IN Kansas City July 2022 by KC Media

Kansas City’s Food Industry Innovators

INNOVATORS & INFLUENCERS TEN KANSAS CITIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

JULY 2022 | INKANSASCITY.COM

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Contents JULY 2022 60 56 76 72 Features 56

IN CONVERSATION WITH STAN HERD The internationally known earthworks artist reveals his original inspiration, how he involves the local community in his art, and what he considers his most important work.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY Highlighting ten creative, generous, hardworking Kansas Citians who have made an impact on our town.

Departments

AN APPETITE FOR INNOVATION Ten metro food-industry innovators are driving the transition to a more sustainable food future.

HOUSE PARTY Interior designer Doug Wells reimagines a classic Leawood ranch for homeowner Gloria Rudd, creating an open-concept home that’s perfect for entertaining both family and friends.

ENTERTAINING IN KC

OUR MAN IN KC

ARTS & CULTURE IN KC

BEHIND THE MUSIC IN KC

LOOK IN KC

WOMEN’S HEALTH IN KC

LIVING IN KC

104

FLAVOR IN KC

116

FACES

120

MY ESSENTIALS IN KC

IN EVERY ISSUE

On the cover The 2022 IN Kansas City Innovators and Inﬂuencers. Photo by Jim Robinson.

JULY 2022

| 10 | INKANSASCITY.COM

EDITOR’S NOTE

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Editor’s Note

Vol. 5 | No. 7 JULY 2022

In This Issue

Editor In Chief Zim Loy Digital Editor Emily Park Art Director Alice Govert Bryan

ur idea: to honor ten “people of the year” making a difference in Kansas City. And on this month’s cover, you’ll find the folks representing our second annual Innovators and Influencers survey results. We quizzed Kansas Citians knowledgeable in each of the ten categories for their nominations, and then we winnowed it down to the ten people you see here. You’ll be impressed by the wildly talented, diverse group of movers and shakers who are represented this year. From a Grammy winner to a Guggenheim Fellow, there will be some everyone knows, and some you’ve never heard of. But they’re all accomplished in their respective fields. It’s a much longer read than you’ll usually find in our pages, but we hope you feel it’s worth your time. I think you’ll become engrossed in their backstories and how they’ve achieved the success they’re being honored for here. We again approached the writer of last year’s inaugural feature, Katie Van Luchene, to write the profiles. Please do take the time; their stories are mesmerizing. Some moved me to tears. But of course, there’s still much more within these pages. Stan Herd has been a creative artistic force in Kansas and around the world for some time now. Judith Fertig’s interview with him reveals much more about the inspiration behind his massive earthworks and how the involvement of the community is an integral part of his art. Patricia O’Dell reports on a spacious Old Leawood ranch that shines in its renovation. It’s designed for a woman who loves to entertain friends and family. I think you’ll find the feature quite entertaining too. And I’m excited to introduce a new writer to our fold. Jenny Vergara has made quite a name for herself in the Kansas City food industry universe. She’ll be a regular contributor to our Flavor section, as well as a feature in every issue. It’s appropriate that her first piece reflects her take on the innovative chefs and owners making their mark in our town. Whether you’re reading this by the pool or in your favorite reading chair, there’s much in this issue to inform and entertain you. Zim

photo by aaron leimkuhler

Associate Art Director Madeline Johnston Contributing Writers Kelsey Cipolla, Judith Fertig, Timothy Finn, Cody Hogan, Merrily Jackson, Damian Lair, Rachel Murphy, Patricia O’Dell, Katie Van Luchene, Jenny Vergara Contributing Photographers Niah Aldrich, Paul Andrews, Jason Dailey, Corie English, Richard Fabac, Aaron Leimkuehler, Mark McDonald Brian Rice, Jim Robinson Publisher Michelle Jolles Media Director Brittany Coale Senior Media Consultants Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Darlene Simpson Newsstand Consultant Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net Editorial Questions: [email protected]

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JULY 2022

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Find Your Summer Sparkle At Our Christmas In July Event

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On a misssion.

Did you know many of the locally owned businesses at Mission Farms are women-owned? Courtesy of Mission Farms, one lucky winner will get to shop ’til they drop, grab a delectable bite to eat, or stop in for a self-care sesh—a few of the many ways to discover and support Mission Farm’s locally owned businesses. Enter to win a $250 gift card that’s redeemable at any Mission Farms location. Enter by July 31 at inkansascity. com/the-magazine/enter-to-win. Good luck!

Make a splash.

Summer is in full swing, and boy, oh boy, is it hot outside! Lucky for us, Kansas City has quite a few options for cooling off in the sweltering heat, so we decided to make it easy for you with a guide to Kansas City water activities. Looking for a rooftop pool with a view? Wondering how to find your closest community pool? Need a breakdown of water parks around the Kansas City area, or where to find the best lazy river to float the day away? Or are you more interested in learning where to go for water sports? No matter the way you’re hoping to make a splash this summer, we’re here to help with our water activity guide at inkansascity.com.

Red, white, and boom.

The loudest and brightest night of the year is fast approaching, and we’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to Fourth of July fireworks displays in and around Kansas City. After two years of lessened crowds, Independence Day celebrations are expected to be turned to full volume in 2022. Whether you’re scouring the metro for the boldest and most spectacular fireworks to enjoy on the evening of the Fourth of July, hoping to stay closer to your neighborhood, or on the lookout for booming celebrations on nights leading up to the patriotic holiday, we have plenty of suggestions at inkansascity.com.

Get yourself to an outdoor patio—stat!

If you’re dying to know about the local restaurant scene, we’ve got the city’s most comprehensive dining guide. So many restaurants to please your palate—many with outdoor spaces for you to enjoy. Head to inkansascity.com/eat-drink/dining-guide.

JULY 2022

FACEBOOK @INKANSASCITYMAGAZINE

TWITTER @INKANSASCITYMAG

Bird’s eye view.

Looking for a new hobby that will help you feel more connected to nature? Birdwatching is the perfect choice, and a Kansas author’s new book, Birds of Kansas (The Birding Pro’s Field Guide), can help you get started. Featuring 134 birds of Kansas, Marc Parnell’s book helps bird watchers learn about the best places to spot different birds and how to identify each species. We chatted with Parnell about starting the hobby in Kansas City, and he shared his best insider tips. Check out the interview at inkansascity.com. | 14 | INKANSASCITY.COM

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Locate is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass Realty Group, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

This Month IN KC

July

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE BY

Emily Park

JULY SPOTLIGHT 2022 KC Fringe Festival July 15–31 Various locations kcfringe.org

Party Arty: Vitality & Vice July 9, 8 p.m. – midnight The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art nelson-atkins.org/partyarty-2022 A roaring comeback. Party Arty is back in 2022 for a spectacular night inspired by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s upcoming exhibition American Art Deco: Designing for the People, 1918-1939. The museum will be transformed into a glamorous speakeasy with vibrant jazz, food, drinks, and fun at the signature Young Friends of Art fundraiser. Tickets start at $125 and include an Art Deco-inspired, multi-sensory performance by Quixotic Cirque Nouveau, a live painting experience from artists with the African American Artists Collective, early access to the American Art Deco exhibition, specialty cocktails from Tom’s Town Distilling Company, concretes from Shake Shack, and more.

The Prospect KC Gumbo Festival July 24, 12-4 p.m. The Prospect Urban Eatery theprospectkc.org/gumbo-festival Get your gumbo on! Don’t miss the inaugural The Prospect KC Gumbo Festival. The family-friendly outdoor festival will bring together friends and neighborhoods in Kansas City’s Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District with live music from Tamba Hali, cocktails, food trucks, yard games, local vendors—and of course, gumbo. Teams will compete for the best bowl of gumbo, which will be judged by a panel of James Beard-nominated celebrity chefs from across the country. Tickets start at $25, and proceeds will benefit The Prospect KC’s mission to empower individuals and communities through food-based solutions.

On the fringe. The 18th annual KC Fringe Festival is back live and on stage after two years of virtual performances. One of the largest celebrations of arts and culture in the Kansas City metropolitan area, this two-week festival includes hundreds of experiences throughout Kansas City. This is your chance to get up close and personal with artists who are creating and breaking the boundaries of theater, dance, film, music, and visual arts. The 15-day art explosion features over 400 participating artists, in 13 different venues, with 56 productions, 24 visual artists, and more than 289 opportunities to find your Fringe this year. There’s a range of G to R ratings on 56 productions that feature cabaret, circus, comedy, dance, musicals, spoken word, storytelling, and theater. Each show costs $10 (plus a one-time purchase of a $5 button) and runs for one hour. This year’s venues include: The Bird Comedy Theatre, Black Box, The Black Box Outdoor Stage, The Bolender, The BOT, City Stage, The Sparkle Room, Stray Cat Film Center, Unicorn Theater, Union Station, Upside Bungee, Westport Coffee House, and Westport Bowery. Check out the full schedule of events at kcfringe. org/ﬁnd-a-show-2022. The 2022 KC Fringe Fest is the first festival under the leadership of Audrey Crabtree, who ran the international NY Clown Theatre Festival in New York for ten years. “KC Fringe has a longstanding stellar reputation and dedicated volunteer team, guided by the loving hand of Cheryl Kimmi,” Crabtree says. “I am thrilled to return to my hometown and join the KC Fringe family. As we re-emerge with our live festival this year, I plan to continue the support and showcase of our KC artists while growing our diversity and inclusion and engaging KC’s emerging artists. Kansas City, here I come!”

For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com JULY 2022

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Entertaining

IN KC

How to Handle a Party Disaster

POWER OUTAGES. BROKEN OVENS. BURNED RISOTTO. PARTY DISASTERS HAPPEN. IT’S HOW YOU MANAGE THEM THAT MATTERS

Merrily Jackson

photo by

Corie English

I Email me with your entertaining questions, dilemmas, or triumphs at [email protected]

JULY 2022 |

18 | INKANSASCITY.COM

n a memorable moment in cinema, dishy Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) rescues Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) from disaster by whipping up an omelet to replace her pretentious, failed dinner party menu. “Don’t worry,” says Mr. Darcy, pouring her a glass of wine. “I’m sure they’ve come to see you and not orange parfait in sugar cages.” Those of us who cook and host remem-

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Entertaining

IN KC

Lon Lane’s Grand Marnier Soufflé

Preheat a working oven to 400 degrees. Beat in a double boiler over boiling water: 6 lightly beaten egg yolks cup sugar

2/ 3

Continue to beat until the mixture forms a broad ribbon as it runs from a lifted spoon. Add: ½ cup Grand Marnier liqueur To arrest the cooking, transfer the mixture to a bowl and beat it over ice until cooled. In a separate bowl, beat until foamy: 12 egg whites Add: ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar Continue to beat until stiff, but not dry. Fold the egg yolk mixture into the whites. Mound the mixture in an 8-inch soufflé dish. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until firm, and serve at once with Grand Marnier zabaglione sauce. GRAND MARNIER ZABAGLIONE SAUCE 8 egg yolks cup sugar cup white wine cup Grand Marnier liqueur

2/ 3 2/ 3 1/ 3

Have all ingredients at room temperature. Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a wire whisk until thick. Place a pan over hot, but not boiling, water and gradually mix in white wine and Grand Marnier, beating constantly. Continue beating and cook until smooth, thick, and frothy, The zabaglione is done when it reaches the consistency of heavy cream. Serves 10.

JULY 2022 |

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ber this scene because it reminds us that many dinner party catastrophes can be rectified by having plenty of eggs, wine, and composure on hand. Often, calamities are prevented by keeping it simple. When Aesop said a crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety, he was probably thinking of the home dinner party, one of the great rites of civilization, and one with the most potential for mishap. By the way, speaking of Colin Firth—this has nothing whatsoever to do with party-giving—have you seen The Staircase on HBO Max? If you’re a true-crime junkie like me, you will love it. Colin is not in the least bit dishy in this one, but it’s full of twists and turns, just like the two true party disaster stories that follow. SNATCHING VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT My friend Lon Lane, probably the most illustrious name in Kansas City catering, has a doozy of a tale about triumph over adversity. He was catering an extraordinary dinner to honor a recently departed, much beloved man and his affection for great wines. Lon’s menu was divine, the wines transcendent. The venue was a grand, historic house whose kitchen looked good during the initial walk-through. But when Lon and his crew got to cookin’, they realized one of its two ovens was not working at all, the other functioned only on “broil.” The main course was grilled veal chops and vegetables, no oven needed there. But he had promised a fabulous, tableside presentation of Grand Marnier souffles, one for each of the three tables for ten. Thinking fast, Lon raced back to his office to fetch portable convection ovens in which to bake two of the souffles. “Given the situation, I really needed three portable ovens, but I owned only two at the time,” Lon says. The solution for Souffle No. 3? Bake it in the semi-functioning oven, using a cookie sheet to diffuse the heat, keeping the temperature constant by switching the broil setting off and on. But then the coffeemaker blew a main fuse, plunging the entire kitchen and connecting hallways into darkness.

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ADAPT, IMPROVISE, OVERCOME In the front of the house, hors d’oeuvres were being passed; the party was progressing splendidly. Lon aimed to keep it that way. “A good caterer does everything necessary not to disturb the hosts with ‘little problems’ like this,” he says. He searched methodically for the fuse box and, miraculously, found it hidden behind a massive, floor-to-ceiling picture mounted in the hallway between the library and the kitchen. The piece was

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Entertaining

IN KC

hanging by a wire, too heavy to remove from the wall. Lon had one of his staff lift it from the bottom and pull it out far enough from the wall for Lon to crawl behind it, open the box, and, using a Bic lighter for illumination, find the blown fuse and a fortuitous spare. He replaced the fuse, power was restored to the kitchen, the souffles baked to great result (the broiler tactic worked, for future reference), and were presented simultaneously, on silver platters, to dazzled guests. No one, other than Lon’s staff, ever knew what it took to produce them. “It’s all about flexibility and creative problem-solving,” he says. “Do whatever you have to do to make it work. And never let them see you sweat.” THAT SMOKY FLAVOR My friend Brian Justice, a writer and artist formerly of Kansas City and now of Chicago, is an experienced host and ever-amusing raconteur. What he calls “an unexpected bout of middle-aged poverty” forced him to take a several-year hiatus from entertaining. When the bout ended, he hosted a sit-down dinner for ten, featuring his famous seafood risotto, which he’d made dozens of times.

“I was overwhelmed,” says Brian. “I’d forgotten how much work goes into feeding and entertaining ten people. I’d forgotten how long it takes to cook risotto properly and burned it trying to hurry it up as things deteriorated in my dining room. “Because my timing was off, I drank too much too fast,” he says. “I couldn’t babysit my guests who were also drinking too much too fast, and a political argument—unforgivable at a dinner party—broke out at the table because I was in the kitchen trying to doctor the risotto. If I had been on my game, none of it would have happened. I was out of practice.” But the party turned out to be wonderful. “I just said what the hell and served the burnt risotto, and one of my guests actually complemented its ‘smoky flavor.’ I also put an end to the political talking by issuing an edict to stop it immediately—you can do that as the host—and then asked each guest to name the movie they’d seen most recently, and tell how they liked it. The evening proved that people really just want to be together and chat and be social; the food doesn’t really matter that much, in the end.” Except if it’s a Grand Marnier Souffle. I’ve included Lon’s recipe on page 20.

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Paddles Up

etiring president of the Kansas City Art Institute, Tony Jones, welcomed friends of KCAI to their first major in-person event in three years— their much-anticipated Art & Design Auction. Given that the event takes place only every other year, it’s something that many Kansas Citians—myself included—look very forward to. In fact, I have several pieces adding life to my home and office that were purchased at this event. It was a pre-heat-wave outdoor event, hosted primarily on the lush campus courtyard lawn. Guests were greeted by the lively Sass-A-Brass—a femme-fronted, queer, and nonbinary-inclusive street-parade band— with Kadesh Flow. Roaming models and performers on stilts interspersed with patrons. Tents sheltered bites by Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions (the quinoa was perfection), and the Marcus Lewis Big Band performed from a central stage. There were also scattered cocktail stations keeping everyone in good spirits with Tom’s Town gin, Mean Mule agave spirits, Vine Street Brewing Co. beer, and whiskey from West Bottoms Whiskey Co. KCAI evidently wanted everyone feeling sauced and generous for the outdoor live auction, which included a handful of particularly special pieces, such as a bronze sculpture by the legendary Nick Cave (’82 Fiber) and two massive, brilliant paintings by Harold Smith and Lester Goldman. Inside the new KCAI Gallery, more than 200 artworks were on display for purchase via silent auction throughout the night. I had my eye on a four-foot by five-foot painting, Birds of Paradise, Exploding by Christopher Beer

Damian Lair (right) with Chadwick Brooks at the KCAI Art & Design Auction.

and Natalie Beer (’03 Painting). I maintained my lead for virtually the entire evening—until the last 30 seconds, when I was stealthily outbid by someone who deserves kudos for sidelining an expert online-bidding ninja. Two weeks later, I am still sick about the loss. I suppose the bright spot is that I still have one large remaining chunk of wall space for which I can keep hunting. And for me, that may be better and more joy-infusing than the actual painting could have ever been. At least, that’s the story I’m sticking with. SPOTTED: Sue & Lewis Nerman, Mindy & Meyer Sosland, Jeanne & Charlie Sosland,

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Nancy Lee & Jonathan Kemper, OVERHEARD Sharon Hoffman, “It’s his birthday. Maurice Watson, Feliz Navidad!” Michael & Ellen Merriman, Ellen & Jamie Copaken, Joan & Jerry Riffel, Kathy Kelly & Bryan Folk, Kristin Goodman & Marty Peterson, Kim Klein, Linda Lighton, Tom Corbin, Tom Styrkowicz, Kurt Knapstein, David Wiley, Missy Guastello, Taylor Gozia, Kellen Whaley, Taylor Smith, Kenny Johnson, Jeff Beeson, Jeffrey Brentano

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IN KC OVERHEARD “You know… there’s really just nothing worse than a Hawaiian shirt.”

BOTTLED IN BOND IT’S BEEN NEARLY 103 years since prohibition began and halted (legal) booze manufacturing in America. Amazingly, it’s been roughly that long since the founded-in-1887 J. Rieger & Co. (and the city of Kansas City, for that matter) last produced a bottle of bourbon. Did you know that 95 percent of the world’s bourbon is produced in Kentucky? Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that has been aged in charred, new oak barrels. Aging takes time. As a young, revived distiller, Rieger began putting away just a couple barrels a month for this aspirational purpose. Aging and other requirements for bourbon vary, and Rieger was shooting for the strictest category—“Bottled in Bond.” This distinction requires the whiskey to be the product of one distillation season, by one distiller, at one distillery, aged at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof. Rieger allowed theirs to age for a full six years before bottling—amounting to just 27 barrels for this very special inaugural release. (Today, they’re putting away hundreds of barrels a month for aging, so there will be Rieger’s bourbon for many years to come.) With a century-long leadup, I was very excited to be invited to the official release and uncorking of the first bourbon bottles at J. Rieger’s massive, iconic distillery in the historic Electric Park neighborhood of the East Bottoms district. I enjoyed the bourbon “neat” so that I could have the purest appreciation of its flavors. In terms of tasting notes (my less sophisticated bourbon palate needed some guidance), upfront aromas are of tart fruits—lemon, apple pie, clove, and hints of maple, followed by sweet fruits, including dark cherry and plum. A rich and buttery texture, with flavors of cigar smoke, cornbread, and cotton candy, is also present. The finish is loaded with complex flavors of honey-cinnamon, dark-roast coffee, vanilla, caramel, and sea salt. And there’s a malty, lingering effect that is reminiscent of a stout beer. As they say—it really is “O! So good!”

SUPPORT FOR THIS STATION COMES FROM… KCUR 89.3 reporter Peggy Lowe has a quote by Ida B. Wells on her desk. It reads: “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” It was the annual RadioActive fundraiser for KCUR. I was sitting at my ballroom table, decked out in “summer garden party” finery, slicing my (entirely overcooked, even for me) steak, and thought about these words as Peggy mentioned them during HOT the event program. They remindGOSSIP: ed me of a maxim taught in my undergraduate freedom of speech Who lost, not money, course: more speech is the antibut their marbles at dote to bad speech. Simple. But the casino? those were simpler times. Then, the nightly news was presented

JULY 2022 |

matter-of-factly via the likes of a stoic Brian Williams—not as a pick-your-favorite-narrative, offered up amidst a game show of sensationalist talking heads duking it out over two exaggerated, polarized versions of a milder reality. Facebook was a year old, and Twitter didn’t yet exist. I’m dating myself—I know—but news and facts weren’t something that seemed to require deep analysis or contemplation. They just… were. So, is it still accurate that revealing truths can right societal wrongs? And is it still possible to drown out bad (inaccurate) speech with good speech? It may feel less true today, but the answer must be yes. And so, breaking myself free of this lofty contemplation, it felt good to be supporting—in person, for the first time in three years—a community news organization that, I believe, works hard every day to stick to facts and get those facts right. The evening began with a fun and impromptu performance by the newly formed “KCUR RadioActive Band.” David Fulk, Laurie Arbore, and Lisa Rodriguez put their day jobs aside to dazzle us with vocals, backed by nearly a dozen colleagues on instruments ranging from drums to trombone. I have a feeling their co-workers are happy that the studio practice sessions have ended. We heard from the community advisory board chair, Pat Macdonald, and the station general manager, Sara Morris, as well as event co-chairs Julie Nelson Meers and Sam Meers. Takeaway: the state of KCUR is strong. This past year, the station added more listeners, readers, and subscribers than any year in its history. Interspersed throughout the evening were enlightening table conversations with two KCUR reporter seatmates—Laura Spencer and Frank Morris. The evening’s programming also included a panel conversation among reporters Steve Kraske, Lisa Rodriguez, Nomin Ujiyediin, and Reginald Davis. In revealing unknown facts about himself, Steve confessed to loving turkey and rice soup and Andy Griffith. Who knew? Steve also, more seriously, talked about what a privilege it has been to tell these Kansas City stories for more than two decades on his show, Up to Date. Finally, we collectively raised money for the station’s paid internship program—named in honor of former colleague and intern Aviva Okeson-Haberman. Paying interns creates more opportunities for achieving a newsroom of diverse talent and has been an important piece of the station’s success. The evening together was a great way to both kick off the summer weekend and show support for a service I consume and enjoy every day. SPOTTED: Jason Kander, Heather Paxton, Joe Vaughan, Dr. Regina Nouhan & John Eck, Jan Kyle & Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, Katherine Holland, Angie Jeffries, Matthew Schulte, Laura Ziegler, Brian Williams, Rick Truman, Jennifer & Steve Bedell, Martha Lally, Alison & Bill Paterson, Dr. Justin & Crissy Dastrup, Loretta & Tom Mentzer

26 | INKANSASCITY.COM

FASHION JAM TO REFER TO the West 18th Street Fashion Show as just a fashion show really shortchanges the experience—in my overflowing opinion. It’s more of a runway concert—this year, musically stitched together by the event’s musical director, Calvin Arsenia. Beyond imagining and assembling, though, Calvin also graced the audience with his powerful vocals, harp-strumming, and an eccentric, tulle fashion creation. Mike Dillion stole the show on more than one occasion with his drums and percussion solos. So much energy and intensity. This year, we were all so looking forward to being back on 18th Street, with the 100-foot runway, after taking a pandemic detour to a drive-through theater and fashion installation pods—both interesting and every bit enjoyable. The weather, however, had other plans. So, for only the third time in the show’s 22-year history, the event was moved indoors to The Bauer event space. No matter. After the upended last few years, this surely seemed like an easy pivot, comparatively. With the band front and center and a runway snaking through a sea of chairs, we watched. And listened. With eight designers (four returning from last year), it was a packed evening—but not too packed. Each designer had five looks, which turned out to be the perfect number. No matter how much fun you’re having, no one wants these things to drag on for hours. Craig Rohner commenced the show. Men with colorful brocade tailcoats were ready for the court of Louis XVI, and a Grecian dress with green-on-white toile-like fabric resembling patterns on U.S. currency was a showstopper. Another crossover and favorite from last year, Minc Mason with 3Minc, had a gold, chain-like gown complemented with a blue leather-formed breastplate that was the standout. Return designer Renee LaRouge showcased loads of beading, sequins, and mesh for an otherworldly genie-in-a-bottle x Beyoncé vibe. I absolutely loved the vintage Turkish textiles used in Nidalu Handmade’s collection. Red Hair Leather featured leather gladiator tops, collars, cuffs, and harnesses—upscale 50 Shades of Gray. 2S Design House modeled their incredible jewelry and large accessories, like metal headpieces and bodices. Zaid Farouki, based in Dubai, used silk with precision, but the metal cage corset sculpture, inspired by Arabic geometric patterns, was bound to be the piece everyone talked about. In a recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar, you can see Zaid’s designs on Iris Apfel (cover photo) and Pharrell Williams. Finally, Birdies closed out the show with ethereal lingerie pieces from their delicate collection. Also closing out was the 22-year chapter of Peregrine Honig as senior artistic director of the 18th Street Fashion Show. In an emotional farewell, she passed the torch to her handpicked successor, Missy IsaMoore. It’s been a wild ride, and I can’t wait to see how Missy imprints her own stamp on the event. And—I can’t wait to be back on that street. SPOTTED: Helen & Frank Wewers, Ken Petti, Arlen Wickstrum, Hartzell Gray, Tony Glamcevski, Samir Patel, Sarah Nelson, Luis Mortera, Andersen Ritsch, Stephonne Singleton

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Arts&Culture

IN KC

W Trilla Ray-Carter THE CELLIST ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS

e don’t think of musical instruments as having ancestors, but they do. The piano wouldn’t be here today without its forebear, the harpsichord. Ancient harps and lyres predated violins and other stringed instruments, such as the cello. Trilla Ray-Carter, a renowned cellist who teaches at William Jewell College, loves gathering other musicians who value antique instruments, the unique sounds they make, and the 17th- and 18th-century music the instruments were destined to play. “Historically informed” music is the technical term. She and her husband, Monty Carter, a violinist, helped found the nonprofit Kansas City Baroque Consortium in 2016, where Ray-Carter is the executive and artistic director. Says Ray-Carter, “We launched our annual summer series in 2017 and produced three wonderful seasons prior to the pandemic. We survived the pandemic by offering unique online offerings and through the generous support from our donors and audience.” KC Baroque returned to live performance in 2021. This summer, they present their 6th season of concerts: Music in the Age of Enlightenment, with performances on July 29 and August 16. kcbaroque.org

INKC: What is it about the music of the by

Judith Fertig

photo by

Richard Fabac

JULY 2022

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Baroque period—17th and 18th centuries—that appeals to you? Ray-Carter: I’ve always gravitated toward music from the Baroque era, even as a child, and when I began piano and cello lessons I discovered my favorite composer

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Arts&Culture

IN KC

was Bach. The first time we played Handel in my school orchestra I begged our music teacher to do more pieces like this. It was the energy, the complexity and order, the sheer beauty of this music that seemed to pull me in! Through my college studies as a music major I came to deeply love a wide variety of repertoire from all eras, but I had a special affinity toward music of the Baroque. INKC: How did KC Baroque come about? Ray-Carter: In the 1970s and 80s, recordings of early music performed

on historical instruments (or historical reproductions) filtered into the mainstream airways of classical radio, and I became increasingly fascinated, first by the sound of these authentic instruments, and secondly by the approach to interpretation that these modern-day early-music pioneers were offering us. More and more early-music recordings heard today are performed on period instruments. To that I say “hooray!” In 2008 and 2009 I took the plunge. I signed up to participate in the annual seminar offered by the International Baroque Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I enjoyed an immersive experience in this new/old sonic world. Working for the first time on a period instrument with some of the leading specialists in period performance, I walked away with such inspiration to find a way to continue this journey. I returned home and decided I would create my own incubator for early music exploration, and founded the Kansas City Baroque Consortium.

INKC: You play a cello crafted in Vienna in 1836. What is different

about this instrument compared to a modern cello? Ray-Carter: The whole world of period instruments is quite fascinating.

We know many changes have taken place in the production of musical instruments over time. So, as we seek to recreate an authentic soundscape for music in the Baroque era, we look for either historical instruments or modern replicas of historical instruments. Like all early-music specialists, we play on strings made from sheep, ram, or cow gut—not cat gut, as we often hear. (So, rest assured your cats are safe with us!) Our bows are convex shaped like a bow and arrow, as opposed to the later concave shape developed in the Classical era and used today. As well, the use of chin rests, shoulder rests, and endpins were not yet in use in the Baroque era. My 1836 Viennese cello built by Martin Stoss is not quite in the Baroque era, but is such a beautiful instrument and it serves the period sound we are looking for. My husband plays a 1740 violin, and our colleagues play on instruments which are either from the period or modern reproductions of historical models. INKC: How has Kansas City nurtured your musical spirit and career? Ray-Carter: Having grown up in Joplin, I returned to the Midwest in

1993 after several years of study and professional work that led me to Los Angeles. Choosing to land in Kansas City was fortuitous! It has proven to be a community that truly supports the arts and offers fertile ground for artists to pursue their vision. If you are willing to do the hard work, there is guidance, opportunity, and support here.

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Arts & Culture BY

IN KC

Judith Fertig Your Favorite Breakfast Bedlam by Bianca Fields.

WOMEN TO WATCH—A NEW WORLD: 2024 IN COLLABORATION WITH the National Museum of Women Artists (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., this exhibit at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art casts its net wide—a 150-mile radius around Kansas City—for under-represented, self-identifying women artists. The artists showcase work responding to A New World, this year’s theme chosen by NMWA’s curators. Bianca Fields, creating with oil, acrylic, and spray paint on yupo paper mounted on canvas in works like Your Favorite Breakfast Bedlam, responds to the heightened emotional minefields we traverse every day. Melanie Johnson involves herself in ideas concerning the physical body. Says Johnson, “Aspects of my work examine the links between physicality and emotional identity and the role of memory in connection of the two.” Bev Gegen, who studied at the Kansas City Art Institute as well as with Wilbur Niewald and Philomene Bennett, is known for her abstract compositions and her contemporary garden paintings. Sun Young Park, currently a resident artist at Belger Arts Center, specializes in ceramics and mixed media, exploring the spaces between imagination and reality. Mona Cliff/HanukGahNé (Spotted Cloud) explores the identity of indigenous people and their knowledge systems through traditional beading and fabric appliqué. She is currently working on a 17-foot beaded piece for the new Kansas City Airport Terminal. The exhibit runs through October 16. For more information, visit kemperart.org.

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HANDS-ON: MAKE YOUR OWN STEMLESS WINE GLASS IT’S SUMMER and you’re an adult far beyond the school schedule, yet some part of you yearns for a summer camp experience. Not braiding lanyards, not macramé, certainly not swim lessons in the murky lake, but maybe making a stemless wine glass for that robust pinot noir you’ve been saving for just such an occasion. You’re in luck. On Saturday, July 16, the Belger Arts Center offers Make Your Own glass-blowing in their Glass Annex in both morning and afternoon sessions. It could be the most intriguing $50 you’ve ever spent. Experienced and knowledgeable instructors who blow glass professionally will take you from molten to magically clear (or a color of your choice) in just two hours. Finished pieces will be ready for pickup at a later date (they have to cool off—really cool off ). For information and to sign up, visit belgerarts.org.

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WES ANDERSON AND TIVOLI UNDER THE STARS DID YOU CATCH The French Dispatch when it was out last year? Thought not. Now’s your chance. Bring your foldable chairs and your pod peeps to the summer lawns at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for an enchanted evening of quirky, tongue-in-cheek cinema via the creative mind of filmmaker Wes Anderson, who wrote the screenplay as well as directed. Believe it or not, a Liberty, Kansas, newspaper boasts French correspondents, inspired by the New Yorker magazine’s dispatches from places other than New York City. Various tales are told from the city of Ennui-sur-Blasé, involving characters such as Herbsaint Sazerac (played by Owen Wilson) and Nescaffier (played by Stephen Park). Anderson has also rounded up his favorite actors, including Bill Murray as the editor, Timothée Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand in this BAFTA-nominated film that never takes itself too seriously. For more information and tickets, visit nelson-atkins.org.

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REDLINED AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY MUSEUM “SYSTEMIC RACISM” is a term we hear, but perhaps don’t fully understand. Surely, we think, it would not appear in Kansas, a state that fought so hard for abolition during the Civil War. But it did, and continues to do so. Racial bias became part of federal housing policy? That’s just one example of systemic racism. The Redlined: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation exhibit at the Johnson County Museum shows how private industry, and later the federal government during the Great Depression and onward, chose to fund and support home purchases for white families and neighborhoods over Black families and other communities of color. Boundaries created over a century ago by these policies left a legacy still impacting us today. Over the next few months, speakers and additional programs will enhance the story this exhibit tells. For more information, visit jcprd.com/1836/museum.

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AS IN KANSAS CITY HIGHLIGHTS WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE CELEBRATE THE WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES THAT MAKE THE HISTORIC BROOKSIDE SHOPS A SPECIAL PLACE.

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Behind the Music

IN KC

The Grisly Hand by

Timothy Finn

The Grisly Hand (left to right) Jimmy Fitzner, Johnny Nichols, Lauren Krum, Mike Stover, Kian Byrne, Ben Summers.

he best bands evolve, continually. They explore new terrains. They move and shift and change course, subtly or otherwise, to avoid repetition and stagnation. They give their fans reason to wonder and anticipate: What’s next? Which brings us to Traitors, the new album from The Grisly Hand, since its inception in 2010, one of the best bands in Kansas City. That year they released Safe House, a seven-song EP bristling with energy, melodies, and inventive songwriting. It defined them, intentionally or not, as some kind of country band—alternative, insurgent, indie—anything but mainstream. As auspicious as Safe House was, it was as it turns out, the modest beginning of what has become a grand and consistently adventur-

JULY 2022

ous and creative odyssey. Since then, The Grisly Hand has stridently stretched out and explored new genres, infusing each with the band’s unique flavors, techniques, and twists. The impeccable full-length Country Singles, released in 2013, despite its title, proclaimed The Grisly Hand’s expansion into music landscapes beyond country. That expansion became more lavish and evident in the next two releases, Flesh and Gold (2015) and Hearts and Stars (2016), which were subsequently released as the double album The Grisly Hand in 2016. Six years, a pandemic, and lots of family matters (babies) and lineup changes later, Traitors will be released on July 8. It was produced at Element Recording by Joel Nanos, who has produced every Grisly Hand

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record starting with Country Singles. The band will celebrate with an album-release concert July 9 at Lemonade Park in the West Bottoms. Nanos’ familiarity with the band and its strengths is readily apparent. On Traitors, he again captures the spirit of a group in a place of supreme creativity, inspiration, and fellowship, a band that has graduated and moved on from its roots without forsaking them. Traitors is a panoramic celebration of The Grisly Hand, an excursion into soul music (from Memphis to Muscle Shoals), the blues, rhythm and blues, ’60s and ’70s music—including some soulful soft rock (Don’t Take This Out on Me)—and a few takes on its reliable fallback, country. The latest lineup comprises Lauren Krum (vocals and auxiliary percussion); Jimmy Fitzner (guitar, vocals); Ben Summers (guitar and the band’s third songwriter); Johnny Nichols (bass, vocals); and Kian Byrne (drums, vocals). Nichols and Byrne (of the Elders) are former Grisly Hand members who rejoined the band this year. Krum’s sister, Melinda Pine, provided some guest vocals, Nick Howell applied trumpet on the stellar Don’t Wait ‘Til Summer, and former band member Mike Tuley played banjo on On the Same Side, one of the record’s many fine moments. Krum and Fitzner, the band’s chief songwriters and lead vocalists, recently answered questions for IN Kansas City about Traitors and the band’s pursuit of new sounds—its tireless evolution, in other words. What I like so much about this record is from the first listen of

the first song, it is undeniably The Grisly Hand. But as the record progresses, it sounds measurably different from previous records, primarily in song structures but also in other ways. Was that a primary intention when you went into the studio? Or is this more an organic process, an evolution, that was more natural than calculated? We definitely wanted this record to sound different than our past albums, but we knew that was somewhat inevitable based on the songs. It feels natural for these songs to sound different after such a long break from recording. Element is such a comfortable place for us. We were able to hit the ground running and focus on creating the best song possible. We got better at communicating to Joel what we wanted with each song, and I think he knows us well enough to hear that these songs were different. What influenced the music on this album, personally and otherwise? It’s several years of songwriting, so we cover a lot of ground—we had babies, we changed up our lineup, discovered a lot of great records. When we started putting the album together we were spending time isolated, so many of these songs were fleshed-out alone, which contributed to the more vulnerable nature of the album. We had to be more independent in our songwriting and then use our time together to make these feel like Grisly tunes. On The Same Side takes a hope-

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Behind the Music

IN KC

ful approach; a love letter to friends after spending so much time away from each other, and we felt that as a band as well. Your harmonies are wonderfully sibling-ish. Tell me about that. It’s so integral to the magic of your songs. We have been singing together for 12 years, so that’s the least we could do. There were definitely some magic moments vocally on this album. One that comes to mind is recording Jacques The Fatalist. It’s hard to describe what it feels like in those high-energy moments, but Lauren used the phrase “rainbow road” to describe it. Having everyone in the band contribute vocally to this record and gaining strong singers in Kian and Johnny made a big difference as well. What do you want listeners to take from the album lyrically? There are some big feelings on this record. Times were tough, and we were asking some big questions and trying to find answers. Our fans have taught us that our lyrics are open to interpretation and that the sentiment is sometimes the bigger player. In confronting grief, anger, and joy, we can hopefully allow others to do the same. We’re also playfully honest about the songs we feel we are referencing. We’re always standing on the shoulders of giants. Learning to set boundaries is a pattern in these songs. Becoming precious to oneself and evaluating what matters is also an undercurrent. Jukebox Money was actually a ten-year-old song that was partially

rewritten as a reconsideration from a much different perspective. What about this album are you proudest of? We began writing these songs with a different lineup and through a really disconnected period with a lot of change, so to come out of it as friends and better players and make a record that sounds this good, feels wonderful. There was a feeling of being reunited and having a second chance in some ways. Six years between albums: How did that affect the energy once you returned to the studio? Was it six? Wow. But in all seriousness, we were excited to be in the studio and to create something to share with our fans. Because Kian and Johnny were in the band in the past, and we have such a history with Joel, it was an easy, open environment, and there was a lot of enthusiasm for tracking and adding depth and beauty. Mike’s evolution on keys, and his dedication to supporting these songs continues to be a boon to every record we make. Why Traitors?

It was something Joel whispered under his breath when we came crawling back to him. It made us laugh really hard. It’s such a hot-button word for a collection of introspective, sensitive songs. It’s a strong, oneword title, and we often get too wordy. It spoke to our desire to not take ourselves too seriously.

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Look

IN KC

Fashion

Rachel Murphy

Here Comes the Sun BY

here’s something about a sundress that mitigates the worst of a Kansas City summer—perhaps it’s the breeze swirling around your legs, unconstrained by shorts or slacks. Maybe it’s the riot of color as dazzling hues take center stage. Perhaps it’s because sundresses give everyone an air of carefree elegance. If you haven’t found your 2022 go-to sundress, you’re in luck. Kansas City boutiques are chock-full of beautiful options for every summer body.

BLOCK PARTY When the sun is blazing, fight back with this color-blocked maxi sundress in bright, warm hues. Made from lightweight cotton and silk, you’ll stay cool but still give serious fashion vibes. Pair with a flat espadrille sandal and a Paloma for a bit of tropical bliss. Color-block silk-blend maxi dress by Scotch and Soda, $298. Available at Luna by Ulah (Westwood).

IN BLOOM Spring may bring flowers, but summer dresses carry over the floral trend. This feminine sundress features tied shoulders and a casual, midi length, perfect for a summer wedding in the Loose Park rose garden or golden-hour cocktails at Electric Park. And it has pockets. Pockets! Daphne dress by Mille, $288. Available at Clairvaux (Fairway).

ERRANDS IN STYLE Sundresses should never feel too stuffy— these are frocks made to be thrown on and lived in. A loose, comfortable, all-cotton dress fits the bill. This midi dress is available in cerulean, coral, or navy and features a full skirt, crew neck, and two front pockets. Throw it on for the office with a shacket or bare your shoulders at the farmers market. Fiesta for Me dress by Charlie B, $89. Available at Shopgirls (Brookside).

JULY 2022 |

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IN KC Beauty BY

Rachel Murphy

Sunkissed FAKE A ROSY GLOW WITH BLUSH

veryone knows sunburns are terrible for your skin—but that tinge of pink on your cheeks hinting at a long afternoon lazing by the pool is endlessly attractive. This summer, savvy stylists are moving blush away from just the apples of the cheeks and spotlighting the places the sun would naturally touch—the crest of the cheek under the eye, the bridge of the nose, and just a touch in the middle of the forehead. To achieve the sun-kissed look, go for a bright hue in the pink, orange-red, or coral family—there’s no room for dark, muddy colors. Keep your application light and top with setting spray to keep your dewy glow. MIX AND MATCH MASTER Want to blend your own sunkissed color? Grab a palette of summer color. The Blushin’ On You Blush Trios by PinkLipps Cosmetics feature three colors each, with three colorways available. Every cheek can find its perfect flush with a velvety matte texture that builds beautifully. Blushin’ On You Blush Trios by PinkLipps Cosmetics, $7.50. Available at PinkLipps at 1112 East 47th Terrace or at pinklippscosmetics.com. pinklippscosmetics.com

BLOOMING COLOR The key to summer cheeks is translucent color like the Peach Bloom Color Blossoming Lip and Cheek Tint from Too Faced. Available in four bright pink and coral shades and with a slick gel consistency, this gives a natural flush with a glasslike finish. Add a touch to lips for a natural and cohesive glow. Peach Bloom Color Blossoming Lip and Cheek Tint from Too Faced, $25. Available at Ulta.

NAKED AND UNAFRAID The word for summer is dewy, right? Nudestix has built their business by making naked look good, and their Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color is no exception. This creamy stick comes in seven warm, bright colors to suit any skin tone. Better yet? The applicator has a built-in brush to help you blend it to the sheerest hint of color. Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color by Nudestix, $34. Available at Sephora.

JULY 2022 |

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Look

IN KC

Wellness

Rachel Murphy

Straight to the Veins IV THERAPY GAINS IN POPULARITY

or most people, the thought of intravenous medicine brings to mind the hospital. After all, IV delivery is most common in a clinical setting to deliver hydration or medicine to a patient as fast as possible. But Kansas City is now home to at least a dozen ‘drip bars’ or wellness centers offering the service. So, what is it, and how can it help? IV therapy consists of a saline solution fed directly into your body. Many spas offer vitamin cocktails that claim to treat various conditions, from immune system deficiency to aging skin to migraines. Proponents of IV therapy tout many benefits, such as reduced hangovers, migraine cures, faster recovery after intense workouts, and more. Treatments typically take 45 minutes and can be completed in the office or the comfort of your home.

JULY 2022 |

Although there is little scientific evidence of the benefits of specific vitamin cocktails, the benefit of proper hydration is well documented. Since most treatments deliver a liter of fluids into your body, conditions such as headaches or the effects of digestive illness can be mitigated with additional hydration. Did a heavy night of drinking leave you tired? A liter of fluids can definitely help. You can find dedicated IV hydration therapy bars all over town—many medical spas also offer the service. Before trying IV therapy, check with your doctor. People with kidney or heart disease might have adverse effects from additional fluids unless prescribed by a doctor familiar with their diagnosis. For everyone else, IV therapy offers a novel way to hydrate when you need it the most.

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Classic & Modern Designer Katy Sullivan loves combining classic pieces with unique and unexpected elements to add personality to a home. But above all, she enjoys the process of getting to know her clients, designing to their style, and creating a space that reflects their lives and personal aesthetic. Come explore your style with Katy at Madden McFarland.

Leawood, KS | maddenmcfarland.com

Women’s Health presented by

AdventHealth

IN KC by

Emily Park

Soak Up the Sun ADVENTHEALTH’S CODY GUGGENMOS ON VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

tains almost no vitamin D, while formula does—that’s why he recommends supplementing breast-fed babies with vitamin D. Wondering if you could have a vitamin D deficiency? The most common symptom is fatigue. “The most common reason I look for vitamin D deficiency in patients is unexplained fatigue,” says Guggenmos. “When you can’t find anything else wrong, but you’re still tired all the time, maybe low vitamin D is the answer. Some other slightly less common manifestations include frequent illness, muscle or bone pain, or even mood issues like depression.” If you have questions about your vitamin D levels, you should talk to your doctor. Prolonged vitamin D deficiency can cause long-term problems, such as osteomalacia, or soft bones, which results in a higher likelihood of injury and bone pain.

ver the last few months, Cody Guggenmos, a family medicine physician with AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Lenexa, has diagnosed more cases of vitamin D deficiency than he usually does. “I doubt there are specifically ‘more’ cases of vitamin D deficiency than there previously were; I think doctors are just looking for it more often,” says Guggenmos. “I recently read a great article about how patients with low vitamin D were more likely to have severe illness related to Covid infections, so I became suspicious and started checking vitamin D levels on my patients more often. That’s when I personally started to notice how common low vitamin D levels are in the community.” Why is vitamin D so important? Guggenmos says it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which is how bones are built and strengthened. There’s also quite a bit of evidence that vitamin D reduces inflammation, helps resist infections, and even slows the growth of cancerous cells in the body. While vitamin D is beneficial for everyone, it’s particularly important for women’s health, as women’s bodies have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures later in life. CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY Vitamin D deficiency comes from both inadequate exposure to sunlight and dietary deficiencies, but there are some people who have naturally lower levels of vitamin D due to challenges absorbing the vitamin. “People with darker skin color almost always have lower blood levels of vitamin D,” says Guggenmos. “The melanin (pigment) in dark skin really helps reduce the damaging effects of the sun and prevent skin cancer, but it also reduces the ability to synthesize vitamin D from direct sunlight.” Guggenmos notes that infants who are exclusively breast-fed are also more likely to be deficient in vitamin D because breast milk conJULY 2022 |

INCREASING YOUR VITAMIN D LEVELS Thankfully, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency—including osteomalacia—can be reversed by restoring vitamin D to the levels your body needs. This can be done naturally and with the help of supplements. “In the United States, almost all milk is fortified with vitamin D,” says Guggenmos. “You can also drink orange juice or eat ocean fish rich in fat, such as salmon or tuna. And above all else, go get some sunlight! The amount of exposure recommended is of course dependent on how sensitive your skin is to the sun, but it is generally recommended to get at least 20-30 minutes of sunlight every day— which could get you anywhere from 10,000-25,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day.” If you think you’re having trouble sustaining healthy vitamin D levels naturally, ask your doctor to run a blood test to check for a deficiency and guide you through dietary supplements that might help. “Supplementation with anywhere from 1,000-4,000 IU of vitamin D per day is generally considered safe even without seeing a doctor first, but I would ask your doctor before taking any doses larger than that,” Guggenmos recommends. He cautions that too much vitamin D can lead to vitamin D toxicity, which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, bone pain, and kidney problems. “The best way to get vitamin D will always be direct sunlight,” says Guggenmos. “Vitamin D produced in the skin may last twice as long compared to vitamin D supplements we take in pill form. Having said that, there are a lot of great options for vitamin D supplements in pill, capsule, or gummy form. Once you and your doctor decide on the correct amount/dose of supplementaFamily medicine physician tion, you’ll have plenty of good options Cody Guggenmos and brands to choose from.”

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Every Minute Matters Know where to go in an emergency. Your family’s health is your top priority. It’s ours, too. If you or a loved one are injured or experience chest pain, stroke symptoms or severe stomach discomfort, don’t hesitate. You’ll find expert emergency physicians at the AdventHealth [LOCATOR] ER standing by to help you. When minutes matter most.

Four Locations in Johnson County

Prepare for emergencies by locating the ER nearest you at AdventHealthKC.com/ER.

Living

IN KC BY

Patricia O’Dell

All American Rags

Above: Sister Parish Burmese (left) and Burma performance fabrics both in summer blue, $154 per yard, from sisterparishdesign.com.

Above and below: Albert Hadley’s Trixie vinyl grasscloth wallpaper from The House of Scalamandré, available to the trade at Design & Detail (Lenexa).

Above: Sofas covered in Sister Parish’s Maholo performance fabric, $154 per yard, available at sisterparishdesign.com.

JULY 2022 |

IMAGES COURTESY OF SISTER PARISH AND THE HOUSE OF SCALAMANDRÉ.

t would be impossible for me to name my favorite American interior designer. Designers who are traditionalists, modernists, and everything in between have captured my heart and inspired my rooms. But the late Sister Parish and Albert Hadley, of the well-known and now longgone firm of Parish Hadley in New York, are two of my favorites. While their influences were many, in my mind their work is as American and as rich in narrative as the pages of the names in the books at Ellis Island. What better way to celebrate than by covering your porch chair in Mrs. Parish’s Mahalo performance fabric in Prussian Blue? Or Burmese or Burma in Summer Blue on which to prop your feet? Red striped rug? Hooray, U.S.A.! Mr. Hadley was not to be outdone. Trixie, with its bold red stars and black dots on a cream ground, nearly always stops me in my tracks. It graces the ceiling of my office now. 50 | INKANSASCITY.COM

BY THE SEA, THE BEAUTIFUL SEA IF THERE IS ONE THING WE ARE MOST NOTICEABLY LACKING IN KANSAS CITY, IT’S AN OCEAN. BUT WE CAN ALWAYS BRING A LITTLE OF THE BEACH TO OUR OWN LANDLOCKED TABLE. (I MEAN, BEACHES CAN BE A LITTLESTICKY DURING THE SUMMER ANYWAY, RIGHT?) MAKE THE BEST OF IT AND BRING YOUR TABLEWARE ASHORE. August Wren lobster, crab, and shrimp dinner plates, $26 each. August Wren lobster platter, $88. All available at anthropologie.com.

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OME BA

Living

IN KC

Above: Commonwild Flag Co. owner Taylor Triano stands before a replica of the 1876 American Centennial ﬂag she created for the Chicago Cubs. Right: A few of the custom ﬂags Triano has designed.

It’s a High-Flying Flag

Patricia O’Dell

here are all kinds of ways to show your colors, but local artist Taylor Triano, owner and creator of Commonwild Flag Co., has secured a niche market in making custom flags. Triano works with a variety of textiles including vintage mailbags and canvas. Some are handsewn, others are hand stenciled, and it’s likely that you’ve seen them. Her flags hang outside Hotel Kansas City and The Town Co., but not all her work is local. Triano has created custom work out of town, too, including a replica of the 1876 American Centennial flag for the Chicago Cubs corporate office at Wrigley Field. She says the business started when a friend asked if she would create a flag to cover a TV at his restaurant. “While I wasn’t new to the medium, it was a new avenue, and I found myself really drawn to the JULY 2022 |

project itself and thought there was a lot to explore. From there I just ran with it.” Triano started making similar pieces and selling them at pop-ups and art fairs. “Eventually the interest became custom pieces, one-of-akind private commissions and freelance work,” she says. She loves creating pieces that are meant to look older and worn. “It’s like they’ve been somewhere and tell a story. Using certain levels of distress and “vintage-izing” methods, I can really add depth of character.” Clients often give Triano creative freedom, but others have a firm design in mind. She’s happy to work both ways. “It’s fun to bring someone’s vision to life, but it’s great to throw my spin on something.” commonwild.com

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LOOKING AHEAD IN KC

MOONBEAMS AND FIREFLIES FIREWORKS AND PARADES not your style? Really just needing a little peace and quiet over the holiday? Mosey over to House on Scott in Parkville and pick up a beautiful, handcrafted moon bell to hang near the porch and create your own little moment of zen. Need just a smidge more pizazz? Add a little gloss to make it sparkle. houseonscott.com

Arts & Culture...

coming in our August issue

White Half Stack Moon Chimes available in glazed and unglazed, $85 each.

JULY 2022 |

to advertise, contact Brittany Coale at 816.768.8308

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SPONSORED CONTENT

YOUR HOME AS YOUR CASTLE 5 Reasons Why Now Is the Time for a Custom Remodel By Katy Schamberger

PRESENTED BY

Visit www.KarinRossDesigns.com to explore Ross’s design and remodeling portfolio and book a consultation.

KarinRossDesigns.com

as the comfort and refuge of home taken on a new and deeper meaning for anyone else throughout the last few years? “So many of us are spending more time at home, and it ultimately comes to this: Regardless of what happens outside of your home, outside of your bubble, you need to make your home the most enjoyable, inspiring place it can be,” says Karin Ross, the owner of Karin Ross Designs. Consider the oft-used English proverb by Sir Edward Coke, dating back to the 1500s: “An Englishman’s home is his castle.” As the saying made its way across the pond, it morphed into “A man’s home is his castle.” Today, a more inclusive version resonates even more powerfully: “A person’s home is their castle.” Linguistic evolution aside, why should you invest in a custom remodel to transform your home into your own personal palace? When you consider external factors, such as rapidly changing market conditions and rising prices, it might seem like an extensive home update can wait. Yet it’s these same conditions—and other factors— that make this not only a favorable time to update your home, but the perfect time to move forward. Here’s why:

DAILY INSPIRATION: Imagine waking up and being excited for the day ahead and the possibilities it brings. Ross specializes in kitchen- and bathroom-focused custom remodels and says creating a space you’ve always dreamed of is the equivalent of falling in love every day. “Who doesn’t want to fall in love over and over? It’s such a beautiful feeling,” she adds.

INCREASED HOME VALUE: These days, it’s more than a little comforting to know you can make an investment that will see a worthwhile return. That’s one of the many advantages of working with Ross on a custom home remodel, which is much more involved than an at-home face lift. “When we work together to remodel your space, we won’t just change how it looks; we’ll also change the flow and how the space is used,” Ross says. “This is something you can invest in now and bank on later. Plus, a home remodel is less daunting than custom-building a new home because you’re only focusing on one area, rather than the entire floor plan.”

EMBRACE THE TRUE MEANING OF CUSTOM: In the home interiors industry especially, “custom” is one of those words that’s used so often it’s lost the impact of its original meaning. When Ross and her team approach a custom remodel, they factor in both function and form: how a space flows, how it’s used (or could be used), how it should look, how it should feel. Delivering that top-to-bottom transformation requires a meticulous attention to detail. For Ross, that means approaching each project inch-by-inch, corner-by-corner, intricately weaving together individual elements of the space to create a show-stopping finished product.

TIMELESS, NOT TRENDY: If you prefer to infuse your home interior with the latest trends, just as you would your wardrobe, go for it! There’s no one better than Ross to ensure you’re not only following trends, but that you’re setting them, thanks to her Eastern European heritage and penchant for knowing what will be in style long before it hits the States. After understanding your vision, Ross can also ensure you’re not inadvertently putting an expiration date on your home remodel. “I work with clients to help them look forward so that the end result is inspiring and energizing for years, not months,” she says. “Sometimes that means relinquishing a bit of control over to me, but that’s why I keep such an unwavering focus on understanding the client and building trust.”

PERSONALITY, PASSIONS, PANACHE—ALL IN ONE PLACE: One of the many reasons that Ross prefers to focus her transformative interior work in the kitchen is because it’s the heart of the home, the natural gathering spot. “Because your kitchen is so central to your home, it needs to truly represent your essence, another reason a custom remodel is so important,” Ross says. What do you love? Dream about? Crave? Covet? All these things (and more!) can provide compelling inspiration for your custom home update. Let’s say, for example, you have a beloved travel destination, or maybe even a particular restaurant or other place in that far-flung city. Why not incorporate elements of that place so that, instead of counting the days (or months) until you visit again, you can enjoy the essence of that destination as part of your daily life? Leaning more into what you love is also more effective than trend-sourcing, says Ross. Right now, the industry isn’t necessarily swayed by one trend or another, instead opting to keep the focus on an individual client and embracing the true meaning of custom. For Ross, the approach is clear: “We want this new space to speak to your heart,” she says. “We’ll identify what your heart wishes within the parameters of your budget, and then, let me work my magic.”

JULY 2022 |

56 | INKANSASCITY.COM

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Stan Herd words by

Judith Fertig

photo by

‘‘W

Jason Dailey

elcome to my crazy life,” says Stan Herd as he opens the door to his studio in north Lawrence. In the cavernous space, paintings and sketches in various stages of completion are propped here and there. Stacks of books, found objects, paints, and more than one comfy armchair inhabit the warren of rooms where the artist works. Dotted here and there are aerial photos of his most famous portraits: A young Kickapoo woman, Amelia Earhart, Young Woman of Brazil, John Lewis, Saginaw Grant—and most recently, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. They’re joined by “still-life” crop art from the past 40 years, whose full glory can only be captured by a camera fastened to a drone. Internationally known as an artist who creates images, or earthworks, on land, Herd “paints” with soil, rock, plants, and flowers. His work is sometimes called living sculpture. Some earthworks are meant to last only a few seasons. Others are more permanent, but they’re all memorable. Herd counts Van Gogh and Picasso as major inspirations. One of his first earthworks to gain national attention was Sunflower Still Life, an homage to Van Gogh, and there are dried sunflowers and sunflower paintings everywhere. Like Picasso who sketched and painted bulls until he distilled their essence to a swooping black line of paint, Herd keeps experimenting with the sunflower. Herd was born and raised on a wheat and sorghum farm in Protection, Kansas, near the Oklahoma border, where his father also raised cattle. The arid land had formerly been Kiowa hunting grounds. Herd knew early on he didn’t want to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. But there was something about the land and its associations, about the look of crops as they were planted, as they grew, as they were harvested, as they died back, that captured his imagination. A year studying at Wichita State, and Herd moved on to Dodge City, then New Mexico, and finally, Lawrence in 1985, where he found a place that echoes the social activism that thrums through much of his work. Herd has worked on commercial projects, too, such as The Offering,

JULY 2022 |

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an earthwork for Oreo cookies, mimicking a crop circle, with the idea of a peace offering to space aliens, encouraging them to land, relax, and dunk the cookies into a glass of milk. “I’m an artist who makes art with tractors,” he says with a laugh. Did you always want to be a crop artist? No. I wanted to be an avant-garde Abstract Expressionist, but it wasn’t really me. I began to paint the Kansas landscape and Western heritage murals. On an airplane flight, I looked down and thought, oh my god, maybe I could do something on the ground. Manipulate the landscape. I’ve been trying to perfect it ever since. Crop art was a term that Dan Rather coined when he came out to shoot my sunflower field and introduced me as Stan Herd, crop artist, on the CBS Evening News. Peter Jennings one time called me Stan Nerd. Christo was the one who snapped my head. I saw a film on Christo’s Running Fences, about him walking an art concept out into the community. It’s not just the final product. It’s the process. Lawyers, landowners, communities. The power of the work is the collaborative community working together around an art project. How do you go about making crop art or earthworks? You look at the land, the terrain, and find an appropriate image for the appropriate land. You work with a farmer to plant what you need, or a landscape earth mover, using a grid design. Or sometimes I have used uncut farm crops like alfalfa and sunflowers. Three different colors of milo. Winter wheat. At full height, a plant is one color, cut another, stubble a third color, plowed under a fourth. Sometimes I use marble and granite and plants. Your portrait of Amelia Earhart was done a little differently. They wanted a permanent piece. So we did it in native stone and rug juniper and little bluestem. Tell us about your recreation of Van Gogh’s 1889 Olive Trees at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in 2015. They approached me, and my idea was to do a version of Van Gogh’s painting. We ended up using native plants, wheat straw, mulch, gourds, and oats in a field in Eagan, Minnesota. If you’re flying in or out of the Twin Cities and sit on the left side of the plane, you can look out and see it. We planted hundreds of watermelons and cantaloupes, four types of squash. Sage, kale, mums, and coleus. There were a lot of rocks in the field, and I thought I ought to do something with them. Van Gogh’s stroke was slashes of color. Everything is organic and curved and flowing. It’s like a pulse. Everything was moving for him. The oats were supposed to mature to a beautiful, yellow sunlit sky, to be mowed out concentrically, somewhat in the style of Van Gogh’s palette. But we got them in too late. By September, they were brown, not golden. We had to go over them with mulch and wheat straw. So you use lots of tools? Lots. Shovels, hoes, and rakes to gas-powered weed-eaters, tractors, plows, drills, mowers, and of course, nowadays drones capture the progress and allow us to tweak the image under the camera live. In the old JULY 2022 |

days, we used airplanes and helicopters. You’ve done several portraits of young indigenous women—in Kansas, Brazil, and most recently, China. What makes this a recurring motif? A young indigenous woman, just like the land, is beautiful yet vulnerable. To me, this is the essence of the land. As a young man who had grown up on a Kansas farm, I decided I knew something about the land and the people who historically worked the land. My real focus was on the First People—the Native Americans whose land my ancestors had settled. I would dedicate my life to creating statement artworks in the soil of my ancestors. What can they teach us that we don’t know? In 1988, I did Little Girl in the Wind. It was a portrait of a Kansas Kickapoo woman, Carol Cadue. Strong and fragile. I worked with Wes Jackson of the Land Institute in Salina. I was invited to speak at the Land Institute and met Carol. I did a portrait of her and from that came the inspiration for my first prairie piece done without plowing. That image continues to haunt me. Our connection to the past. Our connection to the land. I’m always looking for balance, for a workable solution. Young Woman of Brazil constructed near a favela or slum in Sao Paulo took three years to do. There were financial and political problems down there that delayed the project. The concept was to create a large living earthwork with the nearby community—including children, artists, activists, and gardeners—to design, create, and finally work the two-acre site. The produce would go to the local schools, and the farmers would be subsidized for a couple of years to insure early success. This is an experiment. Can an art project of this nature actually help transform a blighted area? We will see. In 2015, we completed Young Woman of China in Yunnan province. I was contacted by a Chinese business executive who had seen my work in Minneapolis. He asked me to create a work for their 800-acre park. It’s an earthwork of marble and granite and flowers embedded in the hillside. If they have major earthquakes in China, the Great Wall is in trouble, but our project is not. We try to build a community around the earthwork—gardens for people to work and visit and more—to change the dynamic of a place. Human consciousness thrives on beauty and diminishes in its void. And the Ancient Fish Maze. The 80-million-year-old, 20-foot-long carnivorous fossil fish xiphactinus, like Jaws swimming around in our inland sea. We cut that from dormant alfalfa in a field near Lawrence. You also do commercial work. Crop art is an expensive undertaking. I was leery at first about purely commercial projects, but I see them as a way of funding my other projects. I’ve done some fun things over the years. Like what? An earthwork for the movie Signs. It looked like an alien landing strip. Absolut Vodka. The Nieman Marcus Christmas catalog. The Oreo project was out of this world, literally. We created a design

58 | INKANSASCITY.COM

photo by tktk

Young Women of China, which Herd calls the most important work of his life, is a four-acre permanent image created with the help of ethnic minority laborers, engineers, heavy equipment operators, Chinese friends, and his family. It took 18 months to complete and was created to bring attention to the 50 ethnic minority groups in the Yunnan region.

of an Oreo cookie in a green field, with a center golden oval “somewhere in Kansas.” It had a double bed, a refrigerator stocked with milk, and packs of Oreos and a glass of milk for dunking. What space alien could resist? The Catch-22 is that the hungry artist looking for a way to survive often finds it necessary to purse the marketplace of the art world, the marketplace of the corporate world or government grants. But I’m thinking I need to do more commercial work so I can do more of my other projects.

How has living in this area helped form and nurture your career? It’s central to wherever I go. I like the Native American idea of going in the four directions and bringing back to your village all you have learned from your travels. I’m proud to be part of the Prairie Renaissance group here, people who want to see positive change in the world. I think it’s important for creative people to surround themselves with other creative people—musicians, filmmakers, poets. I try to do that.

Tell us about an upcoming project. I’ve been finalizing drawings for a new earthwork. It’s going to be a portrait of Pele, the soccer star, for the World Cup in Qatar this November. It’s too hot and dry to plant there, so this one will be from stone. I’m still waiting for approval from Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani (the sister of the Emir of Qatar).

And you did venture into filmmaking. I was the associate producer of The Only Good Indian. Wes Studi starred, Kevin Wilmott directed, and we shot it in the Flint Hills.

What is the best part of creating earthworks? The most satisfying element of creating huge works with multiple assistants, landowners, horticulturists, photographers, students, and the community, is the collective nature of the experience—a feeling of utilizing the “creation” of the work as a catalyst for exchange and enlightenment. I feel like the works are, at best, a platform for the discussion of nature, mankind’s relationship with nature, the environment, and art as an agent of change. JULY 2022 |

You’ve been creating art for 40 years. What have you learned? I told a young musician friend that creating art—music, poetry, film—is akin to a religion, a belief that you are here for a purpose and that those who figure that out, live life at a level that is not available to others. That is your gift. You can’t fail, if you don’t quit. I also believe that life is a journey about trying to balance your ego, your belief in yourself, against the presumption that you are special and deserve more than you have. It is a constant battle all of your life to strike that balance.

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Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity.

Making a Difference IN KANSAS CITY words by

Katie Van Luchene

photos by

Jim Robinson

t’s natural to meet someone new and try to find common ground. In Kansas City that could be an alma mater or the neighborhood where you grew up, a favorite vendor at a farmers market or where to get the best sushi or burnt ends. And so it is with this roster of Innovators and Influencers—they are as diverse as the readers of this publication. They hail from a variety of places: the crowded streets of India, a rural town of 8,000, or Kansas City’s Brookside. One owns over 80 patents for inventions, one has a Grammy, and another sings opera. Several devote at least part of their busy schedules to teaching—from sewing to dance, architecture to radiology, and even guitar licks. But there’s plenty to learn from each individual as they share one central goal: to make this city better—more inclusive, more vibrant, more welcoming.

JULY 2022

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In front, left to right: Rachel Kennedy, Justus West. Second row, left to right: Kathy Nelson, Gary Abbott, Amy Patel, Klassie Alcine, Shakhar Gupta. Back row, left to right: Brandon Boulware, Whitney Manney, David Dowell.

TECHNOLOGY

SHEKHAR GUPTA

hen Shekhar Gupta wanted to help save North America’s cattle industry millions of dollars a year, his invention was on the nose. Actually, the snout. Founder and CEO of MyAnIML, Gupta developed patent-pending technology that uses artificial intelligence to analyze a picture of a cow’s face and muzzle to predict diseases up to four days before the animal exhibits symptoms. Once notified, the rancher can isolate the sick cow before disease can spread to the rest of the herd. The potential savings to the country’s cattle business is astronomical. It’s estimated that diseases and deaths in cattle herds cost U.S. farmers and ranchers more than $70 billion a year. Gupta cites one local customer’s example from last December, the year the company was launched. Of the rancher’s 400 cows, two were ill and immediately isolated. “This particular disease has a 75 percent chance of spreading,” he says. “So, in this one case alone, the rancher saved more than $14,000 in a month.” That’s huge for an industry with such tight margins—and especially coming out of the financial rigors of the pandemic. In developing the software program, Gupta knew he had to make it easy to use. “Ranchers work from sunup to sundown, seven days a week,” he says. “We show them how to install the cameras on feeder trucks and

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other strategic locations, then how to receive notification of any illness via our app, a text, or email.” Having multi-generation ranchers on his team provides an immediate “I’ve been in your boots” communication and builds trust. Gupta spends his time in the field—literally—as well. “I don’t have an office,” says the man who will often drive from Columbia to Manhattan to speak with ranchers about their challenges. Helping the cattle business save money is a microcosm of Gupta’s mission. In 1990, he immigrated from India to the United States—what the rest of the world considers “the land of plenty”—but saw poverty, homelessness, and joblessness, just like in every other country. In 1996, he moved to Kansas City and has been distressed to see a community increasingly in need. “That’s why, with any product I develop, whether it’s business-to-business or consumer-based, it must have a social purpose,” he says. “Companies can use my products or systems to save money so they can hire more people and pay them a better wage.” Gupta has passed his generous spirit to his teenage son, who uses profits from developing websites to buy toys for kids every Christmas through the Salvation Army. Using technology for altruism. For Shekhar Gupta, it’s at the heart of everything he does.

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SPORTS

KATHY NELSON

ven on vacation in the United Kingdom, Kathy Nelson is repping Kansas City; wearing a red jacket with a Chiefs logo, she holds a blue “We Want the World Cup” knit scarf in front of Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle. A week or so after her trip, FIFA was due to announce the World Cup 2026 host cities; Kansas City was one of 17 hoping for good news. (Fasten your seatbelt, Kansas City. We’ll be hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 Games here in the heartland.) But Nelson doesn’t have time to pause. She’s too busy juggling. She’s been CEO of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation since 2011 and in January 2022 also took over the helm of Visit KC, the city’s tourism agency. When announcing her dual titles, Mayor Quinton Lucas praised her many leadership skills including kindness. It’s an apt description for one of the most powerful women in a city known for its niceness. Does that help lure big events to town? “Yes, because kindness helps build relationships,” she says. “But more than that, we have proven we show up. We follow through on details, and we earn the trust of everyone we partner with.” That shoot-and-score attitude will be on display when the NFL Draft comes here in 2023. “This will be the biggest event we’ve ever host-

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ed,” Nelson says of the multi-day fan festival that’s estimated to make a $120 million economic impact. Union Station will be the main site for the NFL Draft, the same camera-friendly backdrop for the Royals’ World Series victory party in 2015 and the Chiefs Super Bowl celebration in 2020. The Super Bowl parade remains one of Nelson’s pinch-me moments. “Being part of the team that coordinated that incredible sea of red was a thrill.” Kansas City is also in the running to host the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cup Tournaments. It’s estimated that more than four million fans could attend the men’s and women’s tourneys. Among countless awards during her career, Kathy was enshrined into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 and earned the Team KC and KC Area Development Council’s MVP Award in 2022. But her most prized accomplishment is raising two daughters who follow her commitment to volunteering, a practice she learned from her own parents. “I watched my mom and dad volunteer for everything growing up,” she says, “from schools to our church, to the polling places. They instilled in me a desire to build a strong community.” That’s why you’ll most likely see daughters Haley and Hannah wearing volunteer T-shirts at a local sports event. Especially during the 2026 World Cup.

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POLITICAL ACTIVISM

BRANDON BOULWARE

he individuals are in this article because they’re doing things right. One is here because he did something wrong, but for all the right reasons. Typically, a blunder is confessed privately to a spouse or colleague. Brandon Boulware did his mea culpa in front of the Missouri State House in 2021. He spoke during a hearing on a resolution that would ban transgender high school athletes from participating in girls’ sports in Missouri. The video of his compelling testimony—as a father of a transgender daughter—went viral on social media. The ACLU clocked the number of views at 20 million. He was there to share the story of how he’d kept his young daughter from wearing girl clothes or playing with girl toys. “I thought I was doing the right thing because I didn’t want her to be teased or get bullied.” But during his testimony, and even now, a year later, his voice catches when he admits, “I was doing this for myself, too, so I wouldn’t have to answer uncomfortable questions.” Once he realized his misguided actions were hurting his child, he says, “I got it. Your number one job as a parent is to protect your child. To hold onto that child’s spirit. To keep that light lit.” By forcing his daughter to act like a stereotypical boy, she was miserable with no confidence and no friends. When Brandon changed his

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stance, the transformation was almost immediate. She grew her hair long, dressed the way she wanted and joined a girls’ volleyball team. “I think my testimony resonated with so many people because I expressed that it’s okay to have those initial, selfish thoughts like I did. That’s your instinct. “I tried to point out that this isn’t an abstract issue to help legislators win votes. This has an impact on real people. And that people can evolve and develop like I did.” Boulware made his case with a quiet, measured rhetoric. “It’s counterproductive to try to shame or yell at the people making hard decisions,” he says. “I wanted to develop a connection; to show political leaders that we’re not so dissimilar even if we may not initially agree on the transgender sports issue.” But it wasn’t the media buzz that impressed Boulware the most. It’s the dozens of positive emails and phone calls he received from people he considers staunch conservatives, including legislators. “They expressed thanks for helping them see this issue from my perspective. A father who simply wants his daughter—and so many like her—to be who she is.” Some told him they may be working privately behind the scenes, he says. And that’s just fine. Reaching and educating new advocates may be one reason the anti-transgender bill died on the house floor for the past two years.

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ARTS

GARY ABBOTT

hat does it mean for Gary Abbott to always have “Guggenheim Fellow” associated with his name? “I’m still flying high,” he says about the annual award given to mid-career individuals who show exceptional promise. This year, more than 2,000 entries were received, and the field was narrowed down to 180 winners. As a professor of dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, it’s especially gratifying to join the ranks of other choreographers and teachers, such as Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham. Abbott credits the teachers and mentors who made him into the artist, dancer, and person he is today. “I’ve been so blessed to have people in my life who were so generous,” he says. “Who let me create anything I wanted to create.” And, he adds, put up with him while he struggled and ultimately flourished. Chief among them is Barbara Sullivan, his first dance teacher at the Atlanta Dance Theatre in his hometown. “She was stern and yet patient,” he says of the woman who recently passed away. “She taught me the importance of being serious about my work, and yet to enjoy it because you have to have joy with something that is so demanding.” Abbott spent ten years at Denver’s Cleo Parker Robinson Dance where he continued to thrive as a choreographer. He says about the company’s founder, “Cleo is just brilliant; a strong and passionate and hilarious lady who cares about people. She taught me about generosity of spirit,

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and how to treasure the people I work with.” He hopes to instill those same attributes in his students. “My biggest thing is being authentic,” he says. “This is an honest craft; you can’t take it back to the studio to remix.” It’s also a rigorous craft, and Abbott likes to challenge any student or ensemble under his watchful eye. Along with the UMKC Conservatory, he’s choreographed and taught at universities and workshops worldwide including Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago and Kansas City’s Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company. One of his signature dances is Parallel Lives, a staccato piece that’s as demanding as a Stephen Sondheim song. Abbott laughs at the correlation. “It’s true. With a piece this intricate, dancers have to rely on each other, trust each other, bond with each other to get through the steps.” He says the moves reflect women’s strengths, something he knows about; he was raised in a household of eight females. “It’s about women of all walks of life who find ways to support each other.” It also reflects the poor and disenfranchised. “Sometimes,” he says, “the people who have the least can be the most generous.” The struggles of Black and Brown people will be the inspiration for his next choreographed piece, Breaking the Dam: Mass Incarceration. The dance, which he plans to premiere around this time next year, will be created in appreciation of his Guggenheim award.

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ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN

DAVID DOWELL

avid Dowell has the best of both worlds. He shares two homes with his wife, Kathy Aron Dowell: a peaceful abode in the Flint Hills of Kansas and a condo in the Crossroads Art District. His offices, however, are wherever his work takes him. He ticks off a few of El Dorado Architect’s 25 projects in various stages of completion around the globe. His team just finished an art-filled public space at Mayo Clinic, which Dowell describes as world-class as the center’s medical care. In the plains of Kansas, planning is underway to expand the Volland General Store’s art gallery and studio space. The result will be a dynamic community hub. Drive by the Kansas City PBS studios on 31st Street and you may see a huge parking lot behind a chain-link fence. David sees a dramatic new space for what he calls a community treasure. The re-envisioned home for KCPBS, Flatland, and 90.9 The Bridge radio station includes refreshed existing spaces and creating new ones. “The end result will be a healthier, more flexible and functional place to work and host events,” he says, with abundant light, indoor and outdoor spaces, gardens, a welcoming hospitality area, and a screening room. Dowell is also excited about the Kansas City Zoo’s Aquarium, a project to be completed in 2023. “People think of an aquarium as entertainment,” he says, “but what they may not know is that our zoo does amazing conservation work. This new development will help further that mission

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while engaging the visitors’ emotions, sparking curiosity, and building a passion for the ocean.” But perhaps El Dorado’s most impressive commitment—certainly its largest to date—is the Convergence Canopy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Phase one design of Al Masar, a linear park system that spans the city of Riyadh. Dowell’s team is collaborating with a handful of world-class architectural and landscaping firms including Coen+Partners. When finished, the multi-billion dollar, 82-mile-long health and wellness corridor will include trails, water features, cultural facilities, and public art. That public art aspect has been a touchstone for Dowell throughout his career. El Dorado partners with artists and curators whenever possible. For instance, when it renovated the Crossroads Hotel, the team worked with Tiffany Thompson and Hesse McGraw. The 131-room boutique hotel includes a gallery and studio space that allows for exhibitions, artist commissions, and performances. Despite its growing client list including new opportunities stemming from a new office in Portland, Oregon, El Dorado has just two partners and 28 staff members. “But for a firm that’s really intimate and detail oriented,” Dowell says, “that’s as big as we want to be.” Four or five employees were once his students at Design+Make at Kansas State University. “It’s kind of a prolonged interview,” he says. “It’s not why I teach. I do it because I love it, and because I learn so much from the students every year.”

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MUSIC

JUSTUS WEST

ome musicians grimace while hunching over piano keys or gripping a guitar, as if to demonstrate that making art is hard, yo. Not Justus West. Whether on stage or in his living room demonstrating a technique on YouTube he may not even realize he’s smiling “That’s been my thing since I was young,” he says. “It comes from my love of the instrument, the joy of trying something new and nailing it. “Even if I’m at a gig and playing someone else’s music, I try to covertly bring in something fresh. I try to really connect with the music and think about the message it’s invoking. And that makes me happy.” He comes by his talent naturally. His mom, Charmelle Cofield, is a successful singer-songwriter-producer with two gospel albums to her name. She’s sung backup for mega-stars like Beyonce, Tech N9ne and Mary J. Blige. So, it should have been no surprise that West had a gift. One day he watched his mom write a song on her guitar, then leave to meet with a producer. By the time she returned home her eight-year-old firstborn had learned to play it by ear. “It’s time for you to take lessons,” she said. By the time he was 11, they began performing together at church. But it wasn’t until the duo played at 18th and Vine’s Blue Room that he felt the real power he had over an audience. “We had to get special permission for me to even be there at my age,” he says. “I was the Kid

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on the Vine.” At 16 he won a national competition to perform on stage with Vince Gill in Nashville—grinning the entire time. “I freakin’ love him,” West says of the musician best known for country music. Wait, country music? That’s just fine with West, who doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into any specific genre. “Soul, fusion, gospel, modern pop, hip-hop, R & B, sonic, country, jazz; I don’t want to box myself in,” he says. By 18, West was touring and writing with names like John Mayer, Ty Dolla $ign, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, and John Legend. That last collaboration earned him a Grammy for co-writing and co-producing a track on the Bigger Love album. Did he attend the Grammy award show? “I didn’t even watch it on TV,” he says with a laugh. “I was nominated two times the year before, but I’m not all that into industry stuff. Maybe I will be someday.” If his discography reveals a signature style, it’s an ambient, melodic sound with harmonic vocals. But that doesn’t mean West doesn’t like to shred, his fingers moving at lightning speed on the guitar strings. The 23-year-old recently performed at Knuckleheads and The Ship and is looking for additional venues. He’s excited to drop his new single, House Cats, in late July, and is working on a new album that he says will “tie in the last few years of where I’ve been and where I’m going. I want people have a clear understanding of who I am.”

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HEALTHCARE

AMY PATEL

ith so many awards and accomplishments at such a young age, does Amy Patel think she’ll see “Home of Dr. Amy Patel” marking the entrance to Chillicothe, Missouri? “No,” she says with a laugh. “My hometown is known as the Home of Sliced Bread.” Civic recognition aside, Patel says she learned a lot from growing up in a rural community of 8,000 residents, starting with lack of access. There was only one female doctor in the entire town and patients had to drive to Kansas City for specialized care. At one time she considered returning to Chillicothe as a primary care physician but found her calling after a rotation in breast radiology during medical school. “It wasn’t just the incredible advances being made in breast imaging,” she recalls. “It was the patient care aspect, how we can connect with them on a personal level.” By age 31, she was a clinical instructor of radiology at Harvard Medical School. But she missed the Midwest, so when she had a chance to become medical director of the Women’s Imaging Center at Liberty Hospital, it was an easy yes. In 2020, she became a partner at Alliance Radiology, a division of the hospital. In total, she’s part of an extensive team that provides health services to one-quarter of Missouri, including rural areas. In fact, her mission is to provide quality breast care to every patient, no matter the location, age, socio-economic status, or gender.

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Yes, gender. Patel points out that 1 in 800 men will develop breast cancer. She’s also attuned to the special needs of transgender patients. Another group she feels is underserved is people of color who may have no insurance or be fearful of the medical industry. Before the pandemic, she would meet with women in Black churches after service to answer questions, dispel myths, and build trust. Being a person of color hasn’t held Patel back. Neither has being a woman. At the University of Kansas-Wichita she was the first female chief resident in an all-male program. “I was elected by my peers, not appointed,” she says, “which meant a lot to me. I wanted to set a precedent for other women in the years to come.” Patel continues to be a role model for other women entering her field as an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Of her students she says “I am just blown away. These women can conquer the world. I come back refreshed because this generation is giving me so much hope.” Patel is also providing hope; she was involved in helping pass the Missouri legislative bill to expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings, especially for younger, at-risk patients. So, what does this remarkable woman do to relax? She takes opera singing lessons. In fact, she gave up a scholarship to UMKC Conservatory to attend medical school. Her patients, colleagues, and students think she made the right choice.

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FASHION

WHITNEY MANNEY

here’s a full circle at play in this fashion designer’s life: Whitney Manney taught herself to sew when she was 13 by taking apart then reconstructing thrift-store clothes. Now her accessories can be seen on the TV show Bel-Air, a remix of the popular Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series. Seeing her signature colorful graphics on screen is just one of several big moments this year, including partnerships with Joanne Fabrics and Velcro. “I just remember to keep myself in check,” she says. “Some people work for 20 years to get these kinds of opportunities.” She’s done it in the decade since graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute. Will she allow herself a pat on the back? “A quick one,” she says, then gets back to her to-do list. It’s a long list for a woman who has worked hard to create her own career on her own terms. One driving force is the mantra CSHP, which stands for create, stunt, hustle, and pray. Three of those come naturally, but then there’s stunt—learning to have the confidence to engage with the public while wearing her WM Brand. “When I’m out, I want people to get the full Whitney experience.” While she is a one-woman enterprise—she designs, creates her own textiles, makes many of the garments, and maintains a robust online presence—Manney will never say she’s done this alone.

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She credits her parents for teaching her entrepreneurial skills and instilling a rigid work ethic. When starting out, Manney worked two or three part-time jobs in addition to putting in 30 hours a week in the studio. “I don’t have the luxury of waiting for inspiration. I have to keep to the system. Sometimes I feel like I’m still in school with a project due tomorrow.” Manney’s not resting with recent successes. She’s expanding her studio space with a goal of owning a building. She has a new collection coming out soon and continues to look for partnership opportunities with media production companies and retailers. For instance, right now she’s dyeing 72 sweatshirts for local fashion shop, Cherry Co. And for the ninth summer she’ll be teaching sewing skills to kids through HALO Foundation. What’s not on her immediate radar is participating in a local runway show like West 18th Street or Kansas City Fashion Week. “My last runway show was in 2013, and I miss it,” she says. “But I’m a small shop and creating so many looks is a big commitment. I have to keep the lights on.” That tug of war—the buzz of seeing your work on the runway versus making money—is a hard call for any artist. The battle is reflected in two songs playing behind the hum of Manney’s sewing machine on a recent late night: Anita Baker’s Body and Soul and Puff Daddy’s It’s All About the Benjamins.

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

RACHEL KENNEDY

ans of Rachel Kennedy’s Cubano sandwiches and torrejas, a Cuban-style French toast, used to track her Plaintain District food truck through social media. She dealt with the typical problems of a nomad food provider’s life: finding viable locations, dealing with rules and legal issues, and attracting crowds. And she knew she wasn’t the only one. That’s when Kennedy put her dual degrees in business and dietetics on the front burner to create a permanent location for local food vendors and retail shops. Rather than food trucks, she envisioned reconfigured shipping containers, a relatively cheap and plentiful resource that was just starting to gain attention in commercial and residential markets. She used her daughter’s Lego blocks to develop the blueprint and pitched the idea of an open courtyard ringed by the containers to civic leaders in North Kansas City. The resulting Iron District opened in 2019. “It thrived, due to so many pluses,” Kennedy says. “First, it costs so much less to buy and renovate a shipping container than build or purchase an existing stand-alone restaurant.” It became an easy-access incubator for chefs who wanted to test a concept or menu. The open-air concept turned out to be the Iron District’s saving grace during Covid. “People felt safe going there,” she recalls. My husband and I would spend every weekend there with our 5- and 8-year-old daughters. So that’s what they remember from that time; eating fun food, reading books outside. That became their new normal.”

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Kennedy watched her vision succeed and by 2021 knew it was time to hand the reins to someone who could continue to grow and develop the project. “I found the perfect person to take over,” she says. “Madison Moore is a young, smart woman who thrives in this fast-paced environment. “She’s also a whiz at marketing and social media, something crucial to attracting new consumers and businesses.” On a recent Friday night, the small city within a city was humming with couples, groups of friends and families, some with dogs, gathered under colorful patio umbrellas. Tables overflowed with an array of options including tacos, black-bean burgers, wontons, pizza, beer, cocktails, and sodas. The calendar is filled with trivia contests, live music, DJs, and retro-cocktail nights. Retail shops offer fashions, gifts, and décor. Kennedy calls the Iron District “the little engine that could.” By leaving on a high note, she’s now putting her experience to use on a project she says is massive. Along with two partners, she’s creating SERV, a food and entertainment venue that will become part of the Promontory mixed-use development in Overland Park, which includes 300 apartments with more on the way. Kennedy isn’t ready to disclose all the elements that will make SERV a success, except for one: pickleball courts. Looks like her family will soon have a new place to spend weekends.

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NONPROFITS

KLASSIE ALCINE

lassie Alcine apologizes for being late for a phone call. She had a good excuse: she was consoling a woman who’d just lost a family member to gun violence. It’s just one of the tragedies she deals with daily as the president of KC Common Good, a nonprofit founded to address the root causes of violence in our city. One of the first steps is to connect people in need with resources. In 2021, KCCG launched Community Connector, an online list of community services, financial assistance, government offices, addiction and mental health services, and more. The portal is anonymous, continually updated and mobile-friendly because over 60 percent of users access it through a phone. And it’s working. Alcine spoke of a woman who had to choose between buying diapers and putting gas in her car so she could go to work. She was connected to the Happy Bottoms organization. KCCG also maintains the Community Calendar to consolidate local events, programming, and meetings. Resources include job fairs, food drives, and volunteer opportunities. The organization’s focus on at-risk youth compelled Alcine to spearhead the Working for Youth program, which found paid internships for 400 kids last summer. “The outcomes are remarkable,” she says. “Students make money, get valuable work experience and have something to be proud of. Programs like this can keep kids in school so that more of them graduate.

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“We hear from kids who say, ‘I won’t make it past 16.’ This gives them hope for a future, possibly for the very first time.” The program is now part of ProX, an initiative tied to the Kauffman Foundation’s Real World Learning network with more than 20 other partners such as the Chamber of Commerce. This summer, more than 500 students will work as interns at more than 100 companies including CBIZ and Ruby Jean’s Juicery. While Alcine is thrilled with the program’s success, there are still moments during her day that bring her to tears. “We get six to eight requests a week to cover funeral costs,” she says. So how does she maintain the joyful leadership she’s known for? “I just think about the softest voices in the room,” she says, something she learned as political director for former U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s reelection campaign in 2012. “Claire used that phrase often; those soft voices were usually women and children.” Alcine found her own voice when her mother suggested she take a debate class in high school. As she gained confidence, she transformed from a feeling of unworthiness to a young woman with purpose. She had plans to become a criminal defense attorney until, while at UMKC, a supervisor told her, “Your personality is way too big to be a lawyer. You need to work in politics.” That decree may come true. When the timing is right, Alcine plans to run for the U.S. Senate. “That’s where I can affect real change.”

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An Appetite for Innovation

TEN METRO FOOD INDUSTRY INNOVATORS ARE DRIVING THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FOOD FUTURE words by

Jenny Vergara

serve food during certain hours to create a better quality of life for themselves and their employees. There are those in our community right now who are creating services to help stop food insecurity and provide culinary job training for those needing the work. Kansas City may not have the width and breadth of international cuisines that a larger city may offer, but we do have people willing to share their own flavors, foods, and experiences that allow us the opportunity to learn more about the people and cultures who are influencing our food scene and call Kansas City home. Innovation can be found anywhere you find open hearts and minds, willing to take that first bite.

he bar for what might have been called “innovative” in our food and drink scene in the past has changed with the global pandemic, and the impact on our local foodways and restaurants will be felt for years to come. Yet, with any challenge comes new and creative ways to think about what we eat, the food we buy, who makes it, how they are paid, and even what we pay for the pleasure of eating it. We are seeing new retail stores, restaurants, bars, cafés, and coffee shops opening, with some choosing to open smaller, but more profitable and manageable locations that take less labor, while others may only

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Jackie Nguyen Owner of Cafe Cà Phê

She may have come from New York City to Kansas City to ride out the pandemic, but Jackie Nguyen hasn’t spent a moment of her time here waiting for her next role. Instead, she has cast herself in a new one, as owner of her own mobile drink cart, Café Cà Phê, ready to introduce Vietnamese coffee to the people of Kansas City. Armed with nothing more than her colorful personality, barista skills, and brave heart, she has taught this city how to love her sweetly strong Vietnamese coffee and her culture at the same time. She has used her platform to bring awareness to AAPI issues, and has organized rallies, vigils, and celebrations to support the community. With her eye on building a more diverse and inclusive coffee culture in Kansas City, she will open her own coffee shop in Columbus Park this summer, building pride in her community in a city that has adopted her as one of their own.

Jill Cockson

Max Kaniger

Owner of Swordfish Tom’s and Chartreuse Saloon

Founder/Executive Director of Kanbe’s Markets As the son of a chef, Max Kaniger grew up surrounded by good food and plenty of it. It was only during his travels abroad that he saw firsthand how not everyone had access to fresh food daily, and he came back to Kansas City on a mission to give everyone in his community that chance. Kanbe’s Markets is the nonprofit he launched two years later, stocking his first convenience stores in Kansas City’s worst food deserts with kiosks brimming with fresh produce, giving the people the ability to purchase in-season ingredients to create nourishing meals for their families. During the pandemic, Kanbe’s was approached to help feed more of Kansas City’s food insecure by purchasing and processing the farm-fresh produce into meals used to feed the hungry. With the menu of Kanbe’s services getting longer, Kaniger’s goal to eliminate food insecurity grows closer with every bite.

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Just as any bartender must know the exact measurements needed to make each cocktail distinct and delicious, Jill Cockson and her head for numbers took those careful calculations even further, creating her own formula for tiny-bar success. She has proven her theory not only in her own two bars, Swordfish Tom’s and Chartreuse Saloon, but her higher math can also be seen at Drastic Measures, the Shawnee cocktail bar she helped open with Jay Sanders and partners Derick and Shelley Shackelford. It is a recipe that she has demonstrated can work in any neighborhood and with any type of bar. If you keep the space and menu small, have only a few core employees that you pay a fair wage, have the opportunity to bonus, provide access to healthcare, and allow them to make quality quaffable cocktails, profitability is sure to follow. It is a lesson in “small is the new big” the entire industry could take a page from, especially in these lean aftertimes.

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Chef Keeyoung Kim

Co-Founder of Sura Eats and Chingu

Curtis Herrera & Miel Castagna-Herrera Owners of Café Corazon

When they couldn’t find the Latin coffee experience they were looking for in Kansas City, Curtis Herrera—who is Mexican on his father’s side—and his wife, Miel Castagna-Herrera—whose father hails from Argentina—decided to create it. Together they opened Café Corazon, their expressly Latin coffee shop, now with two locations. Showing Kansas City how communal, convivial, and colorful Latin coffee can be, they offer unique drinks, such as Café de Olla, Café Cubano, and Café Con Leche, representing a wide range of Latin countries, made with beans roasted by Messenger Coffee. They are also one of the few places in Kansas City to serve Yerba Mate, a highly caffeinated herb, infused with water and drank like tea in South America. Even their pastries come from local Latin makers including their signature empanadas and tamales. Providing the flavors, tradition, ceremony, and ritual associated with Latin coffee is at the beating heart of Café Corazon.

It has taken time for Kansas City to really understand and crave the flavor profile of Korean food, and Chef Keeyoung Kim has played the willing teacher, slowly pushing us out of our comfort zones and into the sweet, salty, spicy heat of his own cuisine. He started slowly, introducing us to bowls of bibimbap and kimchi fried rice with a fried egg on top at his pop-up-turned-food stand, Sura Eats, located inside of Parlor, and soon he will expand our curriculum with his first full-service restaurant and bar, Chingu, opening in Westport this July. Chingu is Kim’s invitation for people to dive deeper into Korean food and drink culture, with a menu that combines street foods, Korean barbecue, and Korean home cooking all served with a cup of house-made soju, a Korean spirit made by a local distillery exclusively for him. Although Kim and his business partner, David Son, could teach a master class on how to grow a restaurant business and brand slowly and sustainably, they are also educating this city on how cool Korean culture can be.

Marissa Gencarelli & Mark Gencarelli

Brian Roberts

Owner of The Black Pantry

Owners of Yoli Tortilleria

When Brian Roberts launched The Black Pantry, a retail shop selling curated items by Black makers, creators, and artists in response to the death of George Floyd, he created more than just a place, but a purpose and a pulpit from which to speak on more things needed to be said and heard by the entire city. His goal was to elevate and support the Black community and give confidence to those makers that if they create it, he has a space to sell it, moving the conversation directly to commerce. From having his own retail shop inside the Made in KC flagship in Midtown to now having The Black Pantry-branded corners inside other independent retail stores where he sells food, drink, and artisan products made by Black-owned businesses are small steps in the right direction. With a background in marketing and merchandise management, Roberts has managed to create more than just a space to “shop Black,” he has created a powerful platform to bring awareness of and introduce new creators and their products to Kansas City. JULY 2022

By taking traditional tortilla-making processes native to Mexico and applying them to seasonal Midwestern ingredients, Marissa and Mark Gencarelli have perfected a line of stone-ground corn tortillas and Sonoran-style flour tortillas for Yoli Tortilleria that are so good they caught the attention of the James Beard Foundation who named them a semifinalist in the Outstanding Baker category this year, marking the first time a tortilleria had received a national nod in this category. Although the honor pushed their five-year-old company onto a national stage, the couple remains committed to their Kansas City roots as they recently expanded into a larger production facility on Southwest Boulevard and have thoughtfully diversified their tortilla, salsa, and masa offerings with the acquisition of Art’s Mexican Food Products, a Kansas City, Kansas-based company known for their corn chips and enchilada sauce. The move marked the respect-filled passing of the torch from one Latina business owner to another, as the two companies (and their owners) share a real culinary passion for growing a line of quality products inspired by Mexico but made in Kansas City.

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Tyler Harp

Chef/Owner of Harp Barbecue After his extensive travels across the country, cooking and learning about many different regional styles of barbecue with the masters, Tyler Harp came back to Kansas City, bought a rig, and started his own culinary journey serving up thick and juicy slices of Texas-style beef brisket, meaty ribs, and his famous blueberry cheddar sausage to sellout crowds that line up on the weekends at Crane Brewing Co. He introduced us to something other than Kansas City-style barbecue, which many would argue over the years has gotten a bit complacent. Harp has injected a little youth, vitality, and bravado to our barbecue scene, so much so that the barbecue writer at Texas Monthly crowned his brisket the best in the city to no one’s surprise. More than that, Harp is creating barbecue culture and camaraderie while leading the next generation of Kansas City pitmasters—including Chef J BBQ, Scott’s Kitchen, Burn Theory Fire, Buck Tui BBQ, and Night Goat BBQ—into the spotlight, asking them to come and cook at his annual Harp Barbecue Festival every year.

Robin Krause

Owner of Billie’s Grocery and Unbakery & Juicery Health and wellness became a primary focus for Robin Krause in 2004, after she grew and sold her popular local chain of Filling Station coffee shops to Messenger Coffee for a stake in the business. Returning to school to become a nutritional therapist and health coach, she opened Unbakery and Juicery, her tiny clean-eats snack bar, coffee, and juice shop in East Brookside. Looking back, you can see how this café was the start of an idea that would eventually inspire Billie’s Groceries, her flagship spot, where she manifested all the things she wanted to do under one roof: a clean-food café, coffee shop, juice bar, bakery serving dairy- and gluten-free treats along with a market and culinary classroom housed inside the historic and visually stunning Luzier Building in Midtown Kansas City. Her stylish spaces give off serious L.A. vibes while serving delicious meals and treats that taste as good as they make you feel. Here you choose how you want to eat without the labels or dogma. Wellness never looked or tasted so good.

Chef Anna Sorge Owner of Housewife

New to Kansas City, but not the restaurant industry, Anna Sorge took a gamble when she opened Housewife, her pretty-as-a-picture brunch spot, in sleepy downtown Grandview, but based on the crowds that flock in for coffee, croissants, and soup, salad, and sandwiches, it is one that has paid off. At Housewife, you’ll find Sorge in the kitchen, whipping up a rotating mix of fan favorites, such as avocado toast, biscuits and gravy, chicken salad sandwiches, and turkey clubs, all executed to perfection and served with pride. The eye-popping selection of croissants, cookies, and bars are compliments of her co-conspirator, pastry chef and chef de cuisine, Zoey Ramberg, whom she met while they were working together at The Market at Meadowbrook. Open until 3 p.m., Sorge has a solid strategy for being closed in the evenings. That’s when she uses her space to host catered dinners and private events, a brilliant business model that gives her control over her own schedule and allows her to utilize her space and flex her culinary talent for meals beyond just brunch. JULY 2022

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House Party words by

Patricia O’Dell

photos by

Aaron Leimkuehler

JULY 2022 |

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INTERIOR DESIGNER DOUG WELLS REIMAGINES A CLASSIC LEAWOOD RANCH FOR HOMEOWNER GLORIA RUDD, CREATING AN OPEN-CONCEPT HOME THAT’S PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING BOTH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Above: In the living room, the custom faux shagreen-upholstered ottoman, designed by Wells, is bordered by a Jonathan Louis sectional from NFM Design Studio and two leather club chairs. Top right: A vintage ’50s lamp shares space with the bar atop an industrial-style cabinet. Bottom right: Saarinen executive dining chairs upholstered in wool suiting fabric surround a marble-topped table in the breakfast area. Brady Legler painting.

The kitchen is the hub of the house. Hexagonal picket tile is installed horizontally as a backsplash behind the Thermador appliances from Factory Direct Appliance. Chrome and palisander-wood bar stools pull up to the Caesarstone-topped island. Opposite top: In the dining room, the glass-topped table is surrounded by cut-velvet upholstered Hickory chairs. Roland Renaud oil-on-canvas Man Painting Race Car. Opposite bottom: Doug Wells and Gloria Rudd. Rudd is an orchid whisperer; the orchids seen throughout her home are her own.

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ortunately for Gloria Rudd, when she made the decision to purchase her new home in Old Leawood, her friend and designer, Doug Wells, was at the ready. The house sits on a quiet street with mature trees, and while it has wonderful light, it needed to be updated. Wells has a gift for seeing the opportunities in shifting existing space, and an easy sense of humor to make a homeowner believe they are having fun as the walls come down. He had done some small projects for Rudd before, but this was their first complete renovation. “Doug has this incredible brain that

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Dolly, Rudd’s adopted doggo, poses prettily on the Crate and Barrel sofa amongst the custom Kravet ikat pillows in the Florida room. Opposite top: Pink hydrangea and hosta fill a shady spot in the garden. Opposite bottom: Several seating areas in the garden are delineated by levels and purpose. The dining area is bordered by a massive Japanese maple, while a lower level firepit is surrounded by comfy seating.

can look at a space and see something else immediately, with different walls—or with no walls!” Rudd says. Wells says it comes naturally. “It’s fun for me because it’s like a puzzle, and I know the answer is in there.” One of their top priorities was reimagining the kitchen because she loves to cook and entertain. “We really needed the space,” Rudd says. “There were hallways and a wet bar, and if you opened the oven doors, your backside would touch the cabinet.” For a woman who loves to entertain—she of the mythical kegger at her house following the game that clinched the Kansas City Royals going to the World Series—the kitchen needed to make more sense. “I wanted people to be in the kitchen and congregate around the island, because that’s what people like to do,” Rudd says. “But I wanted to be able to see people in the living room at the same time.” Now the kitchen has a wide island and comfy bar stools for keeping the cook company. A chic bar nearby attracts guests, not only to

JULY 2022 |

quench their thirst, but also to admire the art that surrounds it. The room opens beyond that to a relaxed seating area that feels cozy and spacious at the same time. Stained wood beams provide a graphic outline of the vaulted ceiling. The dining room, overlooking the shady, landscaped front lawn, stands at the ready for guests. Chairs upholstered in cut velvet provide a luxurious balance to the glass table and graphic contemporary light fixture. A bright and relaxed Florida room, which is glass on three sides, is nestled in the trees on the back of the house, creating a feeling of being outside and protected at the same time. While the garden beyond appears full and mature, Rudd and Wells are already planning their next steps to make the space an extension of the house for outdoor entertaining. In addition to reimagining the public spaces, Wells and Rudd put their heads together for a major reconfiguration of the primary bed-

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Above: In the primary closet, a brass and blue-velvet channel-tufted bench is topped by a crystal chandelier that was Rudd’s first purchase when she married and had previously hung in the dining rooms of all her previous homes.Top left: A gray lacquered double vanity topped with Carrara marble dominates the art-filled primary bath. Bottom left: Soft, golden hex-patterned wallcovering in the powder room. Opposite: The dark gray velvet-upholstered custom bed in the primary bedroom is dressed in linens from Terrasi Home and Scandia Down. Uttermost lamps flanking the bed are from Madden-McFarland.

room and bath. Taking advantage of a tight guest bedroom, the pair decided to annex that space to create a more gracious primary bath and closet. “I wanted a nice bedroom, but mostly a bigger closet and really pretty bathroom,” Rudd says. Wells made her dreams come true. To say the closet is “bigger,” is an understatement. With dark wood fittings and a crystal chandelier, the room is spacious and elegant as well as functional. The bathroom, with its dove-gray cabinets and marble countertops is a chic and soothing spot to begin and end the day. While Wells and Rudd had carefully met her needs for day-to-day living, the conundrum of additional bedroom space remained. “We are a

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house party continued

ADDING DYNAMIC LEADERS TO HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS Welcome Heartland MLS President

ALEX GOERING, our new Managing Broker for ReeceNichols Overland Park!

Contact Alex at 913.638.4662 or [email protected]

Select Fridays June – September

Summer Concerts on the Lawn 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

$5 per adult Free for children 12 y/o and under (must have adult present) Picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs welcome. Dog and cat friendly. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit

kansascitymuseum.org

JULY 2022 |

close family,” she says. “I have one child in town and the other not. When we all get together, if we couldn’t all stay together it would hurt my heart. I can’t do it.” Wells was committed to making the home that Rudd both wanted and needed. To accommodate her out-of-town family, he created a comfortable living space in the basement. Former window wells were constructed to provide proper egress. A new kitchenette allows everyone to have coffee or a snack if they need it, and a game table accommodates a lively crowd. Her collection of her son, Paul’s, movie posters fills the wall. Having all her children at home are the times that she enjoys the most. “We never have a proper time frame, it’s disorganized and sometimes messy,” Rudd says. “But there’s lots of food and fun. There’s something about everyone here under my roof that’s just right.” 84 | INKANSASCITY.COM

ONE-OF-A-KIND LUXURY FOR YOUR ONE-OF-A-KIND LIFE.

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One wall of the lower level showcases posters and memorabilia from Rudd’s son, Paul’s, performances.

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JULY 2022 |

85KS184_KCMag_WI_3.6x4.7_0422.indd | INKANSASCITY.COM

4/25/22 1:16 PM

DESARAE Harrah Chief Execu+ve A.orney & Managing Partner

We celebrate Desarae Harrah, Chief Execu+ve A.orney & Managing Partner of Harrah Law, and a woman who means business. Desarae and her experienced team of lawyers cut to the chase by helping their clients navigate the complexi+es of Li+ga+on, Real Estate and Construc+on Law. Desarae is one of the top 50 a.orneys in Missouri and Kansas from Super Lawyers, and a 2022 Small Business Superstar by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Cut to the Chase.

Li#ga#on, Real Estate and Construc#on Law harrahlaw.com

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CELEBRATING LOCAL

WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Here’s to the Lady Bosses Who Elevate Our City

Women Owned IN Kansas City

INKANSASCITY.COM

Supporting Women Who Mean Business Trendsetting. Innovating. Breaking the glass ceiling. As a majority women-owned and women-run business, IN Kansas City takes pride in recognizing the dedication of Kansas City’s women in business. For the last two decades, women-owned businesses have been the fastest growing segment in the U.S. economy, and every day, across the country, over 1,800

women start a new business. The July issue is all about local innovators and influencers, so we wanted to highlight Kansas City women business owners in this special section. After all, support for women-owned businesses fosters female empowerment, gender parity, local economic growth, and vibrant Kansas City communities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION FARMS ............................................................... 89

VAHI................................................................................... 97

KARIN ROSS DESIGNS..................................................... 90

BROWN & LOE.................................................................. 97

GEORGOUS AESTHETIC BAR........................................... 91

TROUVAILLE CREATIVE..................................................... 98

WARDELL & HOLMES REAL ESTATE................................ 92

ELEVATE ESTHETICS PARLOR............................................ 98

EMILY HART BRIDAL.......................................................... 93

BILLIE’S GROCERY............................................................ 99

VERY WELL KC................................................................... 93

TGS TECHNOLOGY.......................................................... 99

GATHER HOME + ESTATE................................................. 94

FINEFOLK......................................................................... 100

STUDIO SMILE ORTHOCONTICS.................................... 94

JORJY................................................................................ 100

INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS OF DESIGN.................... 95

MALFER & ASSOCIATES................................................. 101

WEINBERGER FINE ART................................................... 95

STAFFING KANSAS CITY............................................... 101

ECCO SELECT.................................................................... 96

PEAR TREE DESIGN & ANTIQUES.................................. 102

SESSION, A HOLLIE HASKINS SALON.......................... 96

NOVELLA BRANDHOUSE............................................... 102

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

BLUE KOI

ENJOY PURE FOOD

+ DRINK

EYE STYLE OPTICS

FUSION FITNESS

PÁROS ESTIATORIO

GALLERY V FINE ARTS

MISSION SKIN

NEW YOU HEALTH STUDIO

RYE

VANBROCK

XIPHIUM SALON

MISSION FARMS’ WOMENOWNED BUSINESSES

The Women of Mission Farms These fierce females make it happen in their shops, restaurants, salons, studios, and galleries. Did you know that over half of the businesses at Mission Farms are owned or co-owned by women? Let’s celebrate and support these women-owned businesses. There’s no place like Mission Farms anywhere in Johnson County—a vibrant destination blending the best life has to offer in an area steeped in history and tradition. Conveniently nestled in the heart of Leawood at Indian Creek Parkway (106th Street) and Mission Road.

Blue Koi Owner: Jane Chang bluekoi.net • 913.383.3330 Enjoy Pure Food+Drink Owner: Staci Cross enjoypurefood.com • 913.544.1515 Eye Style Optics Owner: Lisa McDermott eyestyleoptics.com • 913.313.1207 Fusion Fitness Owner: Darby Brender fusionfitness.com • 913.800.1874 Gallery V Fine Arts Owner: Valerie Phillips galleryvfinearts.com • 913.341.3483 Mission Skin Owner: Jan Miller missionskinkc.com • 913.730.8050 New You Health Studio Owner: Dr. Shelley Alexander newyoukc.com • 913.213.6900 Páros Estiatorio Owner: Kozeta Kreka parosleawood.com • 913.544.1262 Rye Owner: Megan Garrelts ryekc.com • 913.642.5800 VanBrock Owner: Bonne Illig vanbrockjewels.com • 913.341.7273 Xiphium Salon Owner: Vilma Subel xiphium.com • 913.696.1616

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

KARIN ROSS DESIGNS

Your Complete Design + Build Solution Karin Ross has over 25 years in the field experience when it comes to kitchen and bathroom remodeling and new build projects. Karin’s European background influences her style and passion for clean and elegant looks. She is famous for creating stunning transitional and authentic European styles. When walking into a new kitchen or bathroom created by Karin Ross Designs, your eye will be pleasantly surprised at the harmony achieved between all the elements involved in the project. From paint color to the very last detail, Karin goes above and beyond to make sure she captured the client’s desires and needs into the newly created space. “Our designs are elegant but functional” says Ross as the company transforms one kitchen or bathroom at a time. “We listen to our client whether their per-

sonal style is traditional, classic, contemporary, or transitional, and we make it our passion to take their ideas and make them into a beautiful and inspiring environment for their homes. We travel extensively to find sources for new products and to continually connect with the best-of-the-best vendors, artisans, and craftspeople. We offer the customer great values on every design element from fine cabinetry to floor covering and the best designs in lighting.” Services include an in-house designer and a project manager who work together and just happen to be the dynamic duo of husband and wife. Together they ensure every detail reflects your personal style and they create your dream kitchen or bath. Your satisfaction is their goal.

Owner: Karin Ross In Business Since: 2006 karinrossdesigns.com• 816.425.2815 1260 Northwest Sloan, Lee’s Summit, MO

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

GEORGOUS AESTHETIC BAR

The Best Procedures Are Undetectable Georgous Aesthetic Bar opened in October of 2019. Georgia Cirese, founder and owner, has 20+ years of experience in the medical aesthetics industry. Georgia is a Registered Nurse (RN), Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS), and a National Aesthetic Trainer. She also speaks and presents at aesthetic conferences and meetings. Georgia teamed up with her daughter, Mary Katelyn Cirese, to open a clinic that focuses on quality patient experience, safety, and enhancing natural beauty.

The best procedures are the ones that are undetectable, which is why we believe in elevating your natural beauty with treatments such as wrinkle-relaxers, cosmetic fillers, thread lifts, laser treatments, chemical peels, facials, CoolSculpting, medical grade skincare, and much more! It can be overwhelming especially if you’re not sure where to start, but don’t worry. We are here to help guide you step-by-step. Our providers are licensed and trained to provide safe and effective treatments.

Owner: Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS In Business Since: 2019 georgouskc.com • 816.946.8484 4505 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

WARDELL & HOLMES REAL ESTATE

Buy and Sell with Wardell If there’s one phrase that sums up Andrea Buettner Wardell’s real estate philosophy, it’s this: “Every client is an investor.” Whether she’s working with a hedge fund or a first-time home buyer, Buettner Wardell places facts over feelings to provide her clients with the best possible return. Doing so has skyrocketed her to the top of Kansas City’s real estate industry. Andrea has been selling real estate for over 14 years and in 2018 established Wardell & Holmes Real Estate with her right-hand woman, Katie Christianson, by her side. Since that time the firm has sold fifty million plus each year and has a fabulous team of 17 women and 6 men. Andrea herself sells an average of 150 homes each year. Andrea has been recognized in the top 1% of realtors consis-

tently in the Kansas City market. She has been awarded the Best of Zillow, Real Producers Award, Best of Kansas City Award, Five Star Real Estate Professional Award, Top Agent Magazine 2017-2022, to name a few. Andrea is also an active investor in the KC market, and believes in what she does. Andrea believes in giving back to the community and has actively worked with the numerous charities and organizations in the KC area. She also believes in mentorship and always roots for the underdog. Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you put in the work you can go anywhere. Working in all aspects of the real estate industry, Andrea Buettner Wardell has the experience to get it done.

Owner: Andrea Buettner Wardell In Business Since: 2018 wardellholmes.com •816.806.9492 2526 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

EMILY HART BRIDAL

Every Bride. Every Body. The excitement of a proposal usually leads to a laundry list of wedding planning to-dos. Brides will find “say yes to the dress” at the top of that list! For KC brides, one shop in particular will be top of mind. Meet Emily Hart—a beloved and trusted name in the KC bridal community for nearly two decades. Emily Hart offers brides an unparalleled shopping experience, with an expansive inventory of designer wedding gowns. But the foundation of this business is built on more than beautiful dresses. Emily is deeply committed to inclusivity, making Emily Hart a welcoming space for all to shop and enjoy. For Emily Hart, the boutique was just the beginning. In 2010, she began designing her own line of gowns and became Kansas City’s first local bridal designer. Emily Hart Collection is now available to retailers and brides across the US, but KC brides will always get the first look at her latest designs right here in Overland Park at her flagship boutique.

Owner: Emily Hart In Business Since: 2007 emilyhartbridal.com •913.681.1500

12450 Blue Valley Parkway, Overland Park, KS• Tues. 12pm–5pm •Wed.–Thurs. 11am–4pm •Fri. 11am–5pm •Sat. 10am–5pm

VERY WELL KC

A Healing Arts Collective When Emily Hart and Stephanie Simon met, they immediately bonded over their love for all things health and wellness. Together, they envisioned a place where holistic practitioners and patrons could gather and have their needs met within a supportive community. From that dream, Very Well KC, a healing arts collective, was born. As Overland Park’s premier wellness center, VWKC offers a full menu of services, including yoga and meditation classes, physical therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture, energy healing, esthetician services and sonic massage, sound baths, counseling and hypnotherapy, hydration services, vitamin injections, and even an infrared sauna! As a member of the VWKC community, your health of the mind, body, and spirit are always the focus. Interested, but don’t know where to begin? Try a session in our Infrared Sauna! You will be amazed at the healing benefits.

Owner: Emily Hart and Stephanie Simon In Business Since: 2020 verywellkc.com •913.359.5300 7905 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS Mon.–Fri. 9am–6pm • Sat. 9am–4:30pm

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

GATHER HOME + ESTATE

Virtual Estate Sales As life happens—such as downsizing from a family home to a condo or redesigning a space to match current design trends—our online estate sale service can help find new homes for those special, quality pieces that may no longer fit with your lifestyle. Unlike old school estate sales that sell everything but the kitchen sink, we host thoughtfully curated, turn-key virtual estate sales that offer a unique selection of furniture and décor. Best of all, we make the process simple, seamless, and stress free. Gather was founded in 2020 by friends and neighbors Sarah Filipovits and Megan Allen. Together, the two have grown Gather into a destination for design and home decor enthusiasts.

Owners: Megan Allen & Sarah Filipovits In Business Since: 2020 gatherkc.com 913.742.0146

STUDIO SMILE ORTHODONTICS

Get Your Smile! Dr. Kelly Tabacchi is an Orthodontic Specialist with 20 years of experience and expertise in clear aligners, such as Invisalign, and an Airway Focused Orthodontist working with health professionals to treat orthodontic issues contributing to a minimized airway and sleepdisordered breathing. Orthodontic treatment enhances smiles, benefits bite function and health of the teeth, gums, and total body. At studioSMILE Orthodontics, she uses modern technology for patient comfort, treatment planning, online scheduling, and virtual appointments. For children, she advises proactive orthodontic treatment to address issues with growth and development of the teeth, jaws, and factors contributing to the airway and breathing intake. For older teens and adults, she recommends treatment to maximize smile and health with the option of an enhanced consult for orthodontic factors related to airway, breathing, and sleep issues. Dr. Kelly is passionate about orthodontics and the smiles that create a thriving life!

Owner: Dr. Kelly Tabacchi In Business Since: 2005 studiosmileorthodontics.com • 913.953.6767 7001 W. 121st Street, Overland Park, KS

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS OF DESIGN

Design, Creativity, and Absolute Quality International Materials of Design provides unique tile and stone choices for discerning builders, designers and homeowners. Its foundation rests on consistent quality—quality product, quality design, quality service. Co-owners Amy Sanders and Cindy Cleveland consistently maintain the unparalleled quality and service standards laid by the founders more than 30 years ago. Those who seek international flavor, simple elegance, dramatic flare, period motif, and more, make International Materials of Design their first choice. Clients are welcome to visit our showroom to handle and experience these treasures brought in from all over the world.

Owners: Amy Sanders & Cindy Cleveland In Business Since: 1976 imdtile.com 4691 Indian Creek Parkway, KS•913.383.3383 Monday – Thursday 9 am to 5 pm•Friday 9 am to 4 pm

WEINBERGER FINE ART

The Critical Link Between Artists and Patrons Kim Weinberger is the founder of Weinberger Fine Art. She brings over twenty years of art collecting experience and prides herself in being that critical link between artists and patrons. Weinberger Fine Art is located in the heart of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. Kim loves to talk about artists and their work and to point collectors old and new to the artworks that will speak to them. Great clients deserve great art. Designing an art collection, personal or corporate, is an important process that requires careful thought, planning, and execution. WFA specializes in matching clients with beautiful, exciting, contemporary artwork by offering a wide range of services for collectors and first-time buyers—from on-site curation and consultation to digital installation previews. With an abundance of regional and nationally acclaimed artists we’re sure to find the perfect piece for you. Scan the QR code to visit the website. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter.

Owner: Kim Weinberger In Business Since: 2010 weinbergerfineart.com • 816.301.4428 114 Southwest Boulevard • Tues.–Fri. 10 am–6 pm •Sat. 12–5 pm Kim acrylic on canvas, 40X40 inches by Dean Kube

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

ECCO SELECT

Standards of Excellence While striving for excellence in every aspect of our business operations may not be the easy way, it’s the only way we do things. ECCO Select is proud to be a woman and minority-owned business, providing people, process, and technology solutions of the utmost quality to meet our clients’ needs. Founded by Jeanette Hernandez Prenger in 1995, ECCO Select was born out of her passion for technology and connecting people. In the 26 years since, this powerful pairing has yielded results that have established ECCO Select as a premier provider of top-tier IT professionals and technical consulting for federal and commercial clients nationwide. Our custom-fit solutions and white-glove customer service make us the perfect partner to help your organization scale to the next level. Through our expert advisory consultants and talent acquisition team, we are the talent behind the technology.

Owner: Jeanette Hernandez Prenger In Business Since: 1995 eccoselect.com 1601 Iron Street, Kansas City, MO•888.567.ECCO

SESSION, A HOLLIE HASKINS SALON

Look and Feel Like the Best Version of Yourself A lover of beauty and fashion fused with a passion for educating and growing young hairstylists, Hollie Haskins brings you Session Salon. A full service hair salon in the heart of the KC metro, offering a diverse menu of services including French balayage, hair extensions, curly haircuts, braids, dimensional hair color, and so much more! Hollie is on a mission to change and elevate the beauty industry offering her team continued education, 401K with match, health insurance, and paid vacation, while consistently coaching her team to achieve personal and professional goals. When you walk into Session Salon, you will be greeted with a smile, matched with an excellent stylist, listened to, and heard. Session Salon is a beautiful, vibrant space that invites you to come as you are and leave feeling like the person you’ve dreamt of being.

Owner: Hollie Haskins In Business Since: 2020 sessionkc.com • 913.222.2192 4709 Rainbow Boulevard, Westwood, KS Mon. 12pm–8pm • Tues.–Fri. 8am–8pm • Sat. 8am–4pm

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

VAHI

You Deserve to Spoil Yourself In a previous life, Renee was known across the globe as the “sassy chef” from Kansas City. She has taken those skills to have fun and nourish the body to a different platform. Self-care has always been a part of Renee’s life. Vahi lipid-based products nourish the skin creating the most sensual feel. Vahi products consist of coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, shea olein, jojoba oil, CBD, all-natural vanilla, and contain less than 3% THC. Formulated by a woman, for women.

Owner: Renee Kelly In Business Since: 2020 getyourvahi.com

Joyful. Sensual. Yummy.

BROWN & LOE

Eat. Drink. Socialize. Get Happy! As a business woman with over 25 years of restaurant experience, Kate McGlaughlin agrees this is an incredibly exciting time for her and other female business owners, and for Kansas City writ large as the area booms with new shops, restaurants, lofts, and the first ever soccer stadium built exclusively for female athletes! Housed in a 1920’s bank building, Brown and Loe has become a social hotspot and dining destination. Guests enjoy sitting on the patio for a refreshing gin and tonic (made with Hendricks Gin and FeverTree tonic, of course!) and a menu that offers smoked chicken and gnocchi, stuffed trout, and KC Strip. Brown and Loe also features a nearly 40 foot bar made of reclaimed wood—a perfect spot to grab a French 75 or ice cold Boulevard. Brown & Loe serves up superior hospitality with top-notch fare and extends a hearty welcome to all!

Owner: Kate McGlaughlin In Business Since: 2016 brownandloe.com •816.472.0622

429 Walnut, Kansas City, MO •Mon.–Thurs. 11am–9pm • Fri. 11am–10pm • Sat. 10am–10pm • Sun. 10am–3pm

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

TROUVAILLE CREATIVE

Marketing Solutions For Your Business A chance encounter with something wonderful. That’s what Sarah Connole found when she left her 9-5 job in 2018 with 6 months’ worth of living expenses in the bank and no plan for what was next. She soon figured out that the best way to fully utilize her capabilities and marketing experience was to do it herself, so this accidental entrepreneur founded Trouvaille Creative. Sarah relies on her 15 years of marketing experience to help the businesses she works with tell their stories and create stronger connections with current and future customers. While the word trouvaille means “a lucky discovery,” Sarah brings intentionality to everything she does for her clients, like helping them use social media more strategically, leveraging the best partnership opportunities, or providing overall strategy to help them reach their goals creatively and efficiently. Trouvaille Creative was recognized as a 2022 KC Chamber Small Business Superstar, and Sarah has been featured in VoyageKC magazine as one of Kansas City’s Hidden Gems.

Owner: Sarah Connole In Business Since: 2018 trouvaillecreative.com •816.945.8091

ELEVATE ESTHETICS PARLOR

Elevated Experience for You & Your Skin At Elevate Esthetics Parlor located in Kansas City’s historic Uptown Theater District, experience personalized, luxury skincare in a relaxing retreat-like environment. With a commitment to service excellence, award-winning owner and Licensed Esthetician Sara Rieman is a highly sought-after skincare expert, specializing in brow shaping, lash-lifting, body waxing, spray tanning and most especially—facials, including her signature Zen Meditation Treatment, The Firming Peptide Uplift Treatment, and Dermaplaning. One of the only Estheticians in the area to provide a one-hour, indepth skincare consultation, Sara genuinely provides a personalized plan with a results-driven product line and exceptional treatments to help her clients embrace healthy, glowing skin every day. Follow Sara on Instagram @elevate_esthetics_parlor as she daily reveals her innovative skincare tips, techniques, promos and proudly highlights KC’s local, small and women-owned businesses. Experience exceptional skincare with elevated results. Schedule your consultation today!

Owner: Sara Rieman In Business Since: 2018 elevateskinkc.com •816.945.2889 3619 Broadway Blvd #10, Kansas City, MO

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

BILLIE’S GROCERY

Organic Whole Eats and Treats Billie’s Grocery is a dietary and lifestyle friendly restaurant and bakery near Union Hill in Midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Designed by Unbakery Owner, former Filling Station Owner and Nutritional Therapist Practitioner Robin Krause, Billie’s Grocery brings mostly organic, nutrient-dense whole eats and treats to the community’s ever-growing health food scene. With California inspired dishes and Australian inspired cocktails and mocktails, Billie’s menu offerings are made to make you feel good. So, whether you’re grabbing a post-workout smoothie or a six-pack (of abs), coming for a little brew (haha) with friends, or enjoying a happy hour outing with your (gluten-free) love, Billie’s has something for everyone.

Owner: Robin Krause In Business Since: 2020 billiesgrocery.com •816.683.4400 3216 Gillham Plaza, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO

TGS TECHNOLOGY

Where Purpose Meets Possibility Technology Group Solutions (TGS) is a certified woman and minority-owned IT Consultant and value-added reseller that provides a broad portfolio of quality IT services and solutions for today’s business environment. TGS specializes in a full spectrum of IT infrastructure—hardware, software, security, cloud services, networking, storage, low voltage infrastructure cabling, lifecycle management, managed services, and more. TGS employs an experienced and certified staff that provide an all-encompassing custom solution that best fits the client’s needs. As a trusted advisor, TGS will assess the business objectives, critical success factors, and key metrics in advance of project execution, and assist the customer through to adoption and optimization. Technology Group Solutions mission is to enable their customers to thrive in the connected world, grow their value, and meet their business objectives through technology solutions and services. TGS commits to empowering their customers, people, and community to reach their highest potential.

Owner: Lenora Payne, CEO In Business Since: 2005 tgs-mtc.com •913.451.9900 8551 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

FINEFOLK

Thoughtfully Edited As a lover of fashion and design from an early age, it was truly a dream come true to open Finefolk in my hometown of Kansas City in 2013. While the shop has changed locations a few times through the years, what I offer my discerning clientele has remained a constant: a carefully articulated selection of modern yet timeless ready to wear collections dreamed up by beautifully talented independent designers from around the world. What defines the Finefolk woman also defines the shop and it’s offerings: elegant yet innovative, sophisticated yet understated, independent and feminine, a modern yet classic sensibility. Our designers and artists are experts at their craft and thoughtful about their production, much like our ethos. We invite you to let us dress you, style you, and provide full-service alterations as well as home closet concierge visits. Come see us at our new West Plaza location on State Line.

Owner: Leslie Fraley In Business Since: 2013 finefolk.com •816.283.8144 4502 State Line Rd, Kansas City, KS Tues.–Sat. 12pm–6pm

JORJY

Style and Grace Since 1994, Pam DiCapo has been a female business owner when she opened baby boutique extraordinaire, Lauren Alexandra, named after her two daughters. Pam loves bringing quality products and beautiful interiors to Kansas City. She has since opened Jorjy, which was named after her late beloved dog. Jorjy brings unique, one-of-a-kind home furnishings, gifts, and inspiration. The shop exudes a vibe brimming with creativity, originality, and happiness. Located at 320 West 63rd Street in the Brookside area, Jorjy is a lifestyle shop that offers a fresh take on wallpaper, fabric, art, and accessories for the home as well as interior design and tothe-trade partnerships. Jorjy is next door to Lauren Alexandra, and a shopper can cross from one retail environment to the other while inside either store.

Owner: Pam DiCapo In Business Since: 2020 shopjorjy.com •816.561.2272 320 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO Mon.–Sat. 10am–5:30pm •Sun. 11am–3pm

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

MALFER & ASSOCIATES

Your Path Home Begins Here

PHOTO BY TIFFANY MATSON

Founded by Kristin Malfer in 2008, Malfer & Associates, Compass Realty Group, has been a market leader in real estate for more than a decade. The team has over 350 years of combined real estate experience, and serves home buyers and sellers at all price points. Kristin has built a team of real estate professionals who delivers exceptional customer service including 24 hand-picked agents and six full-time staff members. With a white glove concierge experience, the team provides clients with the utmost professional benefits including home staging, professional photography and videography, among many others. In 2021, Kristin became a Founding Partner of Compass Realty Group Kansas City, giving the team access to a network of over 25,000 Compass agents who represent the top Realtors in the industry. The team is now able to gain national reach by increasing the marketing for each listing and finding homes for clients nationwide.

Owner: Kristin Malfer In Business Since: 2008 malferkc.com•913.800.1812 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 200, Leawood, KS #3 Top Producing Real Estate Team in KC, ranked by the Kansas City Business Journal

STAFFING KANSAS CITY

Personnel Services with a Personal Touch! Staffing Kansas City is your employment partner solving companies’ hiring challenges since 1998. Our dynamic team has, collectively, over 90 years’ recruiting experience, placing Top Talent with 800+ companies. Staffing Kansas City is independently owned and WBE Certified. With hands-on owners and powerhouse recruiters, clients trust their office hiring needs are in the hands of experts. Shout out to the women at Staffing Kansas City: Marie Phelan, Associate VP of Recruiting; Alex Gearin, Recruiter; Shelley Seibolt, President; Michelle Lee, Recruiter; Ashley Gardner, Recruiter; Roses Ammon, Vice President.

Owners: Shelley Seibolt and Roses Ammon In Business Since: 1998 staffingkc.com •913.663.5627 9930 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS

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Women Owned IN Kansas City

PEAR TREE DESIGN & ANTIQUES

A Taste of Europe Cindy Barnhill, owner of Pear Tree Design & Antiques located in the Crestwood Shops, has a passion for not only antiques but gardening and design as well. Utilizing antiques in her home and garden projects, and assisting clients in her shop choose that item that ties everything together is what she loves to do. She discovered her love for the business when she begain working there in 2012 and purchased the shop five years ago. The shop is brimming with treasures, both antique and new, that Cindy discovers on her frequent buying trips to Europe. From Les Puces, Paris’s largest and most iconic antiques market to the smallest French village brocante, she unearths pieces that find their way into Kansas City’s homes and gardens. Pear Tree is the destination for that touch of European charm that will be the pièce de résistance in your home.

Owner: Cindy Barnhill In Business Since: 2002 peartreedesignantiques.com •816.333.2100 303 East 55th Street, Kansas City, MO Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

NOVELLA BRANDHOUSE

Your Brand Drives Everything Elizabeth McFadden is CEO of Novella Brandhouse, a branding focused, full-service ad agency specializing in creative strategy for scaling or established businesses. As a WBE-certified firm, Novella works with clients such as the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department, the City of Cedar Rapids, in addition to beloved brands such as Brookside and The Big Biscuit, plus locally owned businesses like Flying Cow Gelato and Flutterhabit. Over a decade ago, Elizabeth developed a process to help organizations of all sizes find their voice in a crowded market. Taking the brand strategy model used by Fortune 500 companies, she designed a method for smaller companies to develop their brand. To give back to the KC community, Elizabeth and the Novella team work pro bono with nonprofits that are for, or benefit, minorities and women since these organizations tend to be the least funded and have a tremendous need for professional branding and marketing.

Owner: Elizabeth Cooper McFadden In Business Since: 2013 novellabrandhouse.com •816.226.6958 1627 Main Street, Suite 301, Kansas City, MO

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In the Kitchen COOKING WITH LEAVES BY

Cody Hogan

PHOTOS BY

think it was the romance of grilling foods wrapped in leaves that first attracted my attention. Imagine a lightly charred and smoking bundle exuding enticing aromas with a delicious edible surprise tucked inside. Fig leaves, banana leaves, grape leaves, escarole—as a young cook they all seemed so exotic. But when you think about it, leaves as a container for cooking long predates metal pots and pans and even crockery. They are cheap (even free if they grow in your backyard), practical, and cleanup is nonexistent—toss them in the cook fire, compost pile, or under the nearest bush. The first disposable plates! One of my favorite leaves to use when grilling is that of the fig tree. Like other fruit woods and their leaves, when heated, their aromatics really bloom (think applewood-smoked bacon). Fig leaves give off a slightly sweet, almost coconut-y aroma, one that pairs elegantly with many foods. My first experience was with a fig leaf-wrapped lobster tail—I don't even remember what else was on the plate. But when I peeled back the dull, crisped leaves and the perfume wafted up to my nose, I was hooked! Since then, I have experienced salmon wrapped in fig leaves (a classic of California cuisine), a loin of veal tied up in fig leaves and rosemary sprigs, and various cheeses, all of which were delightful. The leaf used as a protective wrapping doesn’t really conJULY 2022 |

Aaron Leimkuehler

tribute flavor, just aroma, but they can also be used to infuse tea or ice cream, and the wood is lovely for smoking and the grill. In our climate, fig trees don’t normally produce fruit because the trees freeze back to the ground during most winters, although I do know of a few gardening extremists who go to great lengths to protect their plants in the winter by completely covering the trees in leaves and tarps. I let mine die back to the surface and just use the plants for leaf and stick production—and because they make a very handsome plant. They like a sunny, warm location, and also grow happily in a large pot that can be brought inside during the winter. Regardless of how you grow them, I hope you’ll make the fig tree a part of your summer grilling traditions, beguiling your guests with tantalizing flavors and perfumes of the exotic. Grilled Cheese wrapped in Fig Leaves For your first foray into grilling with fig leaves, a nice piece of cheese is a tasty and fail-proof choice. A block of feta 3x3 inches, a squatty cylinder of goat cheese, a little wheel of brie, a chunk of young and meltable cheddar—any of these will work. For the ﬁg leaves,* find the largest leaves you can. Rinse a few leaves and pat them dry. Lightly rub the cheese chunk with extra-virgin olive oil and sprin-

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In Your Pantry

LEAVES kle with black pepper and salt (if appropriate—many cheeses need no extra salt, so use your best judgment). The cheese may be wrapped up and cooked at this point, especially if this is your first time, and you want the full aroma of the leaves without any olfactory distractions. If you would like to add the some complexity to the flavor (and the cheese is on the uninteresting side, such as a bland brie) you can certainly add some fresh aromatics—dill, oregano, or thyme, or a sliver of garlic—to the surface of the cheese. Wrap the cheese snugly with the leaves. It may take only one leaf if the leaf is large or the cheese is small, or it may take several leaves overlapping to fully cover the cheese. Tie the bundle with kitchen twine and rub the whole thing with a bit more olive oil. When the time to cook is approaching, have ready some slices of good bread, plain or toasted, or maybe crackers. A natural accompaniment to cheese cooked in fig leaves would be some fresh ﬁgs, perhaps grilled, or a big dollop of ﬁg jam to serve alongside, and/or some honey. The grill should be at a medium heat (a hot oven or broiler could work as well). Place the bundle on the grill, and be sure to have your guests participate in the cooking so they experience the smells and sights, too. Four or five minutes grilling on each side should be enough to lightly char the leaves to release their scent and to heat/melt the cheese. Drier cheeses will take a bit longer than soft ones. Remove the bundle to a serving plate, and with dining companions gathered round, snip the strings and unwrap the cheese, allowing the delicious fragrance of fig leaf, olive oil, and warm cheese to be experienced by all. It is best served by candlelight or under a starry summer sky, shared, and with a nice glass of wine. The romance comes naturally. *Note that some people are sensitive to the white sap (also called latex) that comes from freshly cut fig leaves and roots. It contains furocoumarins and can cause phytophotodermatitis, so wear protective clothing or gloves and be sure to wash after handling if you see sap and don’t know if you are sensitive.

THE USE OF LEAVES as cooking vessels—not to mention their use as a plate or eating utensil—is commonplace across the globe. Before worldwide shipping, freezing, and temperature-controlled storage, the climate and growing conditions of an area dictated the type of leaf used and the foods that would be cooked in them. Let the adage “what grows together, goes together” be your guide when trying to decide which leaves to use.

Cabbage/Swiss Chard/Romaine/Escarole In temperate European climates, larger leaved edible plants are used for beloved dishes whose fillings vary from region to region, household to household, many containing various grains and ground meats. Those leaves with more assertive flavors (like cabbage and escarole) influence the taste of the filling. To make them easier to roll and use as a wrap, they are first blanched in boiling water, and the central sturdy stalks, spines, and “veins” are trimmed flat or cut out of the leaf entirely. A contemporary use of milder flavored tender greens (like lettuces) is that of a substitute for flatbreads for those wishing to reduce their intake of carbohydrates or gluten.

Grape Leaves Most common around the Mediterranean, Middle East, and in regions known for wine production, grape leaves are best known for dolmas (“something stuffed” but not limited to grape leaves). The leaves are first blanched in boiling water or steamed, the stem removed in older, tougher leaves, and are sometimes brined or pickled. The variety of fillings is absolutely limitless as they have been made for over a thousand years.You can collect your own leaves in the spring or early summer (later in the year they tend to get a little tough and can also be brittle) and freeze them, or buy the leaves already prepared and brined in many grocery stores, especially those with a Middle Eastern influence. Because of the tannins in the fresh leaves, putting one or two in the bottom of jars of pickles can help keep pickles crisp. A brief internet search for stuffing ideas will take you down a seemingly bottomless rabbit hole of inspiration.

Banana Leaves In tropical regions, the sturdy, glossy leaves of the banana tree give a subtle fruitiness to the foods they wrap. Though nontoxic, they are simply too fibrous to eat. Great for wrapping fish, tamales, bundles of rice with sweet or savory garnishes, or wrapping a whole pig for a celebratory feast. When buying banana leaves they may be found fresh or frozen, whole (up to 5 feet long) or precut into squares or circles, ready for use. Before using, whole leaves should have the tough, fibrous string on the edge of the leaf cut away but left in as long as possible—the ‘natural’ string is great to use for tying up banana leaf packages. To wrap smaller items, the leaves should be washed and lightly dried, then the leaves passed over a flame briefly to soften them so they become more pliant. When wrapping to use for steaming, it is suggested to use two leaves, wrapping twice, to help protect the filling, as the leaves can easily tear.

JULY 2022 |

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Flavor

IN KC BY

Kelsey Cipolla

In Your Cocktail CONDUCTOR CLUB

t’s been the Mad Hatter’s Wonderland tea party, Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and a grownup take on prom—but you can simply call Conductor Club Kansas City’s most creative pop-up bar. Housed on the third floor of Union Station, the concept comes from the team behind Hereford House Restaurant Group and Pier-

JULY 2022 |

pont's at Union Station. And like so many innovative businesses that have launched in the last two years, it was born out of Covid. The vice president of marketing and guest experience, Stephen Valenti, and his team were looking for alternative revenue streams as the restaurant industry struggled. They started offering spirit tastings in Pierpont’s Belvedere Room and had built up a following when

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CONDUCTOR CLUB

Clockwise from top left: The Prom King cocktail is made with Angels Envy bourbon. Chai-infused mezcal ﬂavors the Curiouser & Curiouser. The Cutie Pie cocktail, which even looks like a pie, is Plantation Rum based.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONDUCTOR CLUB

they were offered a separate Union Station space previously used as an office. “I think in 30 days, we went from a white office space to a fully functioning bar,” Valenti says. The concept evolved just as quickly: Conductor Club was initially envisioned as a speakeasy, but with the 2020 holidays approaching, they decided to start with a seasonal pop-up bar and discovered Kansas City had a thirst for immersive concepts that don’t overstay their welcome. A year-and-a-half later, Conductor Club just wrapped up its 11th theme, drawing inspiration from media, holidays, seasons, and more. Each experience runs for six to eight weeks and features a lavishly decorated space and completely fresh cocktail menu tied to the topic at hand. “It’s been fun how this thing has grown and grown each additional step,” says the company’s corporate beverage director, Scott Deigert. “Each pop-up, we pay attention to what details went well, what people really enjoyed, and we try to expand that and say how do we bring that idea or that representation of ideas to the next one?” Conductor Club’s Mad Tea Party stands out as one of Deigert’s favorite concepts so far. Hosted this spring, guests were invited to fall down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland-themed drinks like Off with Their Heads, a gin and Pimm’s-based cocktail presented in a skeleton glass by a server wearing a top hat adorned with blooms. Strings of flowers and giant mushroom cutouts transformed the space into a twisted garden party, complete with plenty of teapots, clocks, and larger-than-life playing cards. Marketing manager Maddie Salerno helps bring each theme to life through floor-to-ceiling décor as well as the intricate chalkboard menu, which has become something of a showpiece for Conductor Club. Meanwhile, Deigert starts building a menu by taking into account the spirits the drinks should feature and looking for a specific way into the concept. For instance, for the recent Forever Young prom pop-up, he and his team started with the idea of creating drinks named for the superlatives given out in high school yearbooks. (Naturally, the Cutest Couple, a spiked fruit punch, is designed to serve two.) “I have a saying when I’m making cocktails: When I start to giggle, it’s probably a good idea,” Deigert says. “The whole thing of the Conductor Club is to have fun. We started it on a whim to do something different.” Guests seem to be having fun, too. Reservations are released in two-to-three-week blocks and often sell out within minutes. Even on the first day of a new concept, patrons are asking staff for hints on what’s coming next—and we’re no better. Stay tuned for “Jurassic Park Tiki” later this summer, and follow Conductor Club on Instagram to be among the first to know what the crew is delivering next. pierponts.com/conductor-club

JULY 2022 |

A spectacular, contemporary venue with transformable reception spaces and a magnificent courtyard. 1900bldg.com (913) 730–1905

Modern-American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. Chef Duerr and team present elegant fare and carefully curated menus for a variety of special occasions. therestaurantat1900.com (913) 730–1900

1900 Building 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway Mission Woods, Kansas

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IN KC

Kelsey Cipolla

SLOW BAR

In Culinary News

ART GETS A JOLT of caffeine at The Slow Bar, a new coffee shop on the first floor of the Jones Gallery in the Crossroads (1717 Walnut Street). The concept comes from Josh Bella, who previously operated Independence Square’s Common House Coffee. As its name implies, the coffee and espresso are handcrafted with deliberation and care, and guests get to go along for the ride. A different roaster is featured every few months, with espresso beans sourced from neighbor Marcell Coffee and pastries from Blackhole Bakery. Slow Bar leans into a modern minimalist aesthetic with lots of white, light wood, and a bevy of houseplants, giving it a breezy feel ideal for those seeking respite from summer heat—especially with the café lìmon, Slow Bar’s organic lemonade and cold-brew beverage—in hand. commonhousekc.com

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LUDO'S SHUFFLEBOARD TURNS OUT, shuffleboard isn’t just for cruise ship decks.

In Culinary News

The game moves into the bar scene with Ludo’s, a fresh spot in Martini Corner 323 E 31st Street) from the team behind Made in KC. Guests of all ages are welcome until 7 p.m., when Ludo’s shifts to 21 and up and leans into its cocktail lounge vibes with a menu including cocktails such as the Tang-o, a frozen drink made with tequila, mango, and citrus; plus wines, and a rotating selection of beers. But of course, the main event is shuffleboard, with three lanes that can each accommodate two to ten people. Lanes can be booked in advance, but walk-ins are also welcome. Shuffleboard not your thing? Ludo’s features an impressive array of vintage arcade games as well as a playful, laid-back atmosphere—no gaming required. ludosshufﬂeboard.com

JULY 2022 |

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Kelsey Cipolla

CAFÉ AT 3218 AND ELIXIR

In Culinary News

THE KANSAS CITY MUSEUM is an unparalleled destination for local and regional history, especially after undergoing its recent $22 million renovation. But soon, there will be even more reason to visit—a new restaurant, Café at 3218, and Elixir, a retro-inspired soda fountain. Both are located in Corinthian Hall, with Elixir setting up shop in the basement and serving up traditional soda fountain drinks (phosphate, anyone?) as well as ice cream, food, and games. Meanwhile, guests can visit Café at 3218 on the first floor, where the focus is on seasonal ingredients and bringing people together, whether it’s over a meal, a recipe, or a cooking demonstration. Until the dining destinations open this summer, keep an eye out for upcoming ticketed culinary programs and experiences from the museum. kansascitymuseum.org

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Reservation for One EARL’S PREMIER by

Kelsey Cipolla

photos by

arl’s Premier feels like a restaurant that has existed forever, the cherished neighborhood spot where you’ve celebrated countless birthdays and anniversaries and routinely sit on the string-lit patio drinking frozen gin and tonics until the staff starts cleaning up to close. In reality, the latest concept from Todd Schulte only opened in May. A veteran of Kansas City’s culinary scene, Schulte and his business partJULY 2022 |

Aaron Leimkuehler

ner, Cory Dannehl, certainly know how to run a restaurant, and they smartly tapped another notable industry figure, Sarah Hogan, to serve as the director of hospitality and beverages. Their combined experience shows, and the East Brookside spot has an ease to it, from the menu design to the quality of the food and drinks to the level of service that feels effortless mere days after launching. Earl’s Premier is housed in a narrow building with the bar and

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kitchen on one side and seating on the other. Despite the close quarters, it doesn’t feel cramped, merely quaint, especially as you take in your surroundings. Model ships dot the space, along with other seaside-inspired flourishes: a wreath of seashells, the small masthead from a ship, and a collection of vintage-looking American flags arranged over the bar. Under Hogan’s leadership, the bar program stands out with an impressive assortment of wines, spirits, beers, and some superb signature cocktails featured on the menu. The aforementioned frozen gin and tonic should be the drink of the summer—made with J. Rieger Co. Midwestern Dry Gin and tonic, it’s light, lemony, and ice cold but not frozen solid. Meanwhile, the X’s and O’s combines agaves, Génépy, strawberry, and lime for a cocktail that checks every flavor box you could want in a summer refreshment with depth and creativity, and several nonalcoholic drinks ensure nobody feels left out of the fun. In landlocked KC, seafood is often treated as high-end and luxurious, but Earl’s embraces a relaxed, New England-style approach. Here, seafood is respected and celebrated, but it doesn’t feel exclusive; shorts, sandals and T-shirts aren’t out of place. Schulte keeps the dining menu small and seasonal, so expect a certain degree of variability. For instance, today’s crudo features buttery, rich slices of scallop with paper-thin cucumber and radish, a glug of high-quality olive oil and a gentle sprinkle of salt. It’s executed with precision, but it also is just plain good—it’s a joy to experience the medley of flavors and textures. Earl’s also serves up oysters on the half shell and a take on shrimp cocktail with avocado and salsa Mexicana. For a richer starter, the Ipswich clam dip is creamy with a hint of seafood flavor and crispy house-made potato chips for dipping. Other options include a fresh herb guacamole with blue crab, New England clam chowder with fried saltines, and several salads. The seafood adverse will be relieved to see a classic cheeseburger on the menu as well as the piri piri-spiced EP chicken, both served with superb French fries. The fried oysters are craggy, crispy nuggets of goodness that are delicious on their own but burst to life with a squeeze of lemon and a dab of tangy green-garlic dressing. Every dish is plated with finesse (though never pretension), but the Bangs Island mussels are particularly arresting, with a stack of offsetting slices of grilled bread perched on top of the bowl. The mussels take on much of the roasted tomato and garlic confit flavor from the broth, along with the mellow spice of the chorizo. Earl’s also serves up nightly specials well worth checking out including: tacos on Yoli tortillas on Tuesdays; Cioppino Fridays and Lobster fra diavolo with hand-cut pasta on Saturdays, plus a handful of desserts. Like everything else on the menu, the Atlantic Beach pie (in a jar) and the soft-serve ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles feel a little nostalgic for a different time and place, and yet still totally aligned with the restaurant’s location in the heart of Kansas City. Whether Earl’s Premier takes you back to seaside summers or simply satisfies your oyster craving, it’s a restaurant you’ll want to revisit again and again. earlspremier.com

JULY 2022 |

Dine often and dine well.

250

OF THE BEST KC RESTAURANTS

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Dining Guide

For the city’s most extensive restaurant guide, head to inkansascity.com/ eat-drink/dining-guide

Faces

IN KC

KCAI Art & Design Auction OVER 650 PEOPLE gathered on the Kansas City Art Institute campus on June 4 for a fabulous night of art, food, and fun at the biennial auction. Guests enjoyed DJ vibes, big-band sounds, costumed performers, creative fare, and artisanal cocktails. Hundreds of stunning artworks donated by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college were available in silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefited Kansas City Art Institute students by providing the opportunity to define their voice, hone their craft, and make an impact through art and design. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events. photos by mark mcdonald

JULY 2022

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West 18th Street Fashion Show THE THREAT OF RAIN didn’t dampen the spirits of the guests attending the 22nd annual fashion show. Themed Summer Colosseum, the event’s models threaded their way through the crowd in The Bauer building accompanied by music that rocked the house. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events.

photos by niah aldrich

JULY 2022

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Faces

IN KC

Town Center Plaza’s Sunset Music Fest TOWN CENTER PLAZA’S free summer

concert series—Sunset Music Fest, presented by AdventHealth—returned in June. On June 9 performers were the Celtic rock band The Elders, along with The Cowardly Lions. On June 16, performers were the Jimmy Buffett tribute band, A1A, along with Bryton Stoll, the landlocked sailor. And on June 23, Summer Breeze and The Zeros played soft rock hits from the 70s and 80s. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events. photos by brian rice

JULY 2022

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My Essentials

IN KC BY

Emily Park

JENNIFER JANESKO ARTIST. JEWELRY DESIGNER. ENTREPRENEUR

S PHOTO BY PAUL ANDREWS

top by the Crossroads Hotel or a local restaurant and there’s a good chance you’ll see the mark artist Jennifer Janesko has left on Kansas City through the art on display. The Kansas City native creates what she calls “abstract landscapes” using modern figurative and abstract art in her Kansas studio. You’ll find her Janesko brand sterling-silver jewelry (janeskojewelry.com) on the wrists, ears, necks and fingers of many a Kansas Citian (and beyond). “I have always said that Kansas City is one degree of separation,” Janesko says. “The connectivity here means that genuine love for local is strong. My business has greatly benefited from local support and enthusiasm. I am humbled by my engaged community, and I am in awe of the talent and innovation that exists in my hometown. I love being centrally located when traveling in the U.S., and I am stoked by the positive feedback from people visiting KC from coastal cities. Living in the Midwest means more space and bang for your buck—but never underestimate our talent, drive, and creativity.” janeskoﬁneart.com

Jennifer’s essentials... LOCAL SCENT:

TAKE IN THE ART:

NIGHT CAP:

I have been snapping up the Dunes collection candles at Golden & Pine. They are a local/ female-owned business that creates candles with clean ingredients like coconut wax. The fragrances always hit the mark for me, and the vessels are so sleek and modern—perfect for gifts.

Haw Contemporary is such a perfect backdrop for artists. The lighting is beautiful, and the stark walls and clean concrete floors let the art shine. Another favorite is Studios Inc.—I always walk away inspired. The studios are spacious and filled with natural light and there is a diverse mix of artists and mediums.

I always love the Gin Fizz when I go to Rye in the summer, and the revolving menu crafted by Berto Santoro at Farina is a home run all year long. My current favorite is the Frozen Gin and Tonic at Earl’s Premier—I —I plan on adding a burger to that next time on the patio there.

SELF-CARE SESH: I go to an amazing

massage therapist, Laura Monteiro, in Lee’s Summit. She does cupping, lymphatic, and deep tissue. She always assesses you before the massage so that she can customize your therapy based on your current needs. Her three-hour sessions are a workout and I know when it’s been too long.

BITE TO EAT:

Farina for pasta and shellfish, Waldo Thai for innovative homestyle dishes, Brookside Sushi when I am looking for clean and light, and Antler Room for seasonal creative courses, are all perfect for dinner.

JULY 2022

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A PERFECT DAY:

Well first, I am hanging with my favorite person— my mom. Our day probably starts with a medical facial at Monarch Plastic Surgery in Leawood, followed by a lengthy lunch at The Mixx, and Andy’s Frozen Custard on the way home for sure! It sounds really simple, but just getting out of the house can reenergize my creative brain.