Life + Culture

A Community Built for Every Ability

Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Provided On 64 acres in Olathe, a visionary development is taking shape that promises to redefine what inclusion looks like in the Midwest. At the center of it all is Michael’s Wonder World, an ultra-inclusive, all abilities theme park designed so that all people, including children and adults with special needs can experience the joy of play without barriers. Surrounding it will be a state-of-the-art sports arena, an accessible hotel, restaurants...

Home + Design

Window Refresh

This Longtime Family-Owned Business Can Help Owners Make Choices To Fit Their Home Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Sabuhi Novruzov One of the easiest ways to refresh a room's look is to update the window treatments. New blinds, shutters, or draperies can adjust the lighting in the space and emphasize the decor already in place. This is a high-impact renovation with options that can be easily tailored to your budget.  Budget Blinds of Overland Park/Leawood is a great place to start...

Life + Culture

Reinvention at the Table

Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Janie Jones Reinvention at the Table At some point in midlife, many people begin asking quiet but powerful questions. Is this still the life I want? What would it look like to follow the things that truly light me up? For Lauren Beeman, those questions did not arrive gently. They came all at once, in a season of profound loss and reflection that ultimately led her to redefine her career and her sense of purpose. For 25 years, Beeman worked at...

Food + Beverage

From Drastic Measures to Wild Child

Where Cocktails Meet Curiosity Photography by Janie Jones In downtown Shawnee, Kansas, two cocktail bars sit side by side, each with its own personality but sharing the same creative spirit. Behind both is Jay Sanders, an award winning mixologist whose approach to drinks is equal parts craft, curiosity, and hospitality. Sanders opened Drastic Measures in 2019 after leaving the acclaimed Kansas City bar Manifesto. At the time, he and his partners were simply looking for a place of their own...

Entertainment

Around Town

April Article and Photography by Fiesta KC – Cinco de Mayo Celebration Date & Time: May 1–3, 2026 | Fri 4–9 PM, Sat 12–9 PM, Sun 12–6 PM Location: KC Wine Co Celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend at one of Johnson County’s most popular wineries. Fiesta KC brings live Latin music, margarita wine slushes, street tacos, contests and dancing to the vineyard. The lively outdoor atmosphere and scenic setting make it a perfect spring outing with friends. Website: ...

Arts + Culture

Investing in Art

Photography by Annalise Houghton Most people hang a painting because it speaks to them, not because they think it will grow in value. Art is often admired, but rarely considered an investment. Yet for those willing to approach it with both care and intention, collecting fine art can offer something few other assets can: daily enjoyment paired with long-term potential. Eva Reynolds, owner of Eva Reynolds Fine Art Gallery, has spent more than three decades guiding collectors at every stage. She...

Event Planning + Services

Stems: A Garden Soirée Blooms Earlier in 2026

Photography by Threethree Photography One of Overland Park’s most beloved spring fundraisers will arrive earlier next year . Stems: A Garden Soirée, the signature event supporting the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens and Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, will move to May in 2026, offering guests a chance to celebrate while the gardens are in full spring bloom. Organizers say the shift allows the event to better match the natural beauty of the season. Late spring brings vibrant...

Beauty

Scalp Aging

Your scalp is skin. Like the skin on your face it has an epidermis, dermis, and barrier. It has a collagen matrix that surrounds and affects every hair follicle. That means it has the same vulnerabilities as your facial and body skin--UV exposure, oxidative stress, and congestion. Did you know that your scalp ages 6 times faster than facial skin. Let that sink in. SIX TIMES FASTER. That means if you are twenty, your scalp is functionally one-hundred and twenty years old. Since the scalp is...

Home + Design

Designing with Soul

How Brasstacks Blends Character, Comfort, and Creativity Article by Allison Swan | Photography by Janie Jones There’s something special about walking into a home that feels both beautiful and completely lived in. That’s exactly what Brasstacks brings to the homes they design across the area—spaces that feel layered, personal, and thoughtfully built to last. At the center of that approach is interior designer Elaine Macek, whose calm, intentional style has helped countless homeowners find...

Home Services

Built on Trust, Grounded in Community

How Envirotech blends family values, precision, and local pride into every home they serve Article by Lauren Powers | Photography by Janie Jones Envirotech Heating and Cooling has been part of the community since 1984, but the heart of the business as it exists today took shape in 2001, when Terri and James Gallet purchased the company at just 26 years old. With James bringing hands-on HVAC experience and Terri leading operations, customer service, and team development, the goal was never...