The Loop KC brings together similar yet unique minds to create genuine friendships and ignite the next generation of business leaders in Kansas City. Members of The Loop KC are required to give back to local non-profit organizations. Learn more about The Loop KC, here.   “I’m fortunate to say that I work for one of […]

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 […]

As the year wraps up and we cross our fingers that our gifts will arrive on time, I am continuing the tradition I started several years ago of sharing my top books for 2021. I hope you find something new or see that one of your favorites made my list! Fiction What Strange Paradise by […]

The members of the Crestwood Women’s Network served as the honorary co-chairmen of the 17th annual Night Out with MOCSA. Heather Bortnick and Libby Henry were the co-chairmen for the event, which was held on October 23rd at The LEX in Municipal Auditorium. Speakers, auction items, art, music, and cocktails made for a memorable occasion. […]

Lyric Opera Circle members and guests gathered at Loews Kansas City Hotel on October 25th to kick off the planning of the 2022 Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma.” The lucky attendees were treated to Italian operatic performances by Lyric Opera of Kansas City Resident Artists during the cocktail reception. Gigi Rose is serving […]

The Kansas City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is on stage this month at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, with music by the Kansas City Symphony. This year, Madeleine Mullin and Elise Pickert are both performing the role of Clara. Madeleine’s mother, Laura Mullin, and Elise’s mother, Kate Pickert, are both members of […]

The Jewel Ball Chairmen’s Coffee was held on September 30th at The Kansas City Country Club. Susie Heddens served as chairman of The Jewel Ball, which was held on November 27th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.           Read more from the December 11, 2021 issue of The Independent Photo Credit: […]

Beat the Blues 2022, a benefit for Sherwood Autism Center, will be held on January 29th at The Abbott. The evening will feature cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment, and a program. Katie Lord and Julie Steenson are serving as the co-chairmen. Proceeds will support Sherwood Autism Center’s mission to educate, equip, and empower […]

The death on August 18th of Maria Magdalena Habsburg von Lothringen, Archduchess of Austria, Baroness Holzhausen closes the chapter on the story of four members of the royal family of Romania who formed strong, though unlikely, connections to Kansas City. Magi was a member of the class of 1957 at Notre Dame de Sion. Her […]

Helen and Frank Wewers were the honorary chairmen for ARTBEAT, which was held on October 9th at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Emily Uhlmann Fehsenfeld and Damian Lair served as the co-chairmen. Two current exhibitions, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Pulse Topology and Aliza Nisenbaum: Aquí Se Puede (Here You Can), provided the inspiration for the festivities. […]

Charles Raffaele Miller resides in Dallas, Texas, with his parents, Danielle Iodice Miller and Daniel Miller. The handsome young man arrived on July 29th weighing five pounds, six ounces, and he was 18 and one-half inches long. Charlie has blue eyes and auburn hair. He is the grandson of Julie Iodice, Jerry Iodice, and Kathleen […]

Janet Nash, who careers with American Century Investments, put her love of music to work when she started volunteering with the Northeast Community Center’s Harmony Project KC in 2019. She has inventoried sheet music and assembled class folders. Janet and her husband, Dean, are the parents of three sons, Reilly, Spenser, and Riordan. All three […]

January 15th is the date for The 48th Annual Snow Ball. The event, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, will be both live at the Overland Park Convention Center and virtual. Leading up to that, supporters gathered on November 5th for the annual St. Martin of Tours Mass and Reception. Archbishop Joseph F. […]

November 5th was the date when BOTARs and Escorts gathered for a Red Kingdom Party at No Other Pub in the Power & Light District. After the BOTAR Ball festivities, casual fun was had by all as they celebrated with bowling, table tennis, shuffleboard, and other games while watching the Chiefs’ historic championship Super Bowl […]

Want it spicy? Want it mild, want it fresh, want variety? Want original? Want a personality larger than life to recommend what is best? Want true Mexican fare with four kinds of Chiles Rellenos? Ixtapa Fine Mexican Cuisine – it’s what’s for dinner when craving legit Mexican food that hasn’t been relegated to a lot […]

The Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy Sponsor Celebration and Chiefs Watch Party, hosted by AdventHealth Foundation Shawnee Mission, was held on November 7th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Tracie and Kevin Baker were the chairmen. Speakers included Michael Knecht, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission; Amy Milroy, B.E. Smith Family Center; and Laurie McCormick, AdventHealth Foundation Shawnee Mission. […]

One Park Place was the site for the Kansas City Ballet’s annual Season Launch Party. Angela and John Walker hosted the event, which was held on October 15th. Devon Carney and Jeffrey J. Bentley of Kansas City Ballet welcomed members of The Bolender Society. Afterward, everyone gathered at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts […]

Nearly 400 guests gathered at The LEX at Municipal Auditorium for Off the Wall, a benefit for Sheffield Place. Peter Sunderman and Curt Thomas were the honorary chairmen, and Missy Andeel served as the chairman. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing. Proceeds support Sheffield Place’s mission of healing and self-sufficiency for […]

The University of Central Missouri marked its sesquicentennial during Homecoming, which was held on October 22nd and 23rd. The fun featured a ribbon cutting, an endowment-signing ceremony, a dinner in honor of seven Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, a donor-appreciation breakfast, a party in the park, and even a parade with mules!       Read […]