Education

Unlocking the Future

Students are grateful for The Blue Valley CAPS Experience Article by Jamie Segall | Photography by Janie Jones As the first Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program, Blue Valley School Districts' CAPS is going strong in its 15th year, and for good reason. This program benefits the community by providing opportunities for students, parents, professionals, and businesses. CAPS offers a real-world, immersive learning environment that prepares students for future jobs through...

Life + Culture

Thankful for the Journey

Article by Allison Swan | Photography by Janie Jones Billy Brimblecom Jr. is the CEO of Steps of Faith Foundation. Having lost his left leg to cancer in 2005, he reflects on his journey with thankfulness, often saying he wouldn’t change a thing about his experience. His trials have paved the way for him to help others facing similar challenges. With that spirit of gratitude, he has turned personal adversity into a mission of hope and mobility for others, especially through his foundation and...

Fitness

Building Relationships for Wellness

Optimal Health and Wellness Goes Above and Beyond the Conventional Medical Model Article by Linda Ditch The difference between the Optimal Health and Wellness experience and a conventional doctor's office is evident the moment you enter. The reception area is a calm, welcoming space. The facility features soothing colors, beautiful lighting, and a cascading waterfall wall. The treatment rooms are more serene than the traditional cold, sterile space. Perhaps most telling is the time spent...

Local Services

Keep a good relationship with your insurance agent!

This is the best way to keep an eye on your insurance rates Article by Judy Goppert | Photography by Bonnie Mitchell Darien Lame, Farmers Insurance, understands the ups and downs and roller coaster that the insurance industry has become ever since covid hit in 2020.   “Corporations within the industry are still trying to make adjustments needed in order to be profitable again. Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, hail storms and earthquakes have all had large negative...

Food + Beverage

Fritz’s Meats & Superior Sausage

Article by Jenny Vergara | Photography by Bonnie Mitchell Living in a city with its own regional style of barbecue, smoked meats are always on the menu in Kansas City. No one knows that better than the family that runs Fritz’s Meats & Superior Sausage in Leawood, Kansas.  Fritz and Rose Plapp first opened Kansas City’s oldest smokehouse in 1927, originally located in Midtown on 39th Street. Using old-world recipes he learned in Germany, Fritz worked hard and built a loyal following of fans who...

Entertainment

Luminary Walk Celebrates 25 Years

Experience Holiday Magic at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Photography by Andrew Rossi For 25 years, the Luminary Walk has continued to glow, not only as a symbol of holiday wonder but as a cherished community tradition.  Over the years, nearly 300,000 guests have embraced this event, building memories that span generations. Over the most recent decade, Luminary Walk has raised over $2.2 million to support the growth and preservation of the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical...

Food + Beverage

Enjoy Pure Food + Drink:

Clean Cuisine for the Busy, Balanced Life Article by Jamie Segall | Photography by Janie Jones Enjoy Pure Food + Drink, located in Mission Farms is a restaurant that centers its experience on quick, healthy options paired with thoughtful cuisine. We all know finding healthy menu items that are actually delicious can be hard to do. Enjoy Pure Food + Drink provides food, beverages, and atmosphere that tends to the whole self and provides health benefits along with flavors to savor - all with a...

Life + Culture

What's New at Park Place

Photography by Janie Jones Park Place in Leawood has four exciting new additions that are bringing fresh flavors and unique experiences to the community. Whether you’re looking for a family outing, a romantic dinner or a wellness retreat, there’s something for everyone at Park Place.  A beloved name in Kansas City’s culinary scene, Aixois brings its classic French bistro experience to Park Place. Known for its beautiful outdoor patio and intimate dining room, Aixois is perfect for any...

Food + Beverage

Discovering Tradition and Taste at Grand Coffee Company

Article by Lauren Powers | Photography by Janie Jones Nestled in the heart of Kansas City, Grand Coffee Company has quickly become a beloved staple for locals seeking a taste of Italy mixed with Midwestern charm. With its two locations, one downtown near Crown Center and off Shawnee Mission Parkway, this family-owned business offers more than just a caffeine fix—it's a testament to a rich culinary legacy that spans generations. Grand Coffee Company’s roots run deep in Kansas City's food scene...

Food + Beverage

Ground Control

Article by Jenny Vergara | Photography by Janie Jones Chef Celina Tio is going back to her fine dining roots with the opening of Ground Control, her 20-seat tasting room, created to highlight a wide variety of cocktails made from her new spirits label, ANNX Spirits Co. and located in the newly remodeled lower level of the building where Tio also operates The Belfry and Gerard’s Pool Hall at 15th and Grand Boulevard.   The bar is intimate and just quiet enough to hold a conversation. It...