November 6th is the date for ArtsKC’s fifth annual Inspiration Breakfast at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Susan Gordon and J. Scott Francis are the honorary chairmen, and Kimberlee Ried is serving as the chairman.  Also featured in the August 23rd issue of The Independent Photo Credit: Tom Styrkowicz Susan Gordon and J. […]

Chuck Laue and Kevin Westrope are the co-chairmen of the Big Dawg Open, a benefit for Great Plains SPCA. The sixth annual event will be held on September 4th at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex.   Also featured in the August 9th issue of The Independent  Hank Henry posed with shelter alum Benji at last year’s […]

September 16th is the date for First Call’s Fourth Annual Celebration Evening, “A Night of Courage and Recovery with Chris Herren” at The College Basketball Experience. Lena Price and Tom Cohen are the chairmen. NBA legend Chris Herren is the featured speaker.  Also featured in the August 9th issue of The Independent  Tom Cohen and […]

Annie Hellweg is a treasured volunteer at Variety of Greater Kansas City and Young Variety. She was the co-chairman of the marketing committee for the 2014 Variety Show and co-chairman of marketing and public relations for Young Variety. Annie is the public relations coordinator at Populous, a sport and convention center architecture firm in the […]

Brent Wilson is a managing director at CBIZ and leads the non-profit practice and audit department. He is a member of the Centurions, Class of 2014. Brent and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Quin and Luke. Brent serves on the boards of Westridge Christian Church, the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Accountancy, […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri’s 27th annual Holiday Mart  will be held October 16th through the 19th at Bartle Hall. Erin Lambert and Kristen Brought are serving as the co-chairmen. Also featured in the August 9th issue of The Independent Photo Credit:  Andrea Nigh Photography Kristen Brought and Erin Lambert, co-chairmen  

The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “The Sun, The Moon and The Stars,” will be held on September 6th. Kathy and Mario Scaglia were the hosts of a recent gathering at the Sulgrave Regency where members enjoyed lunch and assembled Ball invitations.  Also featured in the August 9th issue of The Independent  Karen Hardcastle displayed the […]

Crittenton Children’s Center’s 11th annual Toast For The Children will be held on October 9th at Starlight Theatre. Ellen Hockaday will be honored for her service to Crittenton and advocacy for children. Guests will enjoy a wine tasting, hearty hors d’oeuvres and silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the event support children who are dealing […]

Lauren McCarthy is a Rising Star, Class of 2014. Lauren works in public relations for the McCarthy Auto Group. She is a proud supporter of Catholic education and sits on several boards at Avila University. Lauren was the co-chairman of Avila’s 37th Annual Steer Dinner and Auction. She is also a member of Young Variety […]

MOCSA’s 11th annual Johnson County Fall Forum will be held on October 10th at the Overland Park Marriott. Dr. Alan Heisterkamp is the featured speaker. Judy and Chuck Wells are the honorary chairmen, and Maureen Brady and Lucy McShane are serving as the co-chairmen. Also featured in the July 26th issue of The Independent Photo Credit: David […]

Dustin “Jensen” Adams is a member of the Centurions, Class of 2014. Jensen works for the Kansas City Public Schools in a newly created role as the districtwide Energy and Sustainability Manager. For the last decade, he has worked with federal, state and local government and regional energy utilities to administer innovative energy-efficiency programs. He […]

Heidi Kalin Whitehill is a wonderful asset to the Notre Dame de Sion School community. Heidi and her husband, Ethan, are the parents of two sons at the Grade School campus. Heidi was co-chairman for this year’s annual Book Fair and helped coordinate the Battle of the Books. In addition, Heidi was co-chairman of the […]

September 27th is the date for Gilda’s Club Kansas City’s Gilda’s Night with a View. Savory sweets and treats and a unique live auction will be featured. Michelle and Joshua Kurzban, who are serving as the chairmen, have both been impacted by cancer and are excited to help others in Our Town, so that no […]

Brandon Fancher is serving as the board president of the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary as well as volunteering at the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend. He has been involved in a variety of roles with Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. He is very proud to call Our Town his home. Brandon is a Rising Star, […]

Julie Randolph is honored to serve as the president of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, during the 2014-2015 year.  Holiday Mart, the League’s largest fundraiser, will be held at Bartle Hall from October 16th through the 19th. A celebration of the fifth and final year of the League’s community impact area focuses on […]

Twice a week, Dorothy Claussen and Ernestine White cook lunch for the National Parkinson Foundation Heartland’s Wellness Classes for up to 25 people each time. They also are full-time caregivers to their spouses who have Parkinson’s. Susan Varner, who has Parkinson’s and multiple system atrophy (MSA), volunteers at least once a week in the office […]

The Women’s Foundation’s 15th Annual Golf Classic will take place on August 25th at Oakwood Country Club. Valerie Coyazo and Sharon Cruz are serving as co-chairmen of this 18-hole, all-women tournament. Also featured in the July 12th issue of The Independent  Valerie Coyazo and Sharon Cruz, co-chairmen  

The Kansas City Young Matrons’ new president is Peggy Beal. Peggy has been a member of KCYM since 2004, and has held many positions including president-elect, director of administration, director of programs, treasurer, and project coordinator for the Gillis Christmas Store. KCYM’s Do You Believe in Magic? Gala will be held on January 24th at […]

Joshua Brewster grew up in Our Town and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Saint Louis University and earned an MBA from Rockhurst University. He works at Trozzolo Communications Group as account vice president. Joshua is a member of the Centurions, Class of 2014. He volunteers at St. Elizabeth School and […]

The Johnson County Community College Foundation’s 28th annual Some Enchanted Evening will be held on November 8th at the Overland Park Marriott Hotel. Gary Morsch will be honored as the Johnson Countian of the Year. Mary Birch is the chairman of the event that will feature a gourmet dinner, entertainment and dancing. Proceeds will support […]

The March of Dimes’ Signature Chefs Auction will take place on October 13th at Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Chef Jimmy Bannos, Sr. is one of eight chefs who will be featured. For 34 years, his Heaven on Seven restaurants have been some of the most popular dining destinations in Chicago. Chef Jimmy […]