Arts + Culture

Breaking Through Barriers:

Operation Breakthrough’s Mission of Hope Article by Angela Broockerd In the heart of Kansas City, Operation Breakthrough is doing more than just offering help—it’s building futures. With a mission to surround the city’s most vulnerable children and families with opportunity, care, and support, this nonprofit is transforming lives from the cradle to college and career. Each day, more than 750 children walk through the doors of Operation Breakthrough (OB), many from families surviving on less...

Sports + Recreation

Children can find peace in the saddle

A horse mirrors the mood of a child and that connection is invaluable Article by Judy Goppert | Photography by Janie Jones When a young person rides a horse, that horse can have an amazing calming effect on their mood. For anxiety, the horse is a mirror to whatever we are feeling while we sit on them or are around them, so they learn to control their emotions. This is what Susan Tullock has seen through her years of teaching kids to ride at Tullock Performance Horses.  The benefits are far...

Sports + Recreation

Passion fuels this Martial Arts master’s soul.

Benefits of this sport are limitless Article by Judy Goppert | Photography by Janie Jones A fourth-degree blackbelt, Master David Popper has the experience under his belt so to speak to share his love and knowledge through teaching, coaching and mentoring students of all ages. He and his wife, Andrea, own Martial Arts Institute North Overland Park. Their path allowed them to follow their dream, and they are now living it.  “My wife and I were corporate event planners for years when we...

Life + Culture

Sit. Stay. Succeed.

Article by Lauren Powers | Photography by Janie Jones For many pet owners in Johnson County, their dog is more than just a companion; they're family. And just like any family member, our dogs deserve the right tools, structure, and support to thrive. That’s exactly what Zoom Room Dog Training delivers. A modern, upbeat training experience that goes far beyond basic obedience.   At its core, Zoom Room offers a wide range of training services tailored to meet the needs of every dog, no matter...

Local Services

Foster Light

Article by Alicia Holecek | Photography by Janie Jones Most days, Katie Welch juggles swim meets, tutoring sessions and dinner at a crowded kitchen  table. But amid the noise of family life, she’s quietly building something powerful. Three years  ago, Katie launched Foster Light, a nonprofit that offers behind-the-scenes support to foster  families across Kansas City.  Welch, a former inner-city art teacher and now mother to six, knows firsthand the emotional  chaos and beauty of foster...

Entertainment

MALEK AZRAEL & THE VIBEZ

Article by Allison Swan | Photography by Janie Jones If you’ve been out and about catching live music in Kansas City lately, chances are you’ve heard the name MALEK AZRAEL & THE VIBEZ. Whether you caught their electric set at Boulevardia or streamed their newest release Feels Like..., this genre-blending band is turning heads. Fronted by MALEK AZRAEL, a singer, songwriter, and producer with deep roots in the Midwest, the group is making waves with a sound that slips between indie rock, R&B...

Travel

Where the Bay Meets Bliss

Discover Luxury and Family-Focused Relaxation at Loews Coronado Bay Resort Article by Angela Broockerd Perched gracefully on a private peninsula, surrounded by the waters of the San Diego Bay, Loews Coronado Bay Resort offers more than a vacation — it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in a world where coastal serenity meets refined comfort. Just minutes from the heart of downtown San Diego and the charming village of Coronado, the resort strikes a harmonious balance between easy elegance...

Travel

Visit Council Grove

A Weekend Getaway Where History and Nature Converge Article and Photography by Nestled in the heart of the Flint Hills, Council Grove is a charming town that offers more than just a place to relax but offers a journey back in time. A weekend in Council Grove is not just an escape from the everyday but an immersion into the stories, landscapes, and traditions that have shaped the American frontier. Council Grove’s name itself is a nod to its historical roots. In 1825, under the shade of what...

Food + Beverage

Slow Rise

Article by Allison Swan | Photography by Jessica Dunkel Slow Rise is winning hearts and taste buds with its small-batch sourdough doughnuts that are as thoughtful as they are delicious. Based in Lawrence, Slow Rise was founded by Jessica Dunkel, a food scientist. “I've always worked in food, but on the science side as a food scientist, not a baker--but I guess baking is also science,” says Dunkel. “Baking started out as a hobby, but over time, I became a little obsessed with doughnuts. I just...

Life + Culture

The Butterfly Pods

Where Off-Grid Living Meets Luxurious Sustainability Article by Lauren Powers Located just one hour south, nestled among towering oaks and wildflowers, something quietly revolutionary is unfolding in Linn County, Kansas. It’s called the Butterfly Pods, and while it may look like a serene lakeside retreat on the surface, it’s also a cutting-edge prototype for sustainable luxury living. A place where guests can unplug without sacrificing comfort, and reconnect with nature while treading lightly...