The Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown was the setting for the JDRF Dream Gala on May 4th. The Rick and Cathy Baier Foundation hosted the event, which featured a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, and Fund A Cure. This year’s event raised more than two million dollars to transform the lives […]

Shadow Glen Golf Club was the setting for Royals Charities’ 12th annual Celebrity Golf Tournament on May 13th. Proceeds benefited Royals Charities and Special Olympics KC Metro. Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals   Sluggerrr entertained the guests.   Jeff Blobaum, Alan McKeever, Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals; Pete Ciacco, and Brian Haaraoja Also featured in […]

[Editor’s note: The archives are an ideal place to find the unexpected. This article, originally published in the August 10, 1929, issue, is a reminiscence of happier days written by Clara E. Kellogg, publisher of The Independent.] While going through an old volume of The Independent recently I chanced upon a picture of the Chimney […]

The Belles of the American Royal are pleased to announce the selection of Margaret McKee Burditt as the 2019 BOTAR president. Mandy is a BOTAR, class of 1991, and was a BOTAR Page in 1978. Her leadership roles in BOTAR include recording secretary in 2006, and BOTAR Ball vice president in 2015, as well as […]

Cristen Summers and her father, Richard Hudson, have been devoted volunteers at KidsTLC since 2012. Cristen initiated bringing The Birthday Party Project to residential clients. She helps with new attendees and guests at KidsTLC fundraisers and has served as a special event committee member. Richard has been a volunteer at the KidsTLC Open Golf Tournament, […]

Webster House was the setting for The Symphony League’s Spring Luncheon on May 8th. Members celebrated the upcoming Symphony Ball, “The Firebird Ball,” 25-year members, and the extraordinary career contributions of retiring Kansas City Symphony Executive Director, Frank Byrne. Elaine Mann, president; Rita and Lamar Hunt, Jr., Ball honorary chairmen; and Mary Leonida, Ball chairman […]

The Folly Theater celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Folly Golf Classic on May 20th at Oakwood Country Club. Steve Paddock and Alex Solorio served as the co-chairmen. Golfers enjoyed a barbecue lunch before hitting the course. After the tournament, players enjoyed a silent auction, a raffle, and the scotch and cigar patio. Bob Martinez, […]

May 4th was the date for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA’s) Gala, “Generations of Revelations,” at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Mayor Sly James was honored with the Janet K. Miller Award. KCFAA’s mission is to make dance accessible to all people by presenting the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II, […]

Lake Quivira Country Club was the site for the 38th Annual Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic. The event, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on May 13th. At that time, Founder Ben Zarda announced a legacy gift that will allow the tournament to continue into its 50th year. This […]

More than 200 Ballet supporters gathered for BARRE KC’s annual Black & White Soiree on April 13th at Boulevard Brewing Company. BARRE KC is the premier organization for young adults interested in supporting the Kansas City Ballet. Proceeds from the event help fund 16 Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D.) Scholarship Schools. R.O.A.D. combines dance with […]

April 26th was the date for Phoenix Family’s 16th Annual Un*Gala, “Friday Night Fever.” More than 600 guests donned their favorite disco attire and enjoyed the groovy evening in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Karen Daniels was honored as the 2019 Distinguished Community Leader and three residents were recognized with the […]

André L. Davis’ community work started with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He became a “Big” in the program, mentoring his Little Brother and then joined the board. André is entering his sixth year as a board member (his final year) and also had served on the Diversity Task Force (a subcommittee within BBBSKC) as chairman for several […]

More than 1,000 people gathered for Wayside Waifs’ Fur Ball, “Woof 66,” on May 11th. Jill Dean and Jean Wagner were the honorary co-chairmen, and Martha and Rusty Smith and Therese and David Yost served as the co-chairmen. The sold-out event raised more than $1.4 million to help save the lives of thousands of abandoned, […]

When Chef Rob Magee opened up Q39 at the original 39th street location five years ago, barbeque lovers instantly knew there was a hot, smokin’ talent in town. Lines formed outside the restaurant, and the positive online, newspaper, and magazine reviews (Zagat!) piled up higher than five slabs of ribs. But Rob was not just […]

Ashley Renfrew is a project manager and deputy delivery manager with HNTB Corporation. She is a member of the Centurions Spring Class of 2020. Ashley serves on the projects committee and is a co-chairman of the Benchmarking Trip Task Force. Ashley has volunteered with numerous groups. Among the ones she most enjoys are HappyBottoms, Project […]

Carolyn Jemelka Price of Kansas City, Missouri, and Dr. Richard Brooke Price, Jr. of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Anna Brooke Price, to Parker Joe Patton, the son of Vicki Parker Patton and Greg Keith Patton, both of Ada, Oklahoma. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Rudolf Leon […]

April 13th was the date for KC CARE Health Center’s Bloom Air event, which was held at the Airline History Museum. James Smith, Mark Sawkin, Damian Lair, and Taylor Gozia served as the co-chairmen. Partygoers dressed in glamorous 1960’s travel attire and enjoyed cocktails from Lukas Liquors and Union Horse Distillery, and delicious fare from […]

Powell Gardens recently hosted a Plant Preview Party and Auction to kick off its upcoming season. The festive weekend also featured the Plant Sale, a Fungi & Fermentation event, and the opening of the summer exhibition, Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks. The altar of the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel overlooks a 12-acre lake and […]

April 24th was the date for the 6th Annual Welcome House Breakfast at the Overland Park Convention Center. Keynote Speaker Danny Trejo delivered a powerful message chronicling his personal triumph over drug and alcohol addiction. Proceeds support the Kansas City residential sober living recovery organization. Guests enjoyed remarks from Danny Trejo, keynote speaker.   Katie […]

Joshua C. Rowland and Andy Fromm served as co-chairmen of the Women’s Employment Network’s Annual Luncheon on April 18th. More than 1,000 guests gathered to help celebrate how WEN helps women in Kansas City become more than they thought they could be. Phyllis Collins, The Collins Network, was honored with the 2019 Beth K. Smith […]

“The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting.” Andy Warhol After what has seemed to be a never-ending winter and spring, with massive snows and torrential downpours, the heat of summer has finally started to make an appearance. The longer days bring more time for reading. As Lisa Schroeder wrote, “Books and summertime […]