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Sabrina & Matt Wiewel
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Category Archives: Design
Home in the Hills of Parkville
Crooked Road leads away from downtown Parkville and the Missouri River bottoms and snakes upward through tree-lined hills. A canopy of tree leaves in warm weather form a “tunnel of trees” over the road. Ten-year-old Peyton Wiewel says the scenic view “looks like Narnia when it snows.” Her parents, Sabrina and Matt, moved to their home in River Hills Estates a decade ago precisely for the natural setting of the area.
“The tree-covered lots, the hills, and the closeness to downtown Parkville reminded me of Idaho Springs, a small town in Colorado,” says Matt, who once lived in Denver. “In winter, driving through the snow and trees is a great way to decompress from work.”
Matt and Sabrina met on a blind date set up by a friend 13 years ago. After the initial sparks led to marriage, they settled in Brookside. They discovered River Hills Estates a few years later and knew they had found their true home to raise a family.
Sabrina, a vice president of general merchandising at Hallmark, grew up in the suburbs of Blue Springs. She also prefers the proximity to Parkville’s local shops and the scenic drive to the family abode.
Matt, a full-time voice actor, works from home primarily. He built a soundproof studio in a spare upstairs room. Recording equipment, a desktop computer, and editing software enable him to work for clients on the East and West Coast and overseas in New Zealand and China. Ten agents help manage and book his work, mostly non-broadcast assignments for e-learning and training.
For a personal touch, framed wall art in the room holds pieces of the Berlin Wall, rebar, and photographs from Matt’s 1984 and 1990 trips to Germany.
“I used to be stressed all the time,” says Matt of 60-hour work weeks at his former computer tech job at Cerner. The difference between his old and current creative career is day and night. “It’s not work. It’s fun.”
Matt and Sabrina strike a balance between work and home life. They take an active role with Peyton’s school curriculum and extracurricular activities such as ice skating and swimming. Their daughter started skating at four years old and still practices many hours each week for competitive events.
“I enjoy being with my friends at skating,” says Peyton, who has earned more than 300 medals during her young career. Skating has its challenges too. “I don’t like the pressure of competing or falling on the ice.”
Edward and Bella, a sibling pair of Shelties named after, you guessed it, Twilight characters, scoot about the household to keep an eye on the coming and going of their masters.
The family’s love of U2 is evident from clues around the house from an artist’s rendering of the band to a framed collection of backstage passes on the stairway wall leading to the basement. “Achtung Baby is my favorite U2 album,” Matt confirms.
“I met Bono in New York once,” Sabrina mentions fondly. “He kissed me on the cheek.”
Kiss-and-tell stories aside …
The downstairs theater features a massive television screen, a comfortable blue sectional with dark orange pillows and blankets, a fireplace, and a bar area for entertaining guests. Entertainment options besides movies include Kinect for Xbox 360 and Just Dance, the video game.
“We let our hair down here and relax,” says Sabrina.
Matt points out a purple glass vase on a shelf. “I sold my Levi jeans to a concierge in Prague and later used the money to buy the vase,” he says. Matt couldn’t declare the property when he left the country because customs authorities would have wondered where he got the currency. “So, I smuggled the vase out of Czechoslovakia in a car seat.”
A nearby doorway leads from the theater room to Peyton’s Place and the Wiewel Theater. This brightly painted pastel room is an open play space and stores costumes and props for dress up. Peyton and her friends sequester themselves in this colorful wonderland while adults solve the world’s problems.
Upstairs, a harlequin theme gives a playful flair to Peyton’s bedroom. Fanciful jesters painted on several walls pose against backdrops of lime, chiffon, and pink. Her bubblegum pink bathroom is all girl. Filled bookshelves are a tip-off to her voracious reading appetite. Peyton’s assortment of stuffed animals and dozen American Girl dolls clearly mark her territory.
Peyton also collects snow globes to remind her of family travels and adventures. Her collection numbers more than 100. With a shake of her hand, simulated snow swirls in water and evokes memories of zip-lining over the Royal Gorge, white water rafting, seeing The Lion King in New York, and visiting Mount Fuji, Japan.
“Some of my favorites memories of Japan are seeing my cousins, going up Mount Fuji, riding the bullet train, and eating ramen,” says Peyton. »»
Sabrina’s mother Sachiko Miyazaki died in 2006 and was cremated in Japan, where members of the family still live. Sabrina, an only child, visited the cemetery near the fishing village in southern Japan where the remains of her family have rested for 400 years.
She says, “When I went to Japan for her funeral, I learned so much about the culture and the ceremony for her death.”
To honor her mother, Sabrina created a shrine in a quiet sitting area at home where offerings are made in the Buddhist tradition. A 200-year-old Japanese vase, black with floral etching, and a small enclosed samurai figurine in the house are other reminders of her Japanese heritage.
On the main floor, black counter tops and a cherry finish on kitchen cabinets create a striking contrast. A ceramic trivet on the stove bears the Japanese character for happiness. A dining room outfitted in black furniture with walls painted in “China Silk” gold exudes understated elegance.
When meals are being prepared, family and guests typically convene on tall stools facing the kitchen or at a nearby table for four. The hearth room’s red upholstered furniture adds pop to the walls faux painted a greenish-gray marble.
Nearby, purple reigns in the room where a Kimball piano is parked. Soothing periwinkle walls complement hints of purple in five framed prints that Sabrina and Matt purchased at the Plaza Art Fair years ago. Dramatic curtains in a darker tint offset the neutral tone of the carpet. »»
Sabrina sought inspiration from the West Indies for the master bedroom and bath. Gold textiles and bedding, wicker baskets, treasure chests, palm trees, walls faux finished with a leather appearance, and elephant figurines round out the motif. Large bedroom windows allow afternoon light to enhance the island attitude. A framed series of Peyton’s baby photos add charm to the room.
Wall Worx in Parkville painted the faux finish in multiple rooms throughout the house. A number of furnishings and decor were sourced at Parmida Home.
The open floor plan of the Wiewel’s home is conducive to casual socializing. Thoughtful color choice and understated decor give personality to each room. Abundant seating options in the kitchen, surrounding rooms, and the theater room downstairs offer the family and occasional guests places to gravitate for relaxation and togetherness. In warm weather, gatherings and grilling take place on the sizable outdoor deck. The home is a short commute to the ice rink at Line Creek for Peyton’s skating practice and to Sabrina’s office at Hallmark.
Functionally and aesthetically, the home serves the needs of the Wiewel family as a welcome retreat in the hills of Parkville.
Posted in Brad Austin, Buzz, Design, Pete Dulin
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A Canvas for Life:
Beth Barden & Marco Pascolini
An Eclectic Northland Home with a Flair for the personal
A romantic ballad sung by Eydie Gormé emanates from speakers in the basement of Marco Pascolini and Beth Barden’s home. Barden sips on a liqueur while sitting on a green vinyl couch. Pascolini puts on a vinyl LP of jazzy bossa nova by Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes. Next, Buck Owens’ warm voice fills the room. The eclectic taste in music is matched by a highly personal sense of design in the colorful home of Barden and Pascolini.
Four years ago, the couple saw the two-bedroom, two-bath house during an estate sale. Twenty minutes later, they made a deal and placed a down payment. Located in the Evan Hills neighborhood, the house sits off North Oak Trafficway just beyond North Kansas City. Similar homes built in the late 1940s-early 1950s line the old neighborhood. The location enables a short commute to work.
Chef Beth Barden owns Succotash, a vibrant restaurant at 26th and Holmes near Hospital Hill. Her comfort food menu attracts diners from the neighborhood, art students, blue collar workers, and families. Catering jobs vary her schedule each week. Marco Pascolini, a production designer at Hallmark, plays guitar in local bands Mr. Marco’s V7, Snakebite Orphans, and Brannock Device. Because Barden and Pascolini’s schedule varies between the restaurant, catering jobs, music rehearsals, and gigs, having a low-key lifestyle in their cozy home is important. »»
“When I come home, it feels a million miles away from work,” says Barden. The house is five minutes from her restaurant. It’s close enough for emergencies and brief travel time but allows enough separation to settle into domesticity.
Barden and Pascolini quickly became attached to the house’s charming quirks. “The rooms are odd-shaped and compartmentalized. The kitchen is eight-by-eight feet. It’s like a tree house,” she says. “The kitchen won’t elevate the value of the house, but it’s functional. It’s perfect for us.”
They ripped out the carpet and paid a crew to refinish the wood floors with a dark green stain. Their creative DIY spirit guided the renovation. Pascolini and Barden remodeled the bathroom using tiles from Habitat Kansas City ReStore to cover the sink, walls, and back splash. A bright yellow kitchen sink installed recently gives the room a sunny boost. Over the years, they painted walls, fixed up the basement, and shored up the back deck where they grill and admire the wooded view.
The previous residents installed a bar in the basement. Mostly used now for parties, the bar sets the tone for a relaxed lounge replete with a well-stocked liquor cabinet, Pascolini’s stereo, and record collection. Votives, kitschy paint-by-numbers art, and pottery cluster at the base of the fireplace. A horseshoe clock keeps time on a shelf.
They find treasure and inspiration in handmade and unusual objects, attracted to the color and shape and alternate uses. Art deco and Sixties mod furniture blend with personal mementos from travel to Italy, curios from other eras, and local art. A mixed media piece by artist Nate Bosert incorporates photography of a warehouse fire, salvaged wood, and yellow back-lighting. Barden is enamored with a silkscreen by Charley Harper, an American Modernist artist best known for his highly stylized wildlife work.
Periodically, the homeowners alter the color scheme of the walls to suit their tastes. “The house has a life of its own and constantly changes,” says Barden. “We’ll see a yellow object and then buy more yellow objects. In time, we change the wall color to match. We’re not tied to a specific era or style.”
The couple also relish spending time with their pets. Marcel is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen with loads of personality. Sweet Baby Carlyle is a “boogered up” mix. “We love him,” says Barden. “We found him dumped as a sick pup and nursed him back to health.”
Not to be left out, Mr. Schminkman, a cat, is a “fat tub of lard, prolific hunter, and man about town.” “He visits people and dogs in the neighborhood,” says Barden. His counterpart is Arturo the Flipper Girl, a cat rescued as a kitten that was found frozen to a dock in winter. Clearly, the pets are a central part of the family and add to the home’s playful atmosphere.
Barden and Pascolini throw a fabulous holiday party each year for friends that includes loads of food, drink, music and conversation. “It’s the one party you throw where you see everybody at once,” says Pascolini.
“It’s a chance to be ridiculous. To use glitter, wear fancy shoes and red toenail polish. It’s an excuse to use butter and bake ridiculous amounts,” enthuses Barden. “I love the holidays.”
Barden and Pascolini maintain a distinct perspective on their lifestyle and home design. “It’s not a big box store lifestyle. You’re not going to be the same person a year from now, if you’re lucky,” she says. “You evolve and so does your aesthetic. We have specific tastes, but also like stuff that is rough around the edges.
“We’re both content living within our means,” she says. “We tweak things for our lifestyle. We’re not preparing the house for the next buyer. We genuinely value things with history and value relationships with people that had they things you acquire.”
After our visit, Barden departs to the restaurant in preparation for a spur-of-the-moment catering job. Pascolini leaves for band practice. Their life is filled with food, music, art, objects with stories and people and pets that matter. Home is not merely a piece of property that accrues value over time. For them, home is a working canvas, a sanctuary, an extension of a full life designed to serve their purposes.
Posted in Brad Austin, Buzz, Design, Pete Dulin
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A Personal Touch
FUNCTION FOLLOWS FORM IN EVERY FACET
Words: Pete Dulin
Photos: Brad Austin
Flowers: Shackelford Botanical Designs
Laura Gardner & Dennis Devoy
Working with a designer to shape the look and feel of a home’s interior can be a rewarding experience. Clients Laura Gardner and Dennis Devoy enlisted Kyle Wells Design to create a pleasing setting in the mainfloor of their Northland home in the heart of Thornhill.
Originally, Gardner and Devoy chose this 5,000-square-foot home because of its style and its Tiffany Springs location. “It’s close to the golf course, airport and zoo,” says Devoy. “We’re eight blocks from cornfields and cows. It’s a great location.”
Devoy retired after selling his telecommunications business United Private Networks. In his spare time, he hunts ducks on recreational farmland and envisions plans for a backyard pool and second garage. Gardner, a retired Park Hill High School library media specialist, and her husband playfully avoid getting under each other’s feet. A talented artist, her watercolor portrait of Dennis holding a cell phone is warm and charming. Another adorable painting of a granddaughter reflects her love of family. The rest of the world fades away when she paints, Gardner says.
After moving in, the couple wanted more spacious rooms and an update to the home’s Tuscan-style design. Seven interior arches, pillars and heavy fixtures were removed in the renovation. Natural white stone replaced a brawny faux stone fireplace. Out went carpet and tile. Now, dark-stained hardwood floors suggest the earthiness of well-trod forest paths. The sleek floor ties together the first floor rooms and counterbalances airy white and neutral tones in the expansive space. Large windows usher in maximum light. Colorful contemporary art adorns the walls.
“The house is more functional now,” says Gardner in reflection. “It’s more comfortable.”
Design Decisions
A Kyle Wells Design showhouse in the 2007 Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Home Tour caught the eye of Gardner and Devoy. After moving into Thornhill in 2008 and remodeling, they called Jan Kyle and Doug Wells to help cultivate a specific look. “We refer to it as warm contemporary,” says Kyle. “It’s sleek and airy without appearing cold.”
The designers considered their client’s tastes and also offered suggestions. “Laura loves good vintage, as well as modern pieces, and has a keen eye for quality,” says Kyle. “She and Dennis knew the look they wanted, but kept an open mind and had fun with the project.”
Kyle and Wells met the clients at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Gardner later joined them and toured the Design Center of the Americas in Florida. The clients saw what was available and even sat in furniture to test its appeal. “They appreciate a mix of new and vintage pieces, which gives the collected-over-time look we advocate,” says Wells.
The designers scoured markets and shops in Florida, acting as sharp-eyed agents for their clients. The result? Mid-century and »»
contemporary furnishings quietly add interest to the home’s clean yet striking aestheticism. Kyle elaborates, “We found several vintage pieces in Florida that worked beautifully in the project, and we incorporated other vintage pieces they already owned, such as Laura’s classically-designed green lamps in the sun room.”
Custom upholstered white Dakota Jackson chairs convene around the dining table. The white stacked stone fireplace in the living room creates a central focal point for a bold painting by Albuquerque artist Angus McPherson. Metallic round vases break up the grid of a mirrored wall. “To open up the recessed wall areas on each side of the fireplace, we mirrored them and then hung sunburst mirrors over them to reflect even more light into the living area,” Wells says.
Dual Bill Sofield white leather sofas and upholstered club chairs form a symmetrical arrangement that anchors the living room. A custom-built Lucite and glass cocktail table allows the rug below to serve as a centerpiece. “The rug by Zoë Luyendijk adds a special touch,” says Gardner. Muted blue, orange, dark brown, gray and cream form an abstract pool beneath the table. Designed by Luyendijk, the rug is hand-knotted by artisans in the Kathmandu Valley. “It’s a wonderful design too spectacular to ignore.”
A spiky Sputnik ceiling light fixture maintains its stationary Northland orbit. It resonates well with the dining room’s Deco-inspired crystal chandelier. Organic shapes of Murano glass bowls and vases add lyrical notes to the rooms.
Asian accents hint at Gardner’s travels to China and Thailand. A green Chinese dragon found in Palm Beach coolly glows with ancient fire. Two swooping gold sculptures evoke the mythic Thai Hong bird, denoting unsurpassed beauty and »»
grace. A statue guarding the master bedroom entrance resembles the famous terra cotta warriors buried in China’s Shaanxi province.
Federico Otero designed the “bubble” motif pendant light poised above the adjustable-height glass-topped table in the breakfast nook. Next door, the sun room’s palette of celery, artichoke, olive and sea green infuse tranquility into this cozy space.
Devoy’s basement office is a practical substitute for the workspace in his prior home – the dining table. Here, he relaxes in a leather chair surrounded by duck decoys and a wildlife painting. At times, he peers through a window at foraging deer in the backyard. Native woodland forms a border around a pastoral garden of flowers, grasses and exotic banana plants. Gardner spends time in her basement studio filled with art supplies and work in progress.
For Laura Gardner and Dennis Devoy, working with Kyle Wells Design was worthwhile. The stylish decor and furnishings reflect both the instinctive tastes cultivated by the homeowners as well as the inspired guidance of designers Jan Kyle and Doug Wells.
Jan Kyle
Kyle Wells Design
www.KyleWellsDesign.com
Kansas City:
4048 West 79th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66208
T- 913.945.1446
F- 800.945.4394
South Florida:
610 Clematis
Suite 631
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
T- 561.629.9496
F- 800.945.4394
Posted in Buzz, Design, Pete Dulin
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2011 Best of the Best
What does it mean to be the best?
According to Merriam-Webster, the word best is defined as excelling all others or offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction. Isn’t that what most of us strive to do each day? Well in the Northland, we have companies, restaurants, communities and people who endeavor each day to reach the pinnacle of their professions. Three qualities stand out to define the best – giving the best product possible, employing top staff and meeting the needs of the public. That seems to be the recipe for success. For more than two months, people cast their votes on Home in the Northland’s Facebook page in 28 different categories. Take a look here and see who won Best of the Best in the Northland.
BEST AUTO CARE
Gary Crossley Ford
The experts at Gary Crossley Ford are fully equipped for any service, including: oil and filter changes; scheduled maintenance; tire replacement and service; brake pad and shoe replacement; air conditioning; engine service; automatic transmission; engine cooling and cabin heating; steering and suspension; charge, start and battery service; wheel alignment; and anti-lock brakes. General Manager Todd Crossley says being trusted by the community and means everything to his family. “My father has been a part of this community his whole life, working to take care of his friends and neighbors. My brother Ryan and I spend every day doing the same thing. So to hear that all that effort has paid off is amazing.”
Crossley says, “We train all of our employees to listen more than they talk. And when they are talking it’s to confirm and clarify what the customer is saying. You can have the best equipment, the best building and the best location. None of it matters if you don’t listen to your customers.”
BEST BARBECUE
Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Smokehouse Bar-B-Que is Kansas City’s best choice for traditional, hickory-smoked barbeque that can be enjoyed in a nice, family atmosphere or can be catered or delivered for an event. Smokehouse Bar-B-Que’s pit experts have been preparing authentic barbecue. The fine meats are always prepared to the Certified Angus Beef high standards of quality and consistency. There are sandwiches such as the Smokehouse and the Gladstoner. There are platters of sliced meats and burnt ends. For those on a date, dinner for two includes a whole slab of beef or pork ribs or a sampler platter. The dinner comes with hickory-pit beans, coleslaw and fries. There are also plenty of chicken meals and three steak choices. In addition to its regular dining facilities, the banquet facilities can comfortably hold 100 people. The Zona Rosa location has two private rooms as well.
BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Corner Café
Owner and manager Jason Rule is second-generation family to lead the Corner Café. His parents Ed and Kathi Rule helped establish Riverside as a city. They took a leap into the restaurant business and opened a 40-seat café in 1983. “We really care about the ingredients we use to make the best products we can. As an example, we use 7 different types of butter and margarine. Each imparts a different flavor with our toast or hash browns. We know we aren’t the cheapest, but we really try to strike a balance with best products and best value.”
Rule says the Corner Cafe has a hometown feel. “We try to be as authentic as we can be. We want guests to be comfortable.” The other component is the employees. “We have attracted good employees who stay with us. We have long-term staff members.” Rule says the successful combination is to create the right environment with consistent and quality food. “We have regulars and groups that meet here every week; we can’t be average.” Breakfast items include omelets, waffles, pancakes and fresh bakery items including sticky buns and cinnamon rolls.
CASINO
Ameristar Casino
Sean Barnard, senior vice president and general manager for Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City says, “With the newest, hottest and most popular slots in town and a beautiful hotel, Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City offers an exceptional gaming and entertainment experience,” he says. The property includes a 140,000 square foot casino, the full-service hotel with 184 well-appointed rooms and suites; nine dining venues, live entertainment, an 18-screen movie theater, a supervised children’s entertainment complex and a video arcade. “We are thrilled to have the trust of the community,” he says.
BEST CHINESE
bo ling’s chinese cuisine
Bo Ling’s is named after its creators Richard “Bo” and Theresa “Far Ling” Ng. Their restaurants have been acknowledged repeatedly as the Best Chinese Restaurants in town and the location in Zona Rosa mirrors the high quality found at the Plaza location. The dishes are those diners know and love — prepared with the freshest, best ingredients. There are plenty of dishes with noodles, rice, vegetables and tofu. House specialties may be a tad different from other Chinese restaurants. Try the Cantonese style whole flounder, grilled salmon teriyaki, orange peel shrimp, Sichuan hot chili beef, lamb with scallions, and Beijing roasted duck. Bo Ling’s is known for its high quality cuisine and its dedication to using only the freshest, high-quality ingredients. Bo Ling’s adds a personal touch to every dish they serve.
BEST DANCE STUDIO
all about dance by katye
For more than 18 years, Katye Baker and her staff has been instructing children and adults in jazz, tap, ballet and pointe. They have added specialty classes like hip-hop, pompon, tumbling, cheer and ballroom. The studio philosophy is to encourage dancing, build self-esteem and create relationships. The school has more than 800 children and youth enrolled in classes and programs. For more information, visit the website at
www.allaboutdancebykatye.com.
BEST FITNESS CENTER
gladstone community center
The Gladstone Community Center is three years old and visitors and patrons continue to find the center the right place for their community and health needs. Community Center Administrator Justin Merkey says he promises two things: first, exceptional customer service and second, clean facilities. “We continue to add classes such a private swim lessons. There is a Mommy and Me stroller class, a parent-tot swim class, kids Zumba class and more. We are spreading our wings and meeting as many needs as we can.”
The center now has a US Masters Adult Swim Team. “We are purchasing more cardio equipment because like any gym, these pieces are well used and we can meet the requests of more patrons. We want happy visitors.” The center currently has more than 4,000 members. “Our front desk staff and lifeguards now many of them by name. They build relationships. We appreciate when they share the good things and the concerns. We can’t rest on our laurels; we have to keep moving forward.”
BEST FINE JEWELRY
meierotto midwest jewelry
For 32 years, the Meierotto family and their employees have worked hard to meet the needs and wants of Kansas Citians when it comes to fine jewelry. Whether it’s a gift or an engagement ring, Meierotto’s is known for service and selection. Vice President Ted Meierotto says six family members work for the business and work diligently and with integrity. “We work hard to provide a great experience for our customers. They appreciate that the owners are onsite and we are all establishing lasting relationships.”
Meierotto says the long-term staff members also help. “The understand the business too. They are one of those top elements to our success. They help in that consistency of good service.” The store inventory is another element. In watches alone, there are about 50 brands from high dollar Rolexes and Bulova to Seiko and Timex. Jewelry designers are well represented at Meierotto’s. Customers can find loose diamonds for custom rings, David Yurman, John Hardy, Konstantino and Pandora.
Best Happy Hour/Bar
houlihan’s
There are martinis, specialty drinks, wines and lots of choices from the bar at Houlihan’s. Happy hour includes variety. On a couple of days, it’s discounted house cocktails and domestic drafts. Other days, there is half price bottles of wine. Just call to see what the specialties are for the day. There are also select appetizers like chicken nachos and Thai chicken wings at a discounted price.
General Manager Danny Roberts says, “Our guests rock! We are proud of our bar heritage and always strive to develop fresh, trend-setting drinks, so being recognized for the Best Happy Hour and Bar is truly rewarding. Of course, we couldn’t have an energetic bar scene without our loyal guests, so a huge thank you to all who voted for Houlihan’s.”
BEST FLORIST
hy-vee
The Hy-Vee floral departments received the top votes in the Best of the Best contest for the second year. Their professional floral designers are known for giving of their time and talents. Often, shoppers rave about the service that goes well beyond what is expected, especially for weddings and receptions. Couples can find complete wedding and party service at most Hy-Vees. The departments also include assorted foliage and blooming plants, balloons and balloon arrangements, bouquets, cut flowers and gifts and fresh flowers for all occasions. The departments are designed to combine the convenience of one-stop shopping with delivery if necessary. The floral department can make arrangements for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, new babies, sympathies, thank yous and more. Liberty Store Director Jeff Eslick says it is the personal attention given to each customer that makes Hy-Vee’s floral department best. “We take that extra time and make sure customers are satisfied with their orders. We have the right number of staff so everyone gets the attention they deserve while others are working on those arrangements.”
BEST LOCAL BAND • TIE!!!
blue rock and four fried chickens and a coke
Jim Flack, lead singer and guitarist for Blue Rock, says the four band members call the Northland home. Flack, Pat Blake, Jim Clark and Greg Jameson got together about four years ago to try their collective hands at some classic rock and Blue Rock was born. The cover band performs songs by ZZ Top and George Thorogood. “We play 1970s style, blues-based classic rock,” Flack says. The band stays in the metropolitan area to perform. “We have all played in bands before and done the whole travel from gig to gig. We all have day jobs now. We love to play and we do it for fun. We are local and we play local.” Flack’s favorite song to perform is Grand Funk’s “I’m Your Captain.”
Brian West, Doug Oswald, and Jon Snow with Four Fried Chickens and a Coke shared some of the conversation about Best Local Band. The three talk about how being part of a stable band for 14 years is not easy, but appreciated by the fans. “We know there are people that are hard-core live music listeners, and some who only go see local music just a couple a times a year. We like what we do, and play often enough not to get to rusty, but also not so much that we hate what we do.”
Four Fried Chickens and a Coke also believe in giving of their time to community projects. “We play every year for the Sherwood Center Benefit at BB’s Lawnside BBQ. We’ve played for many years at the World’s Largest Office Party, which raises money for worthy causes. We’ve played many times for families raising money for people suffering from the high cost of medical treatments.” They have also played at Riverside Riverfest and Zona Rosa Summer Concert Series.
BEST LOCAL BOUTIQUE
Apricot Lane Boutique in Zona Rosa
The Zona Rosa location of Apricot Lane is a little more than a year old, but owner Robin Minder is sure that the inroads being made are lasting. “It is our most important philosophy that each person is greeted with a smile. Our customers are our top priorities.”
While there are more than 40 apparel brands in the store, the store also features fashion jewelry, handbags, and accessories which Minder says are affordable pieces for anyone’s wardrobe. “I want to offer a low-pressure shopping experience,” she says. “I think being trusted so much by the community for me and the girls that work for me is very humbling. It also gives us great pride and respect for our customers and our store. It means giving our customers and future customers the best impression when it comes to how they are treated when they come in the store and what we purchase for the store for them to want to buy. We have such a variety of fun clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories it can be hard to keep up with sometimes, but it is so worth it when you know the community loves what you are doing.”
BEST LOCAL BURGER
LC’s Hamburgers Etc.
For the second year, LC’s Hamburgers Etc. has proven that the little hamburger joint is like David, beating the Goliaths of big hamburger food chains. Owner Mark Potts says the old-fashioned style hamburger is a lost art form for most, but it is alive and well at LC’s Hamburgers Etc. “We basically are what fast food used to be 40 years ago. We cook everything to order. It’s about preparation and the quality of ingredients. The standard is to toast the buns on the griddle so they are slightly crispy and steaming. If the customers ask for grilled onions, they immediately go on the patty. It’s a great taste.” LC trained Potts. “Food doesn’t go out the window if I don’t think I would want to eat it. It was LC’s livelihood and it’s been mine for 11 years now. It’s a family-oriented place that has stood the test of time.”
BEST LOCAL PIZZA
Minsky’s
Minksy’s Pizza began in Kansas City in 1976. The pizzas are savory treats with first-rate toppings including rich real mozzarella baked to bubbling perfection. Justin Rufus, partner and vice president of marketing for Minsky’s. says the strength of the restaurant is actually two-fold. “We have had a strict adherence to suppliers and the quality products they give us. The founder was adamant about that. Those who think we could cut costs have approached us, but we have stuck by the drive to use the best. We have stuck to the original recipes as often as possible. We don’t use anything that is not made from scratch and 95 percent of our product is made in house, excluding a couple salad dressings.”
The second ingredient to the equation is long standing employees, Rufus says. “They take care of us and we take care of them. There is a lot of love that goes into the product.” The customer favorite is the Papa Minsky, a pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, roasted red peppers, the sauce, all topped with mozzarella and Romano cheeses.
BEST METEOROLOGIST
Bryan Busby
Meteorologist Bryan Busby started his job at KMBC 9 News just a few weeks after the Royals’ World Series win in 1985. In those almost 26 years, Busby has been the voice of calm for many in the literal storm, including for some of the youngest viewers. “As a kid in Cleveland, Ohio, I remember lightning striking a tree down the street. Then we ended up under a tornado watch, which is rare for Cleveland. It was that curiosity, that big weather event, that sparked the interest.” He has eight Emmys and is the 2011 American Meteorological Society TV Meteorologist of the Year.
Busby also uses his local renown to help causes near to his heart — diabetes, the MS Bike Ride and the Liberty Symphony are examples. “You have to give back to your community and if I can use my name and face to bring more attention to a cause, it’s great.” Busby has been a guest timpanist and conductor for community groups.
BEST MEN’S BARBERSHOP
Sports Clips
Sport Clips is a place where men and boys can come and get a great haircut while watching their favorite sports team on one of the six flat screen televisions. The stores are neat and the staff is experienced and friendly. The men and boys who want a “championship” haircut experience in a sports themed environment can find it at Sports Clip. The top haircut is called the MVP service and is the flagship service of Sport Clips. According to the site, the MVP begins with a precision haircut followed by an invigorating scalp massage with Tea Tree shampoo, a classic steamed towel, and finishes with a relaxing upper neck and shoulder massage. Stylists are said to have trained to be “guy smart.”
BEST MORTGAGE LENDER
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a retail mortgage lender, which provides home mortgage solutions. It offers construction and renovation financing, home buying, and refinancing solutions, as well as jumbo, adjustable-rate, and reverse mortgages. The company serves homeowners and homebuyers. A mortgage loan is a loan secured by real property and there are many companies that facilitate loans, but in the Northland and throughout the metropolitan area, Wells Fargo lends its strength. Staff members assist customers during the home-buying process gives us the opportunity to get them settled into a house they can turn into a home while reflecting on long-term life goals.
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD
Briarcliff
Development
Under the guidance of Charles Garney, chairman and chief executive officer, the Briarcliff master plan developed into a blossoming community. There are luxury single-family homes, villas, luxury condos and apartment homes. Site amenities include views of the Kansas City area and the Missouri River valley, a lake, walking trails and sculptures throughout the park — a “green” focus that is sure to appeal. For the second year, Briarcliff has been voted as Best Neighborhood. The other amenities include a shopping district.
BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT
Stroud’s
For more than 25 years, Stroud’s cooks and servers have prepared some of the has the best comfort food hands down. The fried chicken and chicken fried chicken are rated some of the best. The side dishes such as mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and cinnamon rolls. Owner Mike Donegan says Stroud’s still follows the tried and true recipes such as the pan-frying and the more laborious steps in the dishes. “In the restaurant industry, one of the hardest things to attain is consistency. We strive for that day in and day out.” On the weekends, lines are commonplace as folks drive from all over for homemade choices. “The Northland has been good to us. We have the best customers in the world. We offer the total package. The atmosphere is fun. It’s similar to Sunday dinner with the family.“
BEST PET INDULGENCE
Petsmart
According to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 million homes. For 2011, an estimated $50.84 billion will be spent on pets. It’s not only about food and veterinary care, but supplies and often these supplies are of the indulgent kind. Pet services continues to be a growing category as they become more closely modeled after those offered to people. There’s doggie daycare, training, and expert grooming. Petsmart offers these services and carries all those extras – apparel such as raincoats and shirts, bejeweled collars and leashes, fancy beds, gourmet food and carriers.
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Bixler Photography
Services include portrait, wedding, landscape, and event photography. Bixler Photography is described as photography for everyone where all of today’s candid fun photography is taken with professional results. As an example, the wedding shoots are coordinated by two photographers who continually assess the needs of clients while remaining aware of the subtle moments that occur throughout the day. For high school seniors, the photographers work with young people expressing themselves through clothes and props. The studio also handles team pictures and family photography.
BEST RADIO PERSONALITY
Teresa, Ponch and Rocket
Many folks wake up to the humor and conversation of Rocket, Teresa and Ponch, the morning show on KMXV MIX 93.3 FM. Then the folks take the trio along for the morning commute. Each Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., Rocket, Teresa and Ponch host a morning filled with laughter and music. They tackle the events of the day with family-friendly humor and a number of fun-filled features. The Rocket and Teresa Show is also a host to a number of special guests, from visiting comedians to performing artists to local personalities, and there’s always someone new popping in to visit the MIX studio.
BEST REALTOR
Reece & Nichols Kansas City – North
Reece & Nichols Realtors was formed in 1998 with the merger of two of Kansas City’s premier real estate companies, J.D. Reece Realtors and J.C. Nichols Real Estate. Today, as one company, the Reece & Nichols vision is to provide a remarkable home buying and selling experience. As the recognized real estate leader in the Kansas City area, Reece & Nichols is committed to a reliable transaction through a strong family of services including Plaza Mortgage, Kansas City Title and Reece & Nichols Insurance.
BEST SALON
Salon Oasis & Day sSpa
For 10 years, Karen Mitchell Woods and Salon Oasis & Day Spa’s staff has offered top-of-the-line services, including facials that benefit acne, aging and sinus relief, couples massages, body wraps, and hydrotherapies to name a few. Of course, don’t forget the chocolate fondue spa package. It’s a cocoa sugar scrub and a chocolate fondue mud wrap with its natural antioxidants, a Vichy shower, cocoa Shea butter application, chocolate mint pedicure, and shampoo and style.
BEST DAY SPA
Spa Tuscano
The Spa Tuscano is described as a true sanctuary from the outside world. Some of the most popular services are the 60-minute Swedish massage, the 60-minute facial, the spa pedicure and the spa manicure. The spa also offers wraps ands water therapy.
Sales & Event Manager Taylor Bolton says the team at Spa Tuscano is excited to be named top spa. “There is nothing that makes us happier than happy spa guests. Our guests’ passion and excitement about THE SPA is why we love what we do. We will continue to strive to provide every guest with an exceptional experience. Thanks to all the voters for their support!”
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Hereford House at Zona Rosa
Hereford House may be considered a Kansas City tradition and the Zona Rosa location is no exception. General Manager Doug Barnard says Hereford House has a long and loyal customer base. “As a company, we have been around since the late 1950s. We use top-of-the-line products. We buy the best and serve the best. We have a good staff and take care of our patrons. It’s an obligation to make sure our guests are happy. We want them to become repeat guests.”
Happiness can come in good deals like a Happy Hour menu with appetizers and a few sandwich and entrée selections. “Our steaks are an outstanding value. Most people understand and appreciate that value. It’s not what you can get off the shelf at the grocery store,” he says.
BEST THEATER
AMC Theatre Barrywood 24
AMC Theatres is the second largest chain in the United States. The Dubinsky Brothers (Maurice, Edward and Barney) who had been traveling the Midwest performing melodramas and tent shows founded the company in 1920. They purchased the Regent Theatre on 12th Street between Walnut and Grand in downtown Kansas City. Eventually the Dubinskys became the Durwoods. The opening of their first megaplex in 1995 also inspired AMC to install stadium seating and LoveSeat-style seating. Barrywoods 24 opened just a couple years after that. Their commitment is to guest satisfaction and the best possible out-of-home entertainment experience.
BEST TV PERSONALITY
Larry Moore
For the second year in a row, Larry Moore has been honored as Best TV Personality. Moore anchors the award-winning 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. news. A native of Missouri and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism with a master’s degree in television news, Moore has been involved in the coverage of almost every major news story that has affected the Kansas City area in the past 33 years, including the Plaza flood of 1977, the Coates House fire of 1978, the Hyatt skywalk disaster, the Republican National Convention in Kansas City, the Rep. Jerry Litton plane crash, the firefighters explosion, the massive flood of 1993, the Chiefs’ Super Bowl Championship, the Royals’ World Series Championship, and the plane crash and death of Gov. Mel Carnahan.
Moore began working at KMBC as a reporter in 1968, and rose through the ranks to become primary news anchor in 1972. Before becoming a television news reporter, Larry was editor and reporter for two Missouri daily newspapers and United Press International. The Missouri Broadcasters Association, the Kansas Broadcasters Association, the Missouri Radio and Television News Association and the Kansas City Press Club have honored Moore’s television news reporting and anchoring. “It is especially rewarding to be honored by the people we serve. Readers and viewers are our news consumers. I am tremendously appreciative that our news consumers have placed their trust in me. No honor is greater than to be trusted by the wonderful people we serve every night at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.”
Posted in Buzz, Design, Dining, Entertainment, Fashion
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Value of Family
One of the best things about living in Kansas City, and the Northland specifically, is knowing that you’re never far from getting away from it all. Drive 15 to 20 minutes in virtually any direction and you are away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Such is the luxury Sarah Hoffman, Dr. John Spertus and their children feel whenever they are home. Home being a 150-acre farm just north of Weston.
With a cheese-making operation, more than 160 sheep and a special events barn, this home is more than just a house for its inhabitants, but it’s that, too. All built and loved with a special eye toward sustainability.
Hoffman and Spertus moved here just a few years ago from their previous Brookside home. He is a researcher in the cardiology department of Saint Luke’s Hospital. She runs the family farm, cheese-making operation and special events.
Hoffman grew up a military brat, but at each stop, her family would find a place to farm.
“We grew our own food and animals,” she said. “I wanted that life for my kids.”
She was also looking for a sustainable business she could build, so when Spertus’ work brought the couple to Kansas City, the couple started looking for a place to bring her dream to life.
The couple bought the farm in 2000, but didn’t start construction on the property until 2004. The process was arduous and time-consuming. The family didn’t move in until 2006. The cheese operation opened in 2008 and in 2009, the farm-to-table and other special events got under way.
Today, the farm is a tranquil home for the family.
There are several buildings on the property. The home for the cheese-making operation is a small manufacturing outlet.
Hoffman is in charge of cheese making, so she spends a lot of time in the building. Green Dirt Farm’s cheeses are sold at a number of local farmers’ markets including those in Overland Park, Brookside, the City Market, Bad Seed and Leavenworth as well as at Whole Foods and Dean & DeLuca.
The special events barn and the family’s
home are where the real green design comes into play.
The special events barn was originally built to be a barn. Walking into it and seeing the long tables lined up for a recent farm-to-table dinner, however, it’s hard to imagine that it could be used for anything else.
The barn’s building materials, as those of the home, are recycled, salvaged pieces of wood, iron and other building material.
The family was intimately involved not just in the design of the barn and home, but of its construction.
“Salvaging wood is complicated,” Hoffman said. “We spent one whole month in 2004 de-nailing huge stacks of lumber and sorting and restacking them.”
The barn is oriented to the south to take advantage of the sun’s energy. The tables inside are salvaged wood from the farm’s tobacco barn and the décor, including the stained glass window, are all recycled.
The barn is the centerpiece of the family’s special events business that features cheese tastings and farm-to-table dining experiences.
Chefs from some of the Kansas City area’s chicest restaurants, Room 39, Blue Stem, and The Farmhouse to name just a few, have come to the farm to cook for guests using locally grown produce and meat from Green Dirt’s sheep herd.
Hoffman’s greenness extends to the way the sheep are treated and raised.
“We manage the pastures carefully,” she said. “We move the sheep about every four days.”
When the kids and their friends are finished exploring outside the farm, they are welcomed into a home built for entertaining.
The front door opens to a hallway that leads directly to the kitchen/dining room/great room.
As with the barn, the house is oriented to the south. It features radiantly heated concrete floors and walls, along with a masonry wood burning stove.
“The stove is very efficient,” Hoffman said. “It circulates the heat through the room. We build one big fire in the morning and it radiates heat for 24 hours.”
The home and the barn are also equipped with a photovoltaic system, which uses solar panels to turn sunlight into electricity. Anything the not used at the farm is returned to the grid.
Several cubby hole-like rooms ring the kitchen/dining room/great room area. One acts as Hoffman’s office. The others are meant to be quiet places where family members can get away from everyone else, but not be out of the rhythm of the home. »»
The house’s footprint is smaller than you might expect at 2,400 square feet. That, too, was by design, Hoffman said. “We wanted it to be a place where everyone could come together,” she said.
The large kitchen is a natural gathering place for the family.
Hoffman appreciates that multiple chefs can be at work on the kitchen’s floor (made with wood leftover from the cabinets) without getting in each other’s way.
And with three children and friends always looking to get away from city life, there’s always someone coming and going, enjoying the home’s design elements and their functionality.
Hoffman is a big fan of arts and crafts design and the idea of form revealing function.
The front hallway has a large collection of vases and pitchers that are as beautiful as they are useful.
The bolts and joints holding the home together are clearly visible.
“I didn’t want things covered up,” she said.
That includes the farm and outside world. All of the windows in the house are designed to offer viewers a panoramic view of the farm.
Hoffman’s love and enthusiasm for the farming life isn’t limited just her. It includes her business partner Jacqueline Smith and employee Tony Glamcevski, who handles events and summer interns.
But the farm is most decidedly a family affair.
Hoffman’s oldest daughter is in college and wants to go into farm management. She is spending the summer as an intern at the farm.
Hoffman’s 18-year-old son isn’t interested in the farming aspect, but loves to cook, so he helps with the farm-to-table dinners.
The youngest member of the family, a 12-year-old son, is the salesman in the family, Hoffman said. He’ll work the farmers markets throughout the summer.
Hoffman loves the life she and Spertus
have built.
“My kids have the draw of electronics just like other kids,” she said. “But they are always outside. They and their friends love to explore. I think that would be hard if we lived in
the suburbs.”
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