninthevillage.com, BRGR Kitchen +

Bar brgrkitchen.com, Lawrence, Kan. lawrenceks.

org, The University of Kansas ku.edu, Free

State Brewing Company freestatebrewing.com,

Alvamar Golf Course alvamar.com, Eagle Bend

Golf Course lawrenceks.org, Olathe, Kan. olatheks.

org, Honeywell honeywell.com, MidAmerica

Nazarne University mnu.edu, K-State Olathe

olathe.k-state.edu, The Great Mall of the

Great Plains greatmallgreatplains.com,

Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ oklahomajoesbbq.com,

Liberty, Mo. ci.liberty.mo.us, William Jewell

College jewell.edu, Maple Woods Community

College maplewoods.mcckc.edu, Liberty Symphony

Orchestra libertysymphony.org, Cardinal Hill Golf

Course cardinalhillgolf.com, Shoal Creek Golf

Club shoalcreekgolf.com, The Dish dishpizza.

com, St. Joseph, Mo. stjoemo.info, Boehringer

Ingelheim Vetmedica boehringer-ingelheim.com,

Missour i Wester n Sta te Un ivers i ty

missouriwestern.edu, Albrecht-Kemper

Museum of Art albrecht-kemper.org, East Hills

Shopping Center shopeasthills.com

JESSE JAME

S



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Cover_Profile__KCO_QF2.indd 87 10/7/13 3:50 PM

ENDMARK


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