To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org. The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of AFPKC. Julianne DeLessio is employed with Union Station Kansas City as its donor and corporate relations manager, where she works with corporate partners and sponsors, as […]

Mission Hills Country Club was the site for a Benefactor Party for Stanislav and Friends: A Benefit for Park University’s International Center for Music. Park International Center for Music student artists performed, and eastern European cuisine was served. The event was held on March 19th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Cyprienne Simchowitz […]

September 17th is the date for Johnson County Library Foundation’s 2022 Library Lets Loose event, which will be held at the newly-renovated Central Resource Library. Senia and Will Shields will serve as the honorary hosts. Partygoers will enjoy drinks, delicious fare, and music. Proceeds will support resources for lifelong learning programs at Johnson County Libraries.  […]

The Overland Park Convention Center was the site for Benedictine College’s 50th Annual Scholarship Ball on February 26th. Colleen “Cocoa” and Kevin O’Malley and Lené Westerman served as the co-chairmen. The Cross of the Order of St. Benedict was awarded to Lené Westerman and Janet and Larry Wilcox. John Holt served as the emcee. Featured […]

Debbie Brock has been a wonderful volunteer with Wayside Waifs for 10 years. She is a dog socializer, works the reception desk, and helps at the front desk in Adoptions. Debbie also trains new volunteers, helps with shy and fearful dogs, and is a foster parent to cats and dogs. Thank you, Debbie, for sharing […]

This much is undeniable – Christianne (Chris) Bohannon has a delicious sense of humor and a big heart. Everything else about this St. Louis born – but Kansas City is home – animal lover can be subjective, but the humor and the heart are self-evident. Acrylic paint and brushes are her tools, but improv could […]

February 25th was the date for HALO’s Virtual Art Auction, “Defying the Odds.” The action-packed evening featured live and silent auctions, the premiere of the HALO Documentary Short Film, Ziere, and special guest appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Bryce Dallas Howard, and more. Participants enjoyed musical performances by Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary, Blessing Offor, […]

Members of the Marsalis family have made such regular visits to Kansas City that listeners might not realize that one of the most famous, and most fabulously gifted, scions of this venerable family has yet to make a Kansas City solo debut. This month, the Bach Aria Soloists will present trumpet virtuoso Rodney Marsalis, the […]

A celebration of the remarkable pets of Our Town.  Sponsored by:                                       Featured in the April 16, 2022 issue of The Independent.  

  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hunter of Prairie Village, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison Lynn Hunter, to Zachary William Silvestri, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Silvestri of Nashville, Tennessee. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Byron Duncan of Prairie Village and the late Mr. Duncan, and […]

The Patrons’ Party for Wild About Harry, a benefit for the Truman Library Institute, was held on March 19th. Deanne Porter and Patrick Ottensmeyer, the honorary chairmen, and Tamara and David Campbell, the chairmen, were the hosts as guests gathered at Union Station Kansas City for an expedition on the Southern Belle. Clifton Truman Daniel […]

Raelynn Ann Rockwell and Mitchell Reed Briggs were united in matrimony on February 22, 2022 (yes, that’s 2/22/22) at Hotel Kansas City. The bride is the daughter of Rochelle Rockwell and Rick Rockwell, both of Des Moines, Iowa. Raelynn is the granddaughter of Rose and Richard Kettells of Des Moines, and Dorothy Rockwell of Indianola, […]