The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s Holiday Mart will be held from October 22nd through the 25th at Bartle Hall. Committee members are busy planning the fun-filled, four day event. Shayla Hammeke and Katie Minnis are serving as the co-chairmen. Holiday Mart has raised nearly $10 million for community projects since its inception in […]

Brent Blacklock is a partner with TPP Certified Public Accountants. Brent is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. He serves on the Healthcare and Aging Task Force and the projects committee. Brent and his wife, Audrey, have two children, Grace and Hannah. Hannah Blacklock with her father, Brent Blacklock  

Janine Akers and Ryan Anderson are serving as co-chairmen of the ninth annual Stand Up for Synergy on November 7th at the Improv Comedy Club at Zona Rosa. Billy Gardell, star of the CBS television show Mike and Molly, is the featured performer. Proceeds support domestic violence prevention, shelter and support for children, women and […]

Ann Dickinson is the honorary chairman, and Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley is serving as chairman of the Kansas City Ballet’s Nutcracker Ball at Union Station Kansas City. The December 4th event will feature cocktails, dinner and dancing to the Michael Beers Band. This year’s Ball will kick off the all new Nutcracker, featuring exciting choreography, beautiful […]

The KidsTLC Open was held on July 13th at Shadow Glen Golf Club. The 13th annual event featured a whiskey tasting, hand rolled cigars and a unique Splash Shot Challenge. Devin Schuster and Kyle Tucker served as the co-chairmen. George Brett, David Rismiller, Jr., Jigger James, and Ken Lawrence Bart and Anne Putnam with Vicki […]

Courtney Elizabeth Frantz and James Zachariah Mullin were married on May 23rd at the Mill Creek Community Church. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Gilbert Bainter of Derby, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Leeland Amos Frantz of Mulvane, Kansas. Courtney is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon John Gericke of […]

FuzzyFotosKC is a photo contest featuring fuzzy, feathered and furry friends. Contestants work in creative ways to inspire friends, family, colleagues, and the animal loving public to cast a vote for their team. Each dollar counts as one vote, and all of the proceeds will support the lifesaving work of the Kansas City CARE Clinic […]

Eight-year-old Trevor Gantt loves feeding and walking his new friend, Coco. Trevor and Coco are a perfect match and go everywhere together. We know that this happy pair is enjoying the dog days of summer! Also featured in the August 8, 2015 issue of The Independent

Mr. and Mrs. James Richard Slaughter of Fairway are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Anne Manion Slaughter, to Michael Clark Hinckley, Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Clark Hinckley of Cincinnati, Ohio. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. James Langwith Manion of St. Louis, Missouri, and the late Mrs. […]

Diane Phillips and Larry McMullen served as co-chairmen of the 12th annual Under a Blue Moon Garden Party and Rare Plant Auction, “Blue Moon Over Cuba,” on June 7th at Powell Gardens. Partygoers dressed in their best Cuban attire and enjoyed delicious fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions and silent and live auctions. Peter and […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s 28th annual Holiday Mart will take place at Bartle Hall from October 22nd through the 25th. Shayla Hammeke and Katie Minnis are the co-chairmen. Proceeds help the JLKCMO to continue its legacy of giving funds and volunteer hours to Our Town. Shayla Hammeke and Katie Minnis, co-chairmen   Also […]

On June 1st, Rachel Sexton started serving as president of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri. Rachel is thrilled to be part of an organization that is developing women leaders by giving them significant volunteer opportunities. She is the chief operating officer of VPR Companies. Rachel and her husband, Brian King, have three children, […]

The second annual CASA SuperHero 5K Run/Walk, “Every Child Needs a Hero, but Abused Children Need SuperHeroes,” was held on June 14th at Corporate Woods. Patty and Mick Matthews were the honorary chairmen, and Bryan Busby served as the emcee. Paul MacCready Kids Fun Run participants were greeted by Mike Steinmetz, Miss Kansas Junior Teen […]

CAPA’s 40 year commitment to the safety and well-being of children and families in Eastern Jackson County was recently celebrated by 250 guests. Brad Speaks served as the emcee. The Dawn Beye Legacy Award was presented to the members of the Junior Service League of Independence for founding CAPA in 1975. Board President Kirk Beye […]

Francie Bergman, the daughter of Leslie Carto and Rusty Bergman, celebrated her third birthday with a classic tea party in her home. The eight guests’ tea party manners were impeccable, and they did a great job of pouring tea for one another from mini teapots. After Francie blew out her candles, the boys and girls […]

Gail Gray is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. She serves on the projects committee and the Law and Order Task Force. Gail is the vice president of operations at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. She and her husband, Robert, have a daughter, Jasmine. Also featured in the August 8, 2015 issue of The Independent   

Children’s Mercy Hospital’s fifth annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend was held June 19th and 20th. Hosts Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet, and David Koechner were joined by their celebrity friends for three special events, including a Celebrity Softball Game at Kauffman Stadium, the Big Slick Celebrity Bowl at Pinstripes and the Big […]

Jeremy Lillig feels honored to be one of The Independent’s Rising Stars of Philanthropy and finds it to be a great privilege to be able to contribute to our wonderful Town. Philanthropy is an ingrained part of his professional, civic and personal life. As managing director of the Bright Futures Fund, Jeremy helps to improve […]

October 6th is the date for the American Cancer Society’s eighth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Season Tipoff at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. Bonnie and Herb Buchbinder, Lynne and Ed Elder, Lisa Garney, and Liz and Greg Maday are the honorary co-chairmen, and Lindsey and Darcy Stewart and Jessica and Ryan Dickson are serving […]

The Kansas City Young Matrons’ new president is Barbara Eiszner. Barbara has been a member of KCYM since 1999. Founded in 1917, KCYM is beginning its 99th year. This year, the KCYM Clubhouse, which is listed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places, will be physically moved from its original Oak Street location to a […]

Judy and Jim Heeter are the honorary chairmen of the Kansas City Young Audiences’ Benefit Concert for Arts Education. The October 3rd event will be held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will feature Tony and Emmy Award-winner Kristin Chenowith, who will perform with the Kansas City Symphony in Helzberg Hall. […]