NORTH NOVEMBER 2016 by NORTH Magazine

GIVING THANKS

AN ALL-PURPOSE HOLIDAY

CAPTURING TRUTH ARTIST WANDA GREENE

FALL FASHION

THE ADORN STYLE SHOW

THE AMERICAN ROYAL A FALL KANSAS CITY TRADITION

TRAVEL WITH NORTH

$5.00 | ilivenorth.com | NOVEMBER 2016

NORTH EVENTS Events and Happenings in the Northland

HARRY POTTER NIGHT FOR ADULTS

Nov. 12 | 5:30 PM | Midcontinental Library | Parkville Branch

a great way to start a day of holiday gift shopping and fun like you won’t find anywhere else!

PARKVILLE CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER

KRIS KRINGLE & K-9S

Nov. 18 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Parkville 24th annual holiday celebration is sure to create lasting memories for everyone in the family. Join us for live entertainment including Park Hill School District children’s choir, fun things to see and do, delicious dining and treats, plus our famous holiday fireworks.

MAYORS TREE LIGHTING: NORTH KANSAS CITY

Nov. 18 | 6-7:30pm | City Hall, North Kansas City Free. Come out to our Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting at City Hall. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to some great holiday jingles from our carolers. You can also take pictures with Santa!

ZONA ROSA NORTHERN LIGHTS CEREMONY

Nov. 19 | 6:00pm | Zona Rosa Zona Rosa will kick off the 2016 holiday season with a special lighting ceremony to spotlight the large crowns hung above the streets, as well as the featured 50 foot Christmas tree in Town Square. The community is invited to this FREE program including the official arrival of the holiday Fairy Princess & Santa Claus!

GET BOARD | BOARD GAMES

Nov. 22 | 6:30 PM | Midcontinental Library | Parkville Branch

HEART SAVER CPR

Nov. 30 | 5:30-9 p.m. North Kansas City Hospital | 1st floor Pavilion | 2790 Clay Edwards Drive For anyone who, as first responders, may need to perform CPR in the workplace setting. Also for anyone who needs a course completion card. This course covers adult and child CPR and AED training. $35/person/session | register online at nkch.org/Class.

ARTS AND CRAFTS BEER FESTIVAL 2016

Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. - Sunday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Screenland Theatres | North Kansas City, MO http://screenland.com/events/event/arts-crafts-fest-2015/

LIBERTY LIGHT SHOW

Dec. 3 | 1-2 p.m. | Waggin’ Trail Dog Park | NE 32nd and Swift $5/pooch at the gate. Pictures with Santa, treats, hot chocolate and more!

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM

Dec. 3 | 2-7 p.m. | Watkin’s Woolen Mill Historic Site Visit with costumed interpreters as you stroll along lantern-lit paths to the Watkins family home, where you will be greeted by the smell of hot cider and wassail, and the sound of Christmas carols. Enjoy free samples of traditional treats, flaming of the plum puddings, reading of the family letters and a visit with Father Christmas. Activities at the visitor center will include kids crafts and live traditional holiday music. This event is free of charge and the Watkins home is open for the duration of the event.

SANTA’S WONDERLAND: PENGUIN PARK

Dec. 3 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Penguin Park Experience the wonder of the season at Kansas City’s holiday tradition, Santa’s Wonderland! Gather friends and family and spend an evening celebrating the holidays with festive live music, entertainment by the Starlight STARS of Tomorrow, the Rockin’ Rob Show, light displays and, of course, a visit from Santa and his friends.

VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS

Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Shoal Creek Living History Museum Take a break from the present and experience a 19th century Christmas. Enjoy a walking tour through our holiday decorated homes and log cabins of the 1800s while re-enactors bring the village to life. Visit St. Nicholas in the Thornton Mansion in his resplendent green velvet robes, make your Christmas purchases at the Mercantile and post your St. Nicholas letter. Experience a Civil War encampment, warm up by the “potbellied” stove in the school, find peace in the serene setting of an 1884 Church, see how 1880s Swedish immigrants celebrated Santa Lucia Day and watch how lace was made in the Arnold Home. End your visit with a brief horse drawn sleigh ride through the countryside from noon to 4:00 pm. $5 per person (age 5 and under free)

Dec. 2-4 | Pleasant Valley Baptist Church | Liberty It’s a family-friendly show that will capture the hearts of many. Audiences will tune their radios to hear live performances of Christmas favorites like the Jingle Bell medley and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas Eve Sarajevo (Carol of the Bells). Guests can view the 15-minute show from the warmth of their vehicles on a firstcome, first-serve basis.

SKATE WITH SANTA

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Dec. 17 & 18 | 1-5pm | Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary $3/child Celebrate the holidays with a visit to the Elves’ Workshop! Children are invited to visit the Nature Center for face painting, treats, crafts, Santa and more! The Elves’ Holiday Store will be open for children only. Parents, please provide a list of gift recipients and shopping money. The Elves will help your child choose the perfect gift for friends or family members. Gifts are priced from less than $1.00 up to $10.00, and are wrapped and labeled compliments of the Elves. While the children are shopping, adults can browse in our gift shop, relax in the exhibit area, and snack on holiday treats.

Dec. 3 | 8-10:30am | Shoal Creek Golf Course Adults $15; Children 4 through 10 years of age are $7: and children 3 and under FREE. Pricing includes a hot breakfast buffet and a picture with Santa! Reservations are required.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: PARKVILLE

Dec. 3 | 8-11am | Parkville Admission is $6.00 per person/child. Bring the little ones to Historic Downtown Parkville for a special morning treat - breakfast, music, crafts, merriment, and some quality time with Santa Claus! What

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Dec. 17 | 2-4 p.m. | Line Creek Community Center 5940 N.W. Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO. FREE admission with every can of food donated! ($6 admission; $2 skate rental). Join the jolly big man for some fun and festivity on ice!

ELVES’ WORKSHOP

2 NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE

Send us your travel photos with NORTH mag!

A Kansas City Fall Tradition for 117 years.

The Septeber 17th show fused fashion, fun, and philanthropy.

Wanda Greene: “My art is about the beauty of truth.”

TRAVEL WITH NORTH

THE AMERICAN ROYAL

ADORN STYLE SHOW

CAPTURING TRUTH

GIVING THANKS Thanksgiving is really an all-purpose holiday.

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1 9 8 6 | H a rv e s t B a l l s o c i e t y | 2 0 1 6

A 3 0 - Ye a r L e g a c y o f E n d u r i n g P h i l a n t h r o p y

2016 Harvest Ball Saturday, November 19, 2016 Grand Ballroom at The Kansas City Convention Center 16th & Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 Cocktail Attire â&#x20AC;˘ Black-Tie Optional Music and entertainment provided by the Dave Stephens Band

Tickets and other details available at https://HarvestBallSociety.org/events/harvest-ball#tickets

2016 HarveSt Ball SPONSOrS Principal Underwriters

Major Underwriters

Dave and Jamie Cummings

Hughes Family Foundation Landers Visions Senior Star at Wexford Place Wexford Place Assisted Living & Memory Support by Senior Star

Irven E. & NeVada P. Linscomb Foundation/ a supporting organization of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation North Kansas City Hospital

VICTORY Underwriters Jan and Sam Carter Garney Construction Gill Family Investments Hallmark Cards J.B. Reynolds Foundation

Dr. Bruce and Jan Kauk Northland Community Foundation Smithfield Foods The DeBruce Foundation

4 NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE

11 I LIVE NORTH Meet the folks bringing heart to the heartland.

NORTH THE premier magazine for Kansas City’s Northland

DOGS Learn how owning a pet can improve your health.

Allen E. Dillingham President & Publisher Allen@KC.TODAY

IN EVERY ISSUE

NORTHLAND GIVING CIRCLE Improving Northland lives.

North Events News & Notes I Live North Philanthropy Community Health Lifestyle Media & Arts Pets Crossword Closing Thoughts

Paula Schumacher

1 6 11 14 17 28 36 40 46 47 48

Editorial Consultant 816.979.1111 Paula@KC.TODAY

Jane Quigley Travel Specialist 816.979.1111 Jane@KC.TODAY

Crissy Dastrup Creative Director 816.979.1111 Crissy@KC.TODAY

PET ADOPTIONS

SYNERGY SERVICES

Find someone new to love this holiday season.

Dedication of new Children’s Center.

Contributors Diana Chaloux-LaCerte Martha Zirschy Cathy Kline Mickie Schroeder Jeﬀrey Jans Elizabeth Reinhardt

Jim Kline Sarah Harding Laidlaw James H. O’Keefe, MD Kallie Schaefer Samantha Belcourt Kim Specker

NORTH Magazine is a publication of Dillingham Communications, Inc. distributed to residents and businesses throughout Clay and Platte counties in Kansas City’s Northland. COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Dillingham Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

NORTH Magazine is published monthly in Kansas City, Mo. (ISSN 2375-5199). Subscriptions for local residents are $30.00 a year. Printed monthly by RR Donnelly in Liberty, MO.

NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Communications, Inc., assume no liability for compensation or return of any submitted or unsolicited content in any form, including stories, photos, videos, digital images or artwork. All such materials become the sole property of Dillingham Communications, Inc., and may be used without limit in any discretionary manner. Articles are published for general information purposes only and are not an oﬀer or solicitation to sell or buy any securities or commodities. Investments should be analyzed on terms and risks as they relate to individual circumstances and objectives. Articles contained in the magazine do not constitute tax or legal advice. Readers should seek professional tax or legal advice before making tax or investment decisions. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NORTH Magazine or Dillingham Communications, Inc. Neither the magazine nor the company assumes responsibility for statements or claims made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in NORTH Magazine is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Communications, Inc., shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information nor interpretations, nor any liability for claimed copyright or trademark infringement. The Publisher reserves the right to edit any and all submissions before publication. All inquiries and requests should be emailed to info@KC.TODAY to the attention of NORTH Magazine. Reproduction or use of any contents in this publication, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the express, prior written permission of the publisher.

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6 NEWS & NOTES

KC’s Most Wanted Northlanders Micah and Diana LaCerte are honorees for this year’s “KC’s Most Wanted Auction,” a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. The LaCerte’s are Kansas City entrepreneurs and coowners of Hitch Fit Gym and Hitch Fit Online Personal Training. Representing BBBSKC for the Most Wanted auction has special meaning for the couple as Micah was a “Little” as a child, his “Big” was a businessman named Bill, who inspired him to dream big and encouraged him to work hard, work smart and work honest. Micah never forgot those lessons and implemented them while building Hitch Fit over the last 8 years. The LaCerte’s had the chance to pay it forward to a Kansas City youth by serving as a “Big Couple” for two years. The live auction event takes place on December 3, 2016 at the Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland. The LaCerte’s as well as 36 other local honorees are piecing together a wide variety of once in a lifetime packages to be auctioned oﬀ that evening. The LaCerte’s auction package will feature an action/adventure trip to Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont, Massachusetts. There is also an online silent auction consisting of an array of in-kind donations from businesses and individuals, and honorees each have fundraising pages for monetary contributions. Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on developing oneto- one, life-changing, mentoring friendship between an adult volunteer and a child facing adversity. “Bigs” encourage “Littles” to realize their full potential and see themselves as having happy and successful futures. All proceeds from this event stay in the Kansas City area. In-kind and monetary donations are tax deductible. For more information or to make a donation: LaCerte’s Fundraising Page: http://www.bbbskc.org/ mwhonorees2016/lacertes Tickets: https://e.gesture.com/events/5gE/ To make an in-kind donation please write to Diana. Chaloux@yahoo.com

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“I’m driven to explore all treatment options for patients fighting head and neck cancers.” Otolaryngologist Specialist in head and neck cancers K. Gaurav Prasad, MD Meritas Health ENT

Meritas Health Network Specialty Clinics Meritas Health Briarcliff (Gynecology) Meritas Health Cardiology Meritas Health Comprehensive Surgery Meritas Health Endocrinology Meritas Health ENT Meritas Health Neurology Meritas Health Neurosurgery Meritas Health Obstetrics & Gynecology Meritas Health Pavilion for Women (Obstetrics & Gynecology) Meritas Health Psychiatry Meritas Health Pulmonary Medicine Meritas Health Surgery & Trauma

Our specialist, your Northland neighborhood When you or your loved one needs a specialist, look no further than Meritas Health, the largest network of physician practices in the Northland. We offer more than 60 board-certified and trusted specialty care physicians – including otolaryngologist K. Gaurav Prasad, MD Experience the Meritas Health difference: • Advanced specialization • Collaborative physician relationships • Coordinated health records across our clinics • Diagnostic expertise • Backed by North Kansas City Hospital, the Northland’s first choice for more than 50 years Ask your primary care doctor to recommend a Meritas Health specialist or find one at MeritasHealth.com.

a subsidiary of North Kansas City Hospital

8 NEWS & NOTES

TRAVEL WITH NORTH!

JANE QUIGLEY WITH NORTH AT THE FAMOUS TOWER OF PISA.

Veteran magazine account representative Jane Quigley has been named coordinator of NORTH’s newly announced travel feature, “NORTH Goes Global.” The announcement by publisher Allen Dillingham praised Jane’s decades of service to the magazine and its predecessors. “Jane is assuming new duties in November that will allow her to focus on her fun travel experiences and also report on the travel adventures of our readers.” “Northlanders are a highly mobile group that enjoy visiting interesting and special places across our nation and around the world,” Quigley explained, “and my husband Bill and I are just a couple of people that like to discover new places on our own as well as ejoying the experiences of others. I’m excited to have this opportunity to share those stories with NORTH’s audiences.” Northland residents are encouraged to send photos and brief stories of their travels by email with Jane at jane@ iLiveNorth.com. “We think this new feature will be a lot of fun for everyone,” Quigley concluded, “and of course, we encourage people to take a copy of NORTH with them to help us spread the word across the globe that Kansas City’s Northland has a remarkable quality of life.” NORTH at the famous Tower of Pisa Our European adventure began with a lovely Viking Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. One of our fa-

vorite stops in our Italian adventure was a visit to the famous leaning Tower of Pisa. We boarded our excursion bus in Florence for a picturesque drive through the Tuscan countryside. As we approached the city of Pisa, we could see a glimpse of the Tower. My excitement continued to build as I realized that I was actually going to see a historic landmark that had only been something I’d seen in photos. We learned that the Tower is actually the bell tower of the Cathedral of Pisa. It was constructed in three stages over 199 years with work on the ground floor started in 1173. Height is 183.27 feet from the ground on the low side, 185.93 feet on the high side. The walls at the base are just over 8 feet wide and the weight is estimated at 16,000 tons. The Tower does lean! But it’s neither shaky nor dangerous and was as amazing as I had imagined. The tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure’s weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed. Prior to restoration work between 1990 and 2001, the tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but now leans at about 4 degrees. We took several photos; Bill snapped this one of me and the magazine. Companions on the excursion were friendly and we shared taking pictures and keeping track of each other. The climb to the top has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase. There was a line of people waiting to make the trek and we learned it is a good idea to order the tickets before you arrive. There is just one way up and down and the steps are wide and thick. During the climb, there is a place to catch your breath and a window to see the view. The Tower of Pisa was an amazing experience. At the top, the view of the countryside is magnificent and an experience we will always remember. To celebrate, I immediately texted our stateside family after we made the climb. Of course, we purchased our very own replica of the Tower when we returned to the ground. An added must-see feature was the Giovanni Piano Pulpit in the adjacent Cathedral. Pisa is now one more fascinating adventure oﬀ my bucket list! Please send me a photo and some comments about one of your memorable trips! Best wishes for safe and memorable travels! ---JQ: jane@kc.today

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We Make Health Care Easy 4

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITY

NEWS & NOTES

Quality care from doctors you trust.

With conveniences like same-day appointments, extended hours, virtual house calls, online scheduling, urgent care and seven Northland clinics, Mosaic Life Care makes it easy to access the health care your family needs. Mosaic Life Care was also the first health-care organization in Missouri to belong to the Mayo Clinic Care Network, connecting our doctors to Mayo Clinic expertise when you need it most. For an appointment, call 800.447.6820 or visit myMosaicLifeCare.org/easy.

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS | ONLINE SCHEDULING | VIRTUAL HOUSE CALLS EXTENDED HOURS | URGENT CARE | MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

10 NEWS & NOTES

WELCOME IWERX TO NKC

A grand opening celebration for iWerx is set for November 11 to honor Global Entrepreneurship Week. The reception will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. For more information and to request an invitation, contact the company at 816.588.9130 iWerx, at 1520 Clay in North Kansas City, is a new enterprise and entrepreneurial development center in the Northland.

Meritas Health Express Care Clinic Opens inside 64th Street Hy-Vee

NKC Business Council’s Big Event: Candy Cane Lane

The North Kansas City Business Council has set December 1 as the date for its annual Big Event at Black on Burlington. Theme for the 2-hour reception and auction is “Candy Cane Lane” in a Winter Wonderland. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The NKC Business Council is a non-profit civic organization and The Big Event is a very important fund-raiser for the group. Having a successful event is extremely important to the organization and the NKC businesses they serve. Many businesses have generously donated items to the auction in past years. Members with auction items to donate are asked to contact Jennifer Keller by Nov. 21st. This year’s Big Event will be a Candy Cane Lane at Black on Burlington on Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Northland residents have a new choice for nonemergency health care. Meritas Health, a subsidiary of North Kansas City Hospital, has opened its third Meritas Health Express walk-in care clinic inside Hy-Vee at 5330 NW 64th St. “There is a growing demand for accessible, convenient care,” said Linda Coventon, Meritas Health network executive. “Meritas Health Express helps bridge the gap between a primary care provider and the emergency room. It also gives patients the option to receive care after-hours or on weekends when primary care offices are traditionally closed.” The walk-in clinic is staﬀed by nurse practitioners with medical oversight provided by physicians with Meritas Health. Open seven days a week, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., the clinic will provide medical services to adults and children 18 months and older. Services include immunizations, physical exams, wellness screenings, and treatment for minor illnesses, injuries and skin conditions.

Northland Cities on Best Small Cities in America List

Gladstone and Liberty are on the “Best Small Cities in America” list, released this month by financial website WalletHub. The list was compiled and compared 1,268 cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. It used 30 metrics, including housing costs, quality of schools, safety and number of restaurants per capita. Unlike most national ranking lists, a higher number indicates a higher standing, with the 99th percentile being the top level achievable. Liberty achieved a 81st percentile ranking and Gladstone was recognized for achieving the 65th percentile. St. Joseph, our neighbor “a bit further north” was ranked in the 38th percentile.

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11 R I C H G RO V E S I LIVE NORTH

RICH GROVES

As Executive Director of the North Kansas City Business Council, native Northlander Richard “Rich” Groves spends most of his waking hours promoting and encouraging business development. One of his recent memorable events occurred outside the Northland. Rich accompanied his father, a WWII veteran, on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. It was also a celebration of his father’s 100th birthday. “Good genes run in the family,” Rich noted over coﬀee at First Watch on Armour, “so I hope to be around for a long time singing the praises of doing business in one of the most business-friendly cities in the entire Kansas City metro.”

Out with the wallet. In with convenience. ®

banklibertykc.com Member FDIC Android Pay is a trademark of Google Inc. The Android Robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Apple Pay, and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Samsung Pay logo is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. MasterCard® is a registered trademark or service mark of MasterCard Worldwide or its U.S. subsidiaries.

12 B R I T TA N Y S TO K E S I LIVE NORTH

BRITTANY STOKES

At first glance, her youthful appearance problem solving skills to work as a medical and demeanor could lead a customer to be- professional. lieve that Brittany Stokes was another of the clerk trainees hoping to break into a sales career in telecommunications. Not so. As many visitors to the Sprint store on Barry Road soon discover, this remarkable woman is the lead retail consultant in a fast-paced environment that requires deep technical knowledge with a heap of solving customer problems thrown in. She’s almost been a lifetime Northlander, moving here as a youngster with her father’s career move while in elementary school. “I really like the comfort of living in the Northland. It just feels like home and most of my high school friends are still in the area.” Brittany works full time for Sprint and is also a full time nursing student, hoping someday soon to put her management and

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13 M A RV I N DA N I E L S I LIVE NORTH

MARVIN DANIELS

NORTH found Marvin Daniels sitting quietly in the fireside room at Angel Nails on North Oak Trafficway, waiting for his spouse and partner Angie to finish her visit. The couple recently purchased a home in Staley Hills and made an explicit decision to become residents of the Northland. “We moved here for the schools,” Marvin explains. “The research on where to live when we came to Kansas City was done by one of our 3 sons, all of whom are college students, and we wanted a great area for our two high-school age daughters. They can walk to high school and I can make it easily to the airport when I need to travel.” Marvin is the Executive Director of the Hope Center in Kansas City, a posi-

tion he accepted about three years ago to continue his entire family’s eﬀorts that are focused on improving the lives of others. Prior positions have included leadership positions in New York, Chicago and Boston. Most recently he spent a decade at Kids Across America Camps in Branson, culminating as a vice president of leadership development. With two master’s degrees, one from the University of Massachusetts in education and school counseling and another from Nazarene Theological Seminary, Marvin is poised to help improve the lives of children in Kansas City. He and Angie also work together in the Mosaic Bible Fellowship, helping grow spiritual relationships in the community.

You’ll think you’re in Heaven at the remodeled Angel Nails & Spa

(NewzAdz) -- Angel Nails & Spa is an established Northland business that is celebrating its 10th year of providing excellent quality manicures, decorative nails, pedicures and other beauty services. The newly remodeled salon offers luxury experiences at affordable prices. A comfortable lounge with fireplace and private adult and kid pedicure rooms are designed to pamper and beautify guests. Located at 10209 N. Oak Trafficway, convenient hours of operation are Mon.-Fri 10-7:30, Sat.10-6 and Sunday 12:30-5:30. Angel and her trained staff welcome walk-ins and accept appointments at 816-734-1400.

14 S P OT L I G H T O N C H A R I T Y PHILANTHROPY

Northland Giving Circle provides an easy way to join with others to support local charities By Martha Zirschky

Northland residents whose busy lives do not allow them time for charity meetings and fund raisers, but who want to be involved in supporting community service agencies, should consider the perfect solution oﬀered by the Northland Giving Circle. Founded in 2009 by a group of philanthropic, community-minded citizens, the organization provides significant financial support to charities in Clay and Platte Counties. The group’s mission is to improve the lives of those in need by aggregating the contributions of its members to make larger donations. Laura and David Rainey, long time Giving Circle members and supporters recently held an open house at their new home to honor the group’s members. An annual celebration is held each spring to announce the current year’s grant recipient –yet to be selected--and recognize Northland Giving Circle members. Becoming a member of the Giving Circle is a simple process: make a donation. Giving Circle members each contribute $302.50 through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation to fund the group’s annual grant program. $300 goes directly into the NGC grant fund and $2.50 covers administrative costs. With contributions from 100 members, the Giving Circle is able to provide a $30,000 grant to a local nonprofit. Volunteer members of the organization’s selection committee choose finalists, usually three, from numerous applicants for the group’s annual grant. All Giving Circle members then vote online for the final charity selection, giving every contributor an opportunity to help decide where their money goes. “The Giving Circle is part of a national movement,” said Linda Ward, a founding member of the Northland Giving Circle. “Locally, Liberty has had a successful Giving Circle for many years. The key is financial leverage. It is a simple concept to take a small amount of money and turn it into a large impact grant. Giving Circle is one of my favorite charitable causes.” Another founding member of the Northland Giving Circle is Donna Sumpter. She believes most people may not realize how many people in the community need help, whether it is a warm place to stay, food, clothing, or a pillow where they can lay their head. “For eight years, we’ve been able to greatly impact agencies that provide these basic needs and much

more,” she said. “Since our founding, the Northland Giving Circle has contributed more than $200,000 to our community.” “Many Giving Circle members have been active supporters of several organizations that make small grants to many of the deserving charities in Platte and Clay Counties,”

RECEIVING THE 2015 NORTHLAND GIVING CIRCLE GRANT FOR FEED NORTHLAND KIDS WERE (LEFT TO RIGHT) MICHAEL ATCHISON, CHRIS DONNELLI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHRIS EVANS, MICHAEL SHORT, DONNA SUMPTER WITH NORTHLAND GIVING CIRCLE, BRIAN HALL, LOUISE WELBORN AND MARTIN SKINNER.

PLATTE SENIOR SERVICES, INC WAS THE 2016 RECIPIENT OF A $30,000 GRANT FROM THE NORTHLAND GIVING CIRCLE. BOARD MEMBERS ACCEPTING THE CHECK ARE (LEFT TO RIGHT) ROBERT BURNS, INTERN JILL KUJAWA, HARRIET MCGARVEY, MARY HAYWORTH, NANCY PATE, DON STOKES, RUSSELL JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEANNA ARMSTRONG, AND DIANNE FURBECK. PRESENTING THE GRANT (AT RIGHT) ARE JUDY SKINNER, LAURA RAINEY AND DONNA SUMPTER.

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Sumpter continued, “however, being able to combine our giving and present a much larger amount to a charity each year truly maximizes the impact that an organization can have on the people they serve.” Platte Senior Citizens is a recent recipient of a grant from the Northland Giving Circle. Executive director Deanna Armstrong explains how the financial support helps her charity achieve their goals. “The money we received helped THE NORTHLAND ASSISTANCE CENTER PRESENTED A PLAQUE TO THE NORTHLAND GIVus idenING CIRCLE TO RECOGNIZE ITS WORK IN THE tify seniors in COMMUNITY. need of meals and support. Statistically, we know that one in six seniors in our community goes to bed hungry at night. With the larger donation we will reach more than 1,000 newly-identified seniors with a hot meal.” Armstrong continued, “When we provide meals we support a senior citizen’s desire to age in place with dignity. An unknown number of seniors are isolated in their own homes, cut oﬀ from any kind of support group. Platte Senior Services works all year to change that situation.” In addition to Platte Senior Services, Inc., past recipients of the annual $30,000 gift have included Harvesters, Shepherd Center of the Northland, Northland Assistance Center, the Heartland Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Kansas City, and Feed Northland Kids. “Support from the Northland Giving Circle is critical to our mission at Feed Northland Kids,” said Chris Evans, executive director of the agency. “Feeding 2,500 Clay and Platte County children each school weekend is a daunting task. The funds from this wonderful group will ensure 120 children are given sufficient food, a basic need so many of us take for granted.” Although meals are supplied during the week at the children’s schools, Evans said that many have nothing to eat on weekends. “Taking home a backpack of food on Friday fills that important nutritional need.” Rita Pearce, executive director of the Northland Assistance Center, is grateful for the grant her organization received

in 2012. “A number of people give to us throughout the year, but a $30,000 gift is life-changing,” Pearce emphasized what an enormous impact the funding made in the lives of the people her agency helps. The Assistance Center helps struggling families by providing emergency funds for utility bills, rent, vouchers for medical care, provides a food pantry and other services. Although the Giving Circle is a means for people to participate in charitable causes without attending meetings or fundraising, opportunities exist for those who wish to become more involved. Volunteering for the application review committee is one opportunity. To join the Northland Giving Circle and become part of this important community within the community, or for more information, visit the web site at northlandgivingcircle.org. Martha Zirschky (a/k/a Marte Z.) is a 40-year resident of the Parkville area. A long-time member and fan of the Northland Giving Circle, she knows how much a large grant means to small nonprofits. She and her husband have two children and four grandchildren who provide travel destinations.

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16 HELPING CHILDREN PHILANTHROPY

The Harvest Ball Society Recognizes Past Presidents

More than 20 of the Harvest Ball Society presidents reveled in their collective past and the steps toward another 30 years at the new Synergy Children’s Center for a past presidents’ coﬀee. Founded in 1987 under the leadership of Patty Garney and Sandra Doolin Mellinger, the first year was a smaller event with only a ball, but the first year’s charity recipient was SafeHaven Shelter. The shelter cares for battered women and their children. Last year, more than 300 women and 225 children were aided by SafeHaven. “In a needs assessment, we learned one of the biggest needs was a battered women’s shelter,” Garney said. “Domestic violence wasn’t in the news like it is now.” SafeHaven falls under the umbrella of Synergy Services, which includes SafeHaven, Youth Resiliency Center and the newest separate Children’s Center. During many years, there were co-presidents and even one year, it was tri-presidents. The Harvest Ball Society has become the largest not-for-profit organization devoted to raising funds for charities serving causes primarily in the Northland. Proceeds from the Society’s events benefit programs and services that enrich, stabilize, and strengthen the lives of adults and children within the Northland community.

L to R, [front row] Mary Sallee; Jan Kauk; Sandra Doolin Mellinger; Patty Garney; Candy Sneed; Michelle Smith [second row] Annie Holwick; Nancy Dillingham; Jinny McCoy; Karen Dolt; Patsy Triplett; Eileen Van Tasell [third row] Linda Ward; Janet Bono, Judy Chastain, Judy Ferguson; Libby Blair; Jerri Landsberg

Synergy Services Opens Doors of New Children’s Center Agency Doubles Capacity for Abused and At-Risk Kids Doubling its capacity to serve the area’s most vulnerable children, Synergy Services recently opened the doors of a new Children’s Center located at 2501 NE 46th Street in Kansas City, Missouri. The new 10,000 square-foot facility which sits on six peaceful acres provides shelter and support services to children throughout the metro who have experienced abuse, neglect or serious family crisis. At least 16 children can be housed at the shelter at any given time, while also providing support services to additional families in crisis through the program center. “Helping families through crisis with the goal of keeping the family intact is our goal whenever possible,” said Synergy Executive Director, Robin Winner. “We want to keep children safe and healthy at home rather than have a situation escalate to where they have to be taken from their family.” On a daily basis, newborns, babies, toddlers and children enter Synergy’s children’s center with deliberate burns, gunshot wounds, broken bones, and failure to thrive. Children are often malnourished with serious illness or infections caused by poverty, abuse and neglect. At Synergy, children receive immediate and specialized care for physical and emotional wounds. Dental and vision exams, check-ups, immunizations as needed, advocacy services, mentoring, educational services and tutoring, psycho-educational groups and play therapies round out the care they receive during their stay. The new center opens amid growing awareness and concern for the long-term consequences of childhood trauma cited most notably in the comprehensive ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente. “We now better understand how trauma like child abuse and domestic violence lead to lifelong health problems and come with significant personal, social and economic costs for the individual and the community,” explains Winner. “Fortunately we have also learned more about the best ways to help children emerge resilient and able to overcome their early experiences.” Synergy board members Tom Isenberg and Greg Personelli led the fundraising charge to raise the $3 million necessary to build the campus. Blackbird Design Studio, which recently merged with Helix Architecture & Design, designed the campus and JE Dunn Construction built it. Learn more about Synergy’s work or get involved at www. synergyservices.org.

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17 A N N I V E R S A RY COMMUNITY

AFTER 65 YEARS

WESTFALL GMC IS

“STILL TRUCKING” AS A FAMILY-RUN COMPANY

(NewzAdz) -- For any business to be successful for 65 years, it has to adapt and change along the way. This concept especially rings true for Westfall GMC Truck, Inc., a family-owned truck dealership that has called Kansas City its home since 1951. Westfall began as a GMC truck dealer well before technology was involved in the business world. The company was built from the ground up by creating strong, lasting relationships with many local Kansas City companies. The approach has made Westfall one of the nation’s top GMC dealers. Westfall GMC is still owned and operated by the same two families—Westfall & O’Dell--that started the firm. In addition to GMC Trucks, the dealership also sells Isuzu and Freightliner medium duty trucks, Mack trucks, Volvo trucks and Kalmar Ottawa yard tractors. Westfall is well known for everything from pickup trucks to vans and SUV’s to its strength: providing trucks to local businesses.

There is a lot more competition today in the commercial truck industry than there was even a few decades ago. As Adam Barber, Commercial Sales Manager, explains, “We know you can’t take a cookie cutter approach to helping a business find a truck. That’s where our consultant-driven sales team excels because we work with customers to find the best transportation solution for them.” Westfall gained its solid 65-year reputation by building strong, long-lasting relationships. A focus on each local customer’s truck needs has been Westfall’s niche since the beginning. The sales team works daily with plumbers, electricians, landscapers, building contractors, glass installers, food & beverage delivery, engineering companies, refuse, rental companies and many, many more industries. Customers are as diverse as The Roasterie, Habitat for Humanity, Bob Hamilton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling and many others. Habitat for Humanity has been a loyal service customer for years. The group’s reliance on Westfall has grown well beyond service. Mark Bullock, Habitat’s acquisitions manager describes the organization’s confidence this way: “A couple of years ago, we were in need of a new truck, and the value of

our relationship with Westfall became apparent. Westfall really went to work on our behalf. They coordinated everything and delivered a truck that was perfect for our needs and within our budget.” Bullock continued, “We recently found ourselves in need of two more trucks and the first and only call I made was to Westfall.” Westfall also has a large parts and service operation that after the purchase, provides customers everything they need to keep their trucks on the road, working efficiently.

18 TRADITION COMMUNITY

The American Royal

The American Royal is a not-for-profit organization that has been located in Kansas City since 1899. What began as the National Hereford Show has evolved into a season of events including six equestrian shows, a Livestock Show, youth and PRCA Rodeos, education programs and the world’s largest barbecue competition- the World Series of Barbecue©. Most people know the American Royal for the record-setting barbecue contest, however, most do not realize it is the largest fundraiser for the organization with an education mission and helps supports over $1 million contributed annually to scholarships and agriculture education programs throughout the year. Competition, education and scholarship are at the heart of the mission of the American Royal. In 2015, more than 50 scholarships were awarded to youth and collegiate students for excellence in academics or competition. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who are pursuing degrees in agriculture or agriculture related industries. Education programs reach more than 10,000 children a year and includes the newly launched Neighborhood Schools Program that provides Ag in

the Classroom curriculum in four urban elementary schools, STEM education programs and partnerships with the Girls Scouts and KC STEM Alliance and various other year-round programs to teach students about agriculture and from where their food comes. Competition draws many people to the Royal each year. Although the reach is nationwide, there are scores of competitors from the Kansas City area who vie for top honors in rodeo, equine events and barbecue. For young exhibitors like Paige Wellendorf, 13, of Kearney, MO, the American Royal provides a national platform on which to compete. “Competing is important to me because it has always been a passion for me ever since I was a little girl sitting on a horse in a field” says Wellendorf who was the Overall Hi Point 13 and under during the Youth Horse Show in September. Emily Saylor, a 12 year old from Parkville, regards the American Royal Youth Horse Show as “the best around.” Emily was surprised in 2014 when she won the Reserve Hi-Point 13 and under at how many exhibitors congratulated her, showed support and gave helpful advice to her as a young competitor. “I love meeting people from all over the region who enjoy the sport as much as I do!” Both Emily and Paige want to pursue careers in the veterinary sciences. Emily notes, “The veterinarians that we see during shows like the American Royal are great role models for us. They are good to work with and set great examples for all of the competitors.” Just recently, the American Royal has launched a new website, new mobile app and has incorporated destination management event planning into all of the 30+ events during the season. The new methods are yielding great results. The annual School Tours and Youth Rodeo welcomed almost 6,000 area elementary students representing a 13% increase over last year, increases in horse show competitors including doubled entries

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19 TRADITION COMMUNITY

BILL DILLINGHAM AND EMILY SAYLOR AT THE HORSE SHOW.

ALLEN VILLAGE MET WITH BAYER’S DR. CAMEON OHMES TO LEARN ABOUT VETERINARY SCIENCE. for the Cutting Horse Show from 2015 and the PRCA Rodeo was standing room only on the Saturday night performance. Three of the American Royal’s largest events are still to come. The two-week long Livestock Show begins on October 19 and runs until October 30 and will draw competitors from over 30 state. The UPHA National Saddlebred Championship runs from November 7-12 and the World’s Series of Barbecue© will take place October 27-30 at the Kansas Speedway. 50,000 people are expected to attend this year’s World Series of BBQ© including 600 teams from 11 countries. For tickets or more information, visit AmericanRoyal.com.

BARBECUE TROPHY

NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS – ROSEHILL ELEMENTARY VISIT DURING HUNTER/JUMPER SHOW

PAIGE WELLENDORF AND HORSE. PAIGE WAS THE CHAMPION HI POINT NOVICE AT THE 2016 YOUTH HORSE SHOW IN SEPTEMBER.

20 RECIPIES FOOD

Seasonal Sensations By Kallie Schaefer & Samantha Belcourt

Kallie Schaefer is out to inspire people to get back in the kitchen to start cooking. She is a wife, a dog-mom, a barista at a local coffee shop and a food blogger. She wants to show that you don’t need a culinary degree or any formal training to be able to put a delicious, homecooked meal on the table. | www.kallieschaefer.com | www.facebook.com/kallieschaeferrecipes

Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe by Kallie Schaefer 1 ½ lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 “ dice 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (stems removed) 4 cloves garlic, finely minced ¼ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons olive oil Grated parmesan cheese, optional >In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients until potatoes are fully coated. >Transfer to a baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through. >Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with parmesan if desired.

Pecan Crust Pumpkin Pie Recipe by Kallie Schaefer For the crust: 2 cups pecans ¼ cup butter, cold 2 tablespoons brown sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon For the filling: 1 ¾ cup pure pumpkin 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons molasses 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs >Pulse the pecans in a food processor until texture resembles graham cracker crumbs. Add the rest of the crust ingredients and continue pulsing until mixture comes together and begins to form a ball. >Press crust mixture into the bottom of a 9” spring-form or glass pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Allow to cool. >Stir together the filling ingredients until smooth. Poor into the cooled crust. >Bake at 425 F degrees for 15 minutes. Then set the oven to 350 and bake an additional 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe by Samantha Belcourt 2 cups almond butter 1/4 cup Maple syrup 1/2 cup coconut oil 3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree >Line an 8” x 8” baking dish with aluminum foil, set aside. In a large bowl, stir together the coconut oil and almond butter. Stir until fully incorporated. >Stir in the maple syrup and pumpkin puree. >Pour into the baking dish and let set in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Allow to thaw for 5 minutes before eating. >Store in freezer or refrigerator. >Makes 9 generous pieces.

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GIVING THE GIFT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP (NewzAdz) – It is customary at this time of year for people to become thankful for things they’ve received and the benefits and blessings they enjoy as a resident of the United States. Of course, many people also give thanks and appreciate the wonderful life we have and enjoy in the Northland. Sandi Schmude, a Five-Star rated Realtor® with RE/MAX Innovations, has some special memories of very special gifts that have made a dramatic diﬀerence in individual lives; and financial futures. ‘Through the years, I’ve had several instances of people helping other people buy homes, usually their first homes,” Sandi relates. A few months ago, the parents of a divorced daughter stepped up with financial assistance to help her get back on her feet with a new life. “What was unusual about the help was they made a direct gift at the closing of escrow on a new home that helped her qualify for a loan that under her circumstances would not have been possible.” Gift letters are a relatively unknown feature that can be an important part of a real estate purchase. Randy Mitchell, a local mortgage representative, said the process is easy to do. “The amount contributed at closing must truly be a gift, not a loan,” he emphasized. “The donor must certify that the funds are not given with any expectation of repayment. Lenders must also check to see that the donor actually has the assets to make the gift and that it’s not being borrowed.” Sandi also discusses a more common use of gift letters: parents and grandparents helping young couples buy their first home as a wedding present. “Some forward-thinking older citizens take the approach that some of their wealth will be passed along to their heirs someday and decide to make a contribution towards down payments or closing costs.” Gift letters let couples just starting out in life get a leg-up on home ownership while rates are low. “That’s smart thinking in some situations because it can take years to qualify to buy when couples are just starting out.” Thanksgiving is a great joyous holiday for many reasons, but the gift that helps people buy a new home is an exceptional cause to celebrate and be thankful. Contact Sandi Schmude for help with any home buyer or selling needs. She has the experience to make great deals happen!

Sandi is always available to help answer real estate questions. Call or text her cell (816-729-5500), email sandi@homeinkc.com or visit her web site at www.homeinkc.com.

Call to schedule your first day of daycare today! Buy 12 days, get 1 free.

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22 DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

LIBERTY AT SHOAL CREEK

LUXURY LIVING FOR EMPTY NESTERS

(NewzAdz) -- The word “Liberty” has several meanings when used to describe the luxury living available to Northland residents over age 55. Empty nesters will enjoy the liberty that comes from living in an up-scale community that allows them to “lock and leave” for adventures. “Freedom from the problems of traditional homeownership is one of the great advantages of our approach to our 55 and Better luxury living,” said Michael Rainen, CEO of Rainen Companies, the community developer. “Not only will residents have new-found freedom, but they will live in style, with our abundance of amenities and fun attitude towards an active, community lifestyle. We are about having good times and making new friends.” The project is a $31 million apartment community that oﬀers one and two-bedroom apartments ranging in total

size from 843 to 1439 square feet. Approximately 1/3 of the planned 185 residences are already pre-leased. Jim and Nancy Tracy have reserved a new luxury residence. “We’ve been waiting for a community like Liberty at Shoal Creek that oﬀers all the amenities and social activities. We weren’t looking to buy a home and we like the freedom to be able to come and go.” “We have created high quality living experiences for Baby Boomers who are ready for an easy shift out of home ownership without losing the flexibility of a quality life style,” noted Melissa Merkys, the property manager. “Our residents are people who want to be part of a new, fun, like-minded community. For many, Liberty at Shoal Creek can be a step-up in luxury when the time is right for a change in lifestyle. “Liberty at Shoal Creek promises to provide great op-

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23 DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

portunities for social and community involvement for seniors,” said Joe and Dottie, who are moving into the community. Seven diﬀerent floor plans accommodate a wide range of lifestyles. Each unit has a private patio or balcony with a storage closet; large 2-bedroom plans have two balconies. All units have tile backsplashes and granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Some kitchens have island counters. Units with 12-foot ceilings are also available. Walk-in closets, energy efficient appliances, including full-sized top-loading washers and dryers and ceiling fans are featured in all living rooms and bedrooms. All units feature a shower and two-bedroom, two-bathroom units have a shower and a bathtub. Liberty at Shoal Creek features an abundance of community amenities including a movie theater and soundproof music room. A tavern room with an adjacent game area features simulated golf, a pool table, skee-ball, arcade games, ping pong and more. Other features include an indoor pool and hot tub, a professionally equipped fitness room, plus a yoga and Pilates studio and digital fitness room. The Rainen team is coordinating with local professionals to bring health, wellness, and fitness classes to the residents. The Liberty Room, a 3,000 square feet ballroom and event space, will accommodate large dining events, guest speakers, and celebratory gatherings. A chef’s demonstration kitchen is perfect for cooking classes and catered events. The

Liberty at Shoal Creek is located at 8800 NE 82nd Street in Kansas City’s Northland. Oﬀice hours are MondayFriday 9am-4pm, Saturdays 12pm-3pm. Model apartments are available for viewing. Interested residents may call 816-272-5722 to schedule a tour. More information is available at www. LibertyatShoalCreek.com. Apartments start at $1,175 monthly.

beautifully landscaped courtyard is the heart of the community and boasts a bocce ball court, putting green, multiple grilling stations, and lounging areas. The Social Activities Director is a key component of the Liberty lifestyle. The goal is to help keep residents engaged and involved by coordinating social events, cooking classes, as well as fitness and wellness programs. The Activities Director also arranges continuing education classes, schedules guest speakers and plans group trips to events in the local community. Two on-site guest suites are available for rent to visiting family and friends. As part of the Village of Shoal Creek Valley neighborhood, the Rainen development is part of the larger Shoal Creek Valley master planned community. Liberty at Shoal Creek is within walking distance to numerous retail, dining and service businesses. Across the street from the community is Mosaic Life Care at Shoal Creek, the Clayview Country Club and a retail center anchored with a Sprouts Farmers Market. Liberty Hospital and top-rated Shoal Creek Golf Course are just short drives away.

24 FA S H I O N COMMUNITY

ADORN STYLE SHOW & BRUNCH The 2016 Adorn Style Show & Brunch on September 17th was a fabulous day that fused fashion, fun and philanthropy! Emcee Michelle Davidson, host of KSHB-TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kansas City Live, welcomed more than 500 guests in the Grand Ballroom at Bartle Hall. Funds raised from the Adorn activities support over 60 local charities.

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The high-energy style show, hosted by the Harvest Ball Society, featured the latest clothing from some of the Kansas City area’s finest boutiques, as well as exciting creations from emerging designers. They included: Alaskan Fur, Alicia Janesko Caftans & Resort Wear, Amelia’s, CW Boutique, Design in the City, Dillard’s, Gown Gallery, La~de~da, Lillians, Sideline Chic and Tip Top Tux.

Fashion Show models were from Kansas City’s Exposure Modeling & Talent Agency. The event was produced and choreographed by Jennifer Mangan, Exposure’s president. Hair and makeup was by Staci Broski from 7th Row Productions. Continuing this year as official photographer was Lai Xu of Bokeh Story Photos.

28 WELLNESS HEALTH

You’re Thankful for Fitness

Until the Plateau Strikes It’s the season of thankfulness, and for many the gratitude list isn’t complete without acknowledging the important role physical fitness plays in living a healthy life. If you’ve been exercising a long time, you may have become so accustomed to the role of fitness in your life that you forget what your days could be like without it.

Here are a few reasons you might be thankful for physical fitness this November: • Your moods are improved. Exercise is a mood regulator. For many people the effects last all day. On days when you have a lot on your plate or are feeling

anxious, you can always turn to exercise to burn nervous energy. • You have a healthy heart. In addition to pumping your heart when you work out, you’re also boosting your brain health and bolstering your immune system. • You’re preventing injury. Depending on the type of exercise, you are strengthening muscles and providing extra support for bones. For instance, engaging in exercises that strengthen your core is great for preventing back injuries. • Life is vibrant. Exercise is adding to your life in many ways. From enjoying long walks in the brisk fall weather, to keeping up with your kids and their busy lives, exercise makes the joys of life possible.

Mosaic Life Care Journey wants to develop lifelong, trusted relationships with people to empower them to achieve their highest level of well-being. This is done by bringing balance to the 7 dimensions that affect busy lives - health, lifestyle, career, relationships, finances, inner peace and creativity. A life journey has no end - it is a constant exploration of self and one’s potential. Mosaic Life Care Journey wants to help individuals take control of their life care through fitness, nutrition, relaxation, celebration, life coaching and learning on the journey.

Now that you’ve taken a moment to reflect on the important role of physical fitness in your life ---and your thankfulness for it--it’s time to address another topic that might be on your mind: fitness plateaus. Sure, you’re thankful for your exercise routine and how great it is for your health. Lately, though, you’ve noticed that you’re not as motivated and your progress seems to be slowing. It may seem odd to recount the reasons you appreciate exercise before talking about fitness plateaus, but it’s important to remember why you exercise so you’re not tempted to give it up when a plateau hits. Plateaus happen to everyone, and it’s often in the midst of a plateau that people become discouraged and discontinue their workout regimen. There are many reasons plateaus occur, but the main one is simply that your body has strengthened in those specific ways you are using it and those exercises are no longer challenging. Your body is great at adapting to its environment and needs periodic changes to keep improving your fitness level.

Here are some techniques to try when you hit a fitness plateau Vary your workout. If you’re running a few times a week as your only workout, for instance, you may become bored with the same thing. Try introducing some variation in your exercise, such as alternating your runs with some strength training, bike riding and yoga or Pilates. Varying the type and intensity of your workouts is a great way to boost your fitness level and keep you from hitting mental and physical plateaus. You can also vary your workout in other ways. Try mixing up your intensity, your speed and the order in which you do your routine. Change other things, too. A fitness plateau can be affected by more than just what you do in the gym. ilivenorth.com

You can also stir things up by increasing your protein or fat intake or by decreasing caffeine. Another technique to try is to keep a fitness journal. It feels good to record that you completed a challenging workout video, or that you hit a new personal record for push ups. Having new gear can also help you push through a plateau. If you’ve been eyeing a new set of fancy ear buds or want to treat yourself to a day at the spa, set a goal to earn that reward. Create a balanced program for ongoing success. If you want to avoid fitness plateaus in the future, it’s important to design a workout regimen that includes several components: • Strength training • Low-intensity workout • Cardio workout • Yoga or Pilates for flexibility and balance Incorporating these four types of exercise helps you achieve a balanced approach to fitness, and gives your body time to recover and rest from the more intense varieties. Include some of these components each week and you’ll see results. Everyone periodically falls victim to a fitness plateau. When that happens, it’s important to acknowledge the important role that exercise fills in your life before you’re tempted to give up. In this season, when it’s traditional to take a minute to count your blessings, make sure you reflect on the benefits you gain from your commitment to physical fitness; plateaus and all.

30 WELLNESS HEALTH

Why Owning a Dog Does a Body Good

By James H. OíKeefe, M.D.

Often in my practice I see patients who need a reason to exercise, and someone they can exercise with. Sometimes it isn’t possible to walk or run with a human partner. That’s when I write an actual prescription that says: “Rx—One dog to be taken for a walk at least two times daily. Refill as needed. Substitution permitted.” Dogs are willing companions, always ready for a walk or run, and eager to please, whether you exercise in the early morning, or late at night. Heart-healthy research published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journal, Circulation, has shown:

Dr. James O’Keefe is a cardiologist with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, located in Lee’s Summit at 20 N.E. Saint Luke’s Blvd., Suite 110, 816-9311883. Also read Dr. O’Keefe’s newsletter, For the Heart, online at: http://www. saintlukeshealthsystem. org/saint-lukescardiovascularconsultants-newsletter

• Pet ownership is probably associated with a reduction in heart disease risk factors and increased survival among patients. But the studies aren’t definitive and do not necessarily prove that owning a pet directly causes a reduction in heart disease risk. It may be simply that healthier people are the ones that have pets, not that having a pet actually leads to or causes a reduction in cardiovascular risk.

• Dog ownership in particular may help reduce cardiovascular risk. People with dogs may engage in more physical activity because they walk them. In a study of more than 5,200 adults, dog owners engaged in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners, and were 54 percent more likely to get the recommended level of physical activity. • Owning pets may be associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and a lower incidence of obesity.

STEVEN GREEN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

31 WELLNESS HEALTH

Dog ownership also may result in: • Reduced stress: Studies have shown that petting a dog or cat can release the oxytocin hormone and decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in a more relaxed state. • More active lifestyles: A 2011 study by Michigan State University researchers found that 60 percent of dog owners who walked their pets regularly met the recommended criteria for regular exercise. • Fewer feelings of loneliness: From feeling obligated to get out of the house to walk their dogs as well as attracting attention by the presence of a dog, people who own dogs are proven to be less lonely. A study published in 1993 found that “dog owners reported significantly less dissatisfaction with their social, physical and emotional states.”

Where the setting

makes your occasion special.

• Fewer allergies: According to the Department of Pediatrics, infants in homes with dogs are significantly less likely to develop allergies. This included less allergic dermatitis and wheezing. Obviously, science is verifying that dog ownership is healthy, but there are also intangible benefits to owning a dog—unconditional love, friendship and companionship—that are difficult to measure, yet can be a powerful prescription for a healthy heart and a peaceful, happy outlook. Our pets don’t judge, criticize or ask for money. They adore us just the way we are. Combine that with the physical and psychological benefits of dog ownership, and what more could you ask for?

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1329 Baltimore Kansas City, Missouri Image by Freeland Photography

32 NUTRITION HEALTH

WHAT IS DIABETES?

By Sarah Harding Laidlaw

WHAT IS DIABETES? Diabetes is a condition whereby your body is not able to use the sugar (glucose) that comes from digestion and metabolism of the food you eat. Our bodies need this sugar for energy for everyday activities. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, aﬀecting 90-95% of those persons with the disease and results from the body’s inability to produce enough or eﬀectively use insulin. Type 2 used to be called “adult onset diabetes” but so many children are now developing it, it is now commonly called type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce any insulin and is seen more often in children prior to puberty, but can occur at later ages. Gestational diabetes is seen in pregnant women who develop high blood sugar during pregnancy; many women who have gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life if they do not take steps to prevent it. Some people are told they have “pre-diabetes,” having fasting blood sugar levels of 100 gm/dl or greater which is not high enough for diagnosis of diabetes. People with a fasting plasma blood sugar of 126 mg/dl on two separate

occasions are considered having diabetes. Another measure for diabetes is the hemoglobin A1c test which measures the average of blood sugar over 60 to 90 days. A normal A1c is considered to be 5.7% or less, prediabetes 5.7-6.4%, and diabetes 6.5% or higher. The A1c test is also a good measure of how well persons taking medication are controlling their overall blood sugar.

INCIDENCE AND COMPLICATIONS Approximately 29 million (one in eleven) Americans are currently diagnosed with diabetes with another one in two adults remaining undiagnosed. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Americans due to complications that are largely preventable. Persons with consistently high blood sugar levels can develop heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, blindness, irreversible nerve damage, teeth loss, and amputation of limbs. Uncontrolled diabetes can also result in a higher incidence of infections, some chronic and life threatening. Women with uncontrolled blood sugar during pregnancy can have larger than normal babies (complicating the delivery), high blood pressure, and the babies are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes as they get older.

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33 NUTRITION HEALTH

RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES • • • ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Harding Laidlaw, MS, RDN, CDE, practices integrative and functional nutrition in Western Colorado. She is editor of The Integrative RDN, the newsletter of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics practice group Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine. She is author of numerous articles on nutrition and sports nutrition, as well as consumer and college level publications.

•

• •

• • •

Being overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. Family history of type 2 diabetes. Unhealthy diet – one of few fruits, vegetables, legumes and high in processed foods and snacks. Being sedentary or physically inactive –not getting 30 minutes or more of exercise most days of the week. Increasing age – you want to be first tested with a fasting plasma glucose at age 45, even if you have no symptoms. Frequency after that depends on the results and any signs or symptoms you might have later on. High blood pressure. Ethnicity – Hispanic, Native American and Black people tend to have a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes. History of gestational diabetes giving birth to a baby over nine pounds. Polycystic ovary syndrome. High blood triglyceride levels (250 mg/dl or greater) and low HDL cholesterol (35 mg/dl or less).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • • • • • • • •

Being really thirsty and unable to quench your thirst. Frequent urination. Unexplained weight loss. Increased hunger. Being unusually tired. Blurred vision. Frequent infections and sores that will not heal. Tingling or numbness in the hands and/ or feet.

PREVENTION Chances are, you or someone close to you has

pre-diabetes, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or is at risk of developing it. It is not a given, even with family history of the disease, you will develop it if you take the steps necessary to prevent, delay, or lessen the severity and or complications from diabetes. It is important to understand why preventing type 2 diabetes is so important and what steps you and your family can take to stay healthy. Research has shown that taking many of the following steps can help you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58% or help you manage your diabetes if you already have it and prevent further complications. •

• •

If you are overweight or obese, lose 7% of your body weight (that’s just 15 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds). Exercise moderately, like brisk walking, 30 minutes five days per week. Eat a balanced diet with fewer processed foods and meats, and more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low fat dairy products.

RESOURCES For more information on diabetes and the steps you can take to prevent or manage it, the following organizations’ are a place to start. American Diabetes Association – www.diabetes.org International Diabetes Federation – www.idf.org Joslin Diabetes Center – www.joslin.org National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Diabetes Education Program https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/ health-communication-programs/ndep/Pages/ index.aspx Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – www.eatright.org

About the author

Diana Chaloux â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LaCerte is co-owner of Hitch Fit Gym & Hitch Fit Online Personal Training based in Kansas City, MO. For information on one on one personal training visit www. HitchFitGym.com or call 816-753-8900. For online personal training visit www. HitchFit.com . Write to Diana at Diana. Chaloux@yahoo. com .

36 COACHING LIFESTYLE

Gratitude Power See the differences in one year

By Kim Specker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kim Specker is a lifetransformation coach specializing in helping people experience more satisfying and fulfilling relationships, discover their identity or increase inner peace. Reducing anxiety, increasing life satisfaction and creating intentional strategies for a more fulfilling life are just a few of the benefits of working with a life coach at RARE Transformation. Kim is certified by the International Coaching Federation. Kim can be reached at info@ raretransformation. com

If you knew you could change your health, your wealth and the quality of life by writing just one daily thank you note, would you do it? No matter what the research demonstrates, expressions of gratitude in hand-written thank you notes continue to decline. There is no research to document the decline of verbal appreciation, but from the tone of our culture, it seems verbal gratitude could also be diminishing.

of gratitude. Recently a group of six Northland women met weekly for six months to share their stories of appreciation with one another. They would first write their daily appreciation journal entries and then choose one of their favorite appreciation stories to read to the group. The increase in their overall satisfaction with life greatly increased. Some group members noted they were also experiencing deeper

What happens to a culture that loses the gift of gratitude or appreciation? Recently I heard of a gentleman who ended his third marriage; his business was floundering and his children were displeased with him. To help him make the shift from negativity to positive emotions, someone suggested that he write one daily note of gratitude. The note could be sent to family, friends, co-workers, clients, vendors or people who had made a diﬀerence in his lifetime. The man couldn’t believe this 15-minute-a-day exercise could change his life, but the results of the experiment were astounding. He experienced greater positivity in his life, better relationships with his children and an increase in his business profits. This fortunate fellow is not the only person I have heard of who has received the benefits

relational satisfaction because they were making it a practice to share gratitude during the week with someone in addition to the weekly group sharing. One woman also noticed she didn’t feel overwhelmed or anxious as long as she practiced daily appreciation. This “stacking” appreciation exercise continued to build each woman’s positive emotional capacity. The practice of expressing appreciation and gratitude has become a part of their transformational journey. Research indicates that audibly sharing a written appreciation with those around you positively shifts your brain chemistry. This shift reduces stress and anxiety, remaps your neuropathways and builds stronger inter-personal relationships.

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37 COACHING LIFESTYLE

When is the last time you shared gratitude with someone? Consider improving the quality of your relationships and emotional health by choosing one of the following ideas this Thanksgiving season. >> Begin with 30 days of gratitude expression to show yourself how easy it is to launch a new habit. >> Make it easy on yourself and get a supply of thank you cards and stamps ahead of time. >> Decide what time of day you want to write your card. Morning seems to be the most motivational time of day to show appreciation. >> Write a daily journal entry that reflects one thing you are grateful for that occurred during the day. >> Get your journal and pen ready and choose when and where you want to write. >> Create a relaxing setting so that you can sa-

vor the appreciation moment as you allow your pen to flow. >> Note how the appreciation moment feels in your body. Does stress diminish? >> Create a group of three to six people who want to grow their relational skill and emotional capacity. Intentionality births new behaviors and positive experiences. >> Consider meeting on a regular basis to share the best appreciation entries of the week. >> Community will help build stronger relational skills just by â&#x20AC;&#x153;beingâ&#x20AC;? together. >> Daily let someone know how much you appreciate them through conversation. Look in their eyes and express why you appreciate them. >> Wait for their response to your gratitude. You might be surprised by their responses.

If the above exercises seem daunting, try communicating a simple smile with someone you encounter throughout the day. Personally, I enjoy the practice of smiling at babies and small children. I stop and wait for their joy-filled expressions. I know when I share joy or appreciation with babies I am helping them grow their emotional capacity. Smiling regularly can be your positive contribution to the world. Just try it--an authentic smile births a return smile. Smiles are free and are one thing that can unite us. Smiles are welcomed around the world in every culture. May this be an authentically grateful Thanksgiving season for you and your family. Be intentional about letting those around you know why you are thankful for them and what they mean to you. If you want to know more about how to begin a Gratitude Group you can reach out for a free Gratitude Guide at info@raretransformation.com. Happy Thanksgiving.

38 RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE

Replacing the lost nonfinancial benefits of work after retirement By Mickie Schroeder & Jeffrey Jans

Mickie Schroeder and Jeffrey Jans are owners of BOOMERangs Circle Back to Your Dreams, a retirement coaching company. They provide coaching for individuals, couples, and small groups. The couple retired from a local telecommunications company where they were executive coaches. After searching for a retirement coach themselves and finding none, they became their first clients. They are certified Retirement Life Coaches. www. BOOMERangsRetirementCoach.com or www.facebook/ boomerangsretirementcoaching or call 816-651-5900.

A neighbor of ours, Daniel, retired in April of this year. He’d worked at one company in one field his entire career. There were promotions and new assignments along the way that kept him interested and earning enough income to afford the necessities and beyond. His wife, Betsy, continues to work at a job she enjoys and finds rewarding. Their 2 children are both off pursuing careers of their own. His co-workers made up a very high percentage of his friends and social life. Regular company events – both work related and for fun - kept him meeting new and different people all the time. Daniel counted people of different races, nationalities, and ages as friends. His direct manager and manager’s manager were both women which he’d long since thought not unusual as they, clearly, were doing a great job. Daniel’s work was highly specialized and critical to his company’s success. Although not an executive or even a manager, his expertise was sought by all. He is very proud of being so highly regarded. We live on a lake that is awash with summer time activities and socializing. It’s a little like summer camp for kids of all ages and is non-stop from Memorial to Labor Day. Now that boats are covered up and it’s too cold for swimming, the spontaneous middle-

of-the-lake parties have stopped. People have begun to hunker down for the fall and winter, and Daniel is bored. He was so looking forward to leaving the rat race, he overlooked the fact that he enjoyed a great deal of it and it gave him many benefits. The structure of his days/weeks is now gone. He had a degree of status and, therefore, influence that is now gone. The work itself was often a challenge, but he looked forward to it and now it is gone. 90% of the people he knew and called friends (to varying degrees) are now gone. He’s begun to realize his whole life, even his identity, was wrapped up in that job. Daniel did not see this loss coming and is unsure about his next move. Luckily for Daniel, his neighbors are retirement coaches and rushed to his aid. Just as if the person next door is a doctor or nurse who can stop your bleeding, we provided a retirement tourniquet. The one diversion Daniel still has is golf, so we used it as a way to explain to him the benefits work provides and how they need to be replaced for retirement to be satisfying. Playing golf provides diﬀerent benefits for diﬀerent people. One benefit is to be with others and have fun-socialize. Another ben-

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39 RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE

efit is playing with people who are influential and, by knowing them, become more influential themselves-status. A third benefit is scoring better than you did on your last outing or better than the others with whom you play-achievement. It doesn’t have to be one of these all the time. For instance, an excellent golfer with a low handicap may forget about playing great one day as he or she is playing with friends, not competing.

The work a person does provides the same 3 benefits or needs – achievement, social, and status - as well an identity. They all need to be replaced when retiring. A Brigade Commander (usually a Colonel) in the U.S. Army is in charge of as many as 5,000 people and all that goes with that. It is a highly responsible job, just 3 levels below General. When a person of this stature retires, all the deference that has been paid to them is gone. How strange must that be? The young woman at the counter as the ex-colonel pays for coﬀee does not salute. What happens to your identity under these circumstances? It takes a powerful hit and needs to be reclaimed. Below is an activity we did with Daniel to help him reclaim his identity. After years of seeing himself mostly through the prism of his profession, he was feeling more than a little lost.

Identify and write down those qualities you possess (that you like) that are not tied to anything but you. In other words, these are qualities you bring to washing the dishes, teaching your kids, advising an elderly parent, driving in rush-hour traﬀic, and to your job. You take these qualities with you wherever you go and appropriately demonstrate them, when called for, in a variety of situations and relationships. These are traits or characteristics, not skills. They are your core. Come up with as many as you see fit. Once you have this list, edit out any redundancies and Google each trait one by one. With each trait, click on “images” and select the one that, for you, best represents that trait or characteristic. Print each of these and attach them to a poster board. Place the poster board in a spot where you’ll see it regularly for a month or more. Throughout the time you see the poster board with the pictures on it, remember a time when you did something indicative of a trait that catches your eye. For instance, let’s say one of your traits is “spontaneous.” You would write (on a 3 X 5 card) about a time when you were that way. For example, “learned of a concert in a far oﬀ town by a favorite band scheduled for tomorrow, dropped everything and went.” Attach the card to the poster adjacent to the picture. Gradually, as you fill the board with pictures and descriptions of your traits, you will reclaim them in ways that don’t have to do with your work or profession but are, simply, you. Other activities can help you replace more of the lost benefits of work after retirement. For instance, try a self-assessment called “What Motivates You More- Achievement, Status, or Social?”

40 BOOK REVIEWS MEDIA & ARTS

amazingBOOKS that take you on a Journey By Elizabeth Reinhardt

Elizabeth Reinhardt is the Book Group Coordinator and Readers Advisor at the Parkville Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library. She was born and raised in Platte Woods and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Emporia State University. She will graduate in December with a Master’s degree in Library Science from Emporia State University.

Parkville Branch 8815 Tom Watson Pkwy. Parkville, MO 64152 Phone: 816.741.4721 Mon. - Thur. 9 - 9, Fri. 9 - 6, Sat. 9 - 5 Branch Manager: Eric Bullock

LA ROSE by Louise Erdrich The unimaginable becomes reality when Landreaux Iron misses his shot and doesn’t kill the buck he was aiming for, but Dusty Ravich, his neighbor’s son. Haunted by this mistake, he meditates and prays, waiting for an answer from the spirits. Days later, he appears on the Ravich’s doorstep with his son LaRose and simply explains, “Our son will be your son now.” What follows is a heartbreaking, poetic, and even hopeful exploration of the grief, regret, guilt, anger, and love of two families who share one son. As the Ravich family mourns the death of their son, the Iron family mourns the surrender of theirs. Each member of the family deals with their grief diﬀerently: denial, anger, optimism, and depression. As the two families draw together to share LaRose, they are forced to confront the raw emotions they’ve harbored and find a way to continue on. “LaRose” isn’t only a story about two families, but about the history and spirit of a North Dakota town and the people whose ancestors lived in those woods for millennia. The tiredness, ugliness, and resilience of the town and its residents will feel familiar to readers who have lived in similar rural communities. Erdrich’s style flows and lacks formal chapter delineations, which can make the novel feel much longer than it really is; some readers may initially be thrown by Erdrich’s intentional elimination of quotation marks, which causes dialog to flow into description. By turns harsh and poetic, “LaRose” is a hauntingly beautiful novel that draws the reader in and keeps them enthralled in the lives and histories playing out on the page. Erdrich understands that sometimes a happy ending is simply impossible, but that healing and redemption can be infinitely more precious.

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41 BOOK REVIEWS MEDIA & ARTS TODAY WILL BE DIFFERENT by Maria Semple Eleanor Flood has sworn to be “her best self” for one day. After years of sleepwalking through the day with the same agitated pessimistic attitude, she swears that today will be different. Unfortunately, today is also the day that all of Eleanor’s insecurities about herself, her family, and her past will catch up to her and force her to take a close, hard look at the woman she is. First, her eight-year-old son plays sick to get out of school and spend time with her, then she finds that her husband has told his office that he’s on vacation… and told Eleanor he’s at the office. And when she runs into a former colleague intent on reminiscing, she’s forced to answer some difficult questions posed by her son: Why did she stop animating? What happened to the book she was supposed to write eight years ago? And why has she lied about not having a sister? “Today Will Be Different” is a relentless exploration of the people we become when we ignore our pasts, as well as an uplifting reflection on the meaning of family, no matter how strange or exasperating they may be. “Today” is very similar to Semple’s previous work, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” and sharp-eyed readers will find some references to “Bernadette,” though it’s not necessary to read one to understand the other. Semple has a very fluid style, which can make it difficult to discern where flashbacks begin and end, and her humor may take some getting used to, but “Today Will Be Different” leaves the reader with questions and ideas to wrestle with long after the final page.

RECOMMENDEDAudioBOOKS

BY JAMES PATTERSON & MAXINE PAETRO Brigid Fitzgerald has served as a doctor in Sudan, overcome personal trials, and had her faith tested countless times. And now it looks like she may be chosen as the next Pope, but only if she can survive the adversaries who are intent upon silencing her at any cost.

BY AMY SCHUMER In her memoir, the noted comedian and actress recounts stories from her life and the experiences that shaped her to be the person she is today.

BY RON CHERNOW The basis for the Broadway smash hit “Hamilton!”, this biography explores the life of Alexander Hamilton, from childhood to revolution to his fatal duel with Aaron Burr.

BY MEGAN MIRANDA Nicolette Farrell left her hometown 10 years ago when her best friend vanished without a trace. When she returns to settle family aﬀairs, another young woman disappears… and it looks like the two incidents may be related.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cathy Kline’s murals can be seen at the Parkville Athletic Complex, Piropos, Zona Rosa, The Peach Tree and Burlington Creek’s Watercolors High Fashion.

Artist , Wanda Greene

Cathy Kline Art Gallery 8701 N. River Park Dr., Parkville, MO 64152. 913-449-4460 www.cathyklineart. com

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43 ART MEDIA & ARTS

CAPTURING TRUTH By Cathy Kline

Wanda Greene is a local artist who paints with oil and is inspired by nature. Her loosely rendered statements are treated with thickly textured brushwork. She freely shares what she creates by entering juried art shows and contributing to art associations. In 2008, an empty nest at home began Wanda’s art career. Without two kids to look after, Wanda and her husband began to focus on each other. After many years of workshops and development, Wanda has officially joined the Kansas City art scene. “My art is about the beauty of truth,” says Wanda. She seeks to capture the beauty of her subjects and then convey that truth as realistically as possible. In September, Wanda orchestrated her first Plein Air event, “Thundering Oaks Independence Paint-Out,” held on the private property of Peter Sunderman and Curt Thomas. She was sponsored by The Missouri Valley Impressionist Society. The completed works can be seen this November at the Vivilore Art and Antique Gallery in Independence. Wanda is already preparing for the second year of what is now slated to be an annual event. As ‘The Diver’ submerges into the water, we too are immersed in sunscreen, sand and sunlight. It is Summer again! Don’t forget your towel. To see more of Wanda’s work, see wandagreenefineart.com.

RESTAURANT GUIDE | 2016 MODERN AMERICAN Justus Drugstore Restaurant $$$$ Smithville 106 W. Main St. American, Modern American, organic Eighty Eight at The Elms $$$$ Excelsior Springs 401 Regent St. Mediterranean, Modern American Piropos $$$$ Briarcliﬀ Village 4141 N. Mulberry Dr. Latin American, Argentina, steakhouse Shields Manor Bistro $$$$ Platte City 121 Main St. American, seafood, steakhouse Bonefish Grill $$$ Burlington Creek 6334 N. Lucern Ave. American, seafood Trezo Mare $$$ Briarcliﬀ Village 4105 N. Mulberry Dr. American, Italian, seafood The Grille by Piropos $$$ Parkville 1 W. 1st Street Latin American Cork & Brew $$$ Liberty 8 E. Franklin St. American, pizza, seafood Pearls Oyster Bar $$$ Ameristar Casino 3200 American Dr. Seafood

Houlihan’s $$ Zona Rosa Modern American 8660 N. Boardwalk Ave. ASIAN | JAPANESE Tokyo Japanese Steak House $$$ Gladstone 7 NW Barry Rd. Japanese, steakhouse, sushi Kato Japanese $$$ Zona Rosa 6340 NW Barry Rd. Japanese, sushi Zara Sushi $$ Parkville 10925 45 Hwy. Japanese, sushi Wasabi Japanese Sushi Bar $$ Liberty 9763 N. Cedar Ave. Japanese, sushi ASIAN | CHINESE Bo Lings $$ Zona Rosa 8670 NW Prairie View Rd. Chinese, Dim Sum China Wok $ Zona Rosa 6048 NW Barry Rd. ASIAN | THAI Spices Asian Restaurant $$ North Kansas City 2417 Burlington St Thai Curries, Noodles Tasty Thai $$ Platte Woods 7104 NW Prairie View Rd. $$ Liberty 1912 Star Dr. Asian, Thai, vegetarian

$$ Gladstone 6304 N. Oak St. $$ Zona Rosa 8451 NW Prairie View Rd. Barbecue, steakhouse

ASIAN | INDIAN Seva Cuisine of India $$ Liberty 8674 NE Flintlock Rd. Indian, Pakistani, vegetarian Swagat Fine Indian Cuisine $$ Zona Rosa 7407 NW 87th St. Indian, Pakistani, vegetarian Taj Mahal $$ Liberty 917 W. Liberty Dr.

Smokin’ Guns BBQ $$ North Kansas City 1218 Swift Ave. Barbecue Dickey’s Barbeque Pit $$ Liberty 66 S. 291 Hwy. Barbecue

Saﬀron Indian Restaurant $$ Zona Rosa 8140 NW Prairie View Rd.

Hawg Jaw BBQ $$ Riverside 4403 NW Gateway Ave. Barbecue

BARBECUE Smokehouse Barbecue

Smokebox BBQ Cafe $$ Tiﬀany Springs 10020 NW

Ambassador Dr. American, barbecue BURGERS, WRAPS, SANDWICHES Longboards Wraps & Bowls $$ Gladstone 6269 N. Oak Traﬀicway $$ Liberty 1173 W. Kansas St. Hawaiian, Teriyaki Jersey Boyz $ North Kansas City 315 Armour Rd. Sandwiches, subs Little Store & Deli $ North Kansas City 2107 Knox Breakfast/brunch, burgers, sandwiches, subs Philly Time $ Briarcliﬀ Village

4151 N. Mulberry Dr. American, burgers, sandwiches LC’s Hamburgers Etc. $ Platte Woods 7612 NW Prairie View Rd. Hayes Hamburger & Chili $ Gladstone 2502 NE Vivion Rd. COMFORT FOOD Stroud’s $$ Kansas City 5410 NE Oak Ridge Rd. American, fried chicken Corner Cafe $ Riverside 4541 NW Gateway Ave. $$ Liberty

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8301 NE Flintlock Rd. American, breakfast/ brunch, dinner Roxanne’s Cafe $ Parkville 6264 Lewis Dr. American, breakfast/ brunch Nelle Belle’s Diner $ Claycomo 150 E. US 69 Hwy. American, breakfast/ brunch, dinner

$$ Liberty 921 W. Liberty Dr. El Maguey $ Gladstone 7831 N. Oak Tfwy. Tortilla Flats $$ Gladstone 3716 NE Antioch Rd. American, Mexican, Southwestern

FRENCH Avalon Cafe $$$ Weston 608 Main St.

Luna Azteca Mexican Grill $$ Tiﬀany Springs 10004 NW Ambassador Drive $$ Burlington Creek 5918 NW 63rd Terr. Mexican, Spanish

Cafe des Amis $$$ Parkville 112 Main St.

Jose Pepper’s $ Briarcliﬀ Village 4125 N. Mulberry Dr.

ITALIAN Cascone’s Italian $$$ Kansas City 3737 N. Oak Tfwy. Italian

In-a-Tub $ Kansas City 4000 N. Oak Tfwy. $ Platte Woods 8174 NW Prairie View Rd.

Bravo Cucina Italiana $$ Zona Rosa 7301 NW 87th St. Italian Cafe Italia $$ Parkville 160 English Landing Drive Italian, seafood, steakhouse MEXICAN Ixtapa Mexican Cuisine $$ Zona Rosa 7130 NW Barry Rd. Margarita’s North $ Gladstone 7013 N. Oak Tfwy. Rancho Grande Cantina $ Parkville 11015 NW MO-45

PIZZA Stone Canyon Pizza $$ Parkville 15 Main St. $$ Zona Rosa 8630 NW Prairie View Rd. American, pizza, sandwiches, subs Leo’s Pizza $ Gladstone 408 NW Englewood Rd. Pizza, sandwiches Minsky’s Pizza $$ Zona Rosa 7007 NW Barry Rd. $$ Gladstone 221 NE Barry Rd. $$ Liberty 205 N. State Route 291 Italian, pizza, sandwiches, subs

Van Till Farms $$ Rayville 13986 Hwy. C Wood-fired pizza, wine Kelso’s Pizza $$ North Kansas City 300 Armour Rd. American, pizza, sandwiches Pizza Shoppe $$ Liberty 8584 Church Rd. $$ Platte Woods 6640 NW Prairie View Rd. $$ Gladstone 9329 N. Oak Tfwy. PUB FOOD Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum $$ North Kansas City 323 Armour Rd. American, pub food, sandwihes

54th Street Grill and Bar $$ Liberty 9251 NE Barry Rd. $$ Gladstone 303 NE Englewood Rd. $$ Zona Rosa 7200 NW 86th Terr. Pub food Paul & Jack’s Tavern $$ North Kansas City 1808 Clay St. American, burgers, pub food The Brass Rail $ Gladstone American, burgers, pub food 4940 NE 81st St. Tanner’s Bar and Grill $$ Gladstone 6024 N. Antioch Rd.

American, burgers, pub food Helen’s J.A.D. Bar and Grill $ North Kansas City 2002 Armour Rd. Burgers, pizza, pub food Dirk’s Sports Bar and Grill $ Zona Rosa 8132 NW Prairie View Rd. American, pub food Crazy Olives Bar and Grill $$ Argosy Casino 777 NW Argosy Pkwy. American, burgers, Italian

Conrad’s Restaurant and Bar $$ Liberty American, seafood, steakhouse 210 State Hwy. 291 810 Zone at Harrah’s $$ Harrah’s Casino 1 Riverboat Dr. American, pub food Brickhouse Cafe and Pub $$ Smithville 111 N. Bridge St. American, pub food

NOW OPEN IN MARTIN CITY

Margarita’s amigos DAILY SPECIALS: Monday: Chicken hard taco and cheese enchilada Tuesday: Buy one get one Open-air or enclosed ground beef hard taco patio catering available Wednesday: Buy one get one to small parties by ground beef soft taco Now serving breakfast appointment Thursday: Ala carte burritos at select locations Friday: $2 off taco salad Saturday: Fajitas! www.MARGARITASAMIGOS.com

JOHNSON COUNTY (913) 631- 5553 7890 Quivera Lenexa, KS

KANSAS CITY NORTH (816) 468-0337 7013 N. Oak Gladstone, MO

LOCATIONS LIBERTY (816) 781-3031 1910 Victory Drive, Suite B Liberty, MO

NOW OPEN! DOWNTOWN (816) 931-4849 2829 SW Blvd. Kansas, City, MO

MARTIN CITY (816) 26-7421 13401 Holmes Rd. Kansas, City, MO

46 PET ADOPTIONS PETS

Finding Forever Homes For Pets KC Pet Project is the non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization the city of Kansas City, Missouri, selected to operate the city’s municipal animal shelter in 2012. KC Pet Project is the largest No Kill animal shelter and pet adoption center in the entire metropolitan area. It is proud to be the 3rd largest open admission, No Kill shelter in the United States. This year more than 10,000 animals will enter the shelter. KC Pet Project has three adoption centers in the metro area: the Main Shelter located by Arrowhead and Kauﬀman Stadiums, the Zona Rosa Adoption Center, and a Petco Adoption Center in Overland Park, KS. There are also five Petco locations to adopt cats. The Zona Rosa Adoption Center continues to be incredibly successful. One out of every three adoptions at KC Pet Project happen at this location, the only pet adoption center in the Northland. All their adoptable animals can be viewed at www.kcpetproject.org. Their free mobile app for iPhone or Android is also available for download.

Boris You’d better hurry to the KC Pet Project Pet Adoption Center in Zona Rosa to meet this big guy. This is Boris and he’s a 9-year-old Pit Bull mix looking for a new family today. With his big heart that knows no strangers and calm, puppy-like disposition, he is another Zona Rosa, gem! He gets along well with other dogs and loves people. Adopt Boris today!

Mesha Mesha is an affectionate gal with a heart of gold. She is 10 year-old and has been described as active, playful, and friendly to all she meets. She gets along well with dogs, cats, and loves people. Come meet pretty Mesha at our Zona Rosa location today!

Won Ton Won Ton is a happy and energetic 2-year-old Pit Bull mix who has had a lot happen to him in his past, but he’s now looking for a family to give him a new life. He has patches of hair that are missing on parts of his body, old injuries that are healing. Despite being found as a stray in Kansas City, he is a happy guy who is eager to please people and smiles with his tail! Go see him today at our Zona Rosa location!

KC PET PROJECT PET ADOPTION CENTER IN ZONA ROSA

7351 NW 87th Terrace Kansas City, MO 64153 (across from Dillard’s) 816-587-0224 www.kcpetproject.org ilivenorth.com

47 NOVEMBER CROSSWORD

SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

48 CLOSING THOUGHTS

WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Allen E. Dillingham is Publisher of NORTH Magazine and President of Dillingham Communications, Inc. He is a seventh generation Northlander, and is grateful to serve on several area boards of directors. Those boards include Kansas City, Missouri Parks & Recreation, The American Royal, Native Sons & Daughters of Kansas City, Friends of the Zoo and The Labor Management Council. He can be reached at allen@KC.TODAY.

With 2016 winding down and the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, it is a perfect time to think about your life and the gratitude you hold for its many blessings. Lately, there has been much talk about the importance of keeping a gratitude journal and how it can change your life. This is a great time to consider following that advice. We all have many things for which we can be thankful. I thought I would share a few items on my Northland gratitude list. First of all, I am grateful for family and close friends. Nothing worthwhile can be accomplished without the support of family and the help of friends. In the Northland, we all belong to what seems like a great extended family. Attending the Harvest Ball on November 19th is like going to a giant family reunion. Second, I am thankful for our outstanding public schools. The Northland is home to several good public school districts. I’ll mention the three largest. Capably led by new Superintendent Dan Clemens, the North Kansas City School District is the fourth largest public school district in the state with an enrollment nearing 20,000 students. The district just passed a bond election to update certain school buildings and totally update and transform North Kansas City High School. The Park Hill School District, mostly located in the southern portion of Platte County, is an outstanding school district. Both district high schools, Park Hill and Park Hill South, have been ranked among the best high schools in the state and nation. The Platte County R-3 School District, headquartered in Platte City, is led by Superintendent Mike Reik. This district will be absorbing most of the population growth that is coming in the much talked-about Twin Creeks area north of Highway 152, between I-29 and Highway 169. Third, I am thankful for our beautiful parks located throughout Clay and Platte Counties. Hodge Park, a KCMO park, stands as the Northland’s largest park at just over 1,000 acres. Other great parks include Macken in North Kansas City, Tiffany Springs, Tiffany Hills, Platte Purchase, English Landing, Happy Rock, E.H. Young Riverfront and Smithville Lake. Parks departments in Kansas City, Liberty, Gladstone, Platte County, Clay County, North Kansas City and other municipalities all provide our area with excellent public spaces for families. We are also blessed to have KCMO parkways to serve as primary thoroughfares for the Northland; Tiffany Springs Parkway and Shoal Creek Parkway are notable. Fourth, I am grateful for a Northland future that shines brightly. Half the land area that comprises Kansas City, Missouri is in the Northland, so KCMO must look north of the river to expand and grow its tax base. I frequently hear that to support the public amenities we enjoy in Kansas City, we really need to have a population of 600,000+ (KC’s current population is just over 467,000). The Twin Creeks area mentioned above will be the driving force for future economic development and population growth, adding to the incredible growth we have witnessed in the Shoal Creek Valley. Lastly, I am grateful for all of those that have come before us and worked hard to give us an area to call home. We all stand on the shoulders of others. We are handed the baton and are expected to carry on their efforts and good work. Each generation should strive to leave the world a little better off for the next generation. That is our tradition in this country and in the Northland. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, support and input. Please continue to reach out to me with your ideas and stories at allen@kc.today and on Twitter @AllenDillingham. Thanks for reading.

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