Dinosaur Show Coming to the Sprint Center

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Is that a real dinosaur at St Elizabeth’s School??

Last week, St Elizabeth’s School in Waldo had a special visitor…from a dinosaur! OK, not a real one, but very life-like! The one pictured here is a “Baby T” replica.

The Walking with Dinosaurs show is coming to the Sprint Center next month. This multi-million dollar show features 20 life sized dinosaurs who walk and roar around the stage in a performance that takes you back to what ‘life’ was like millions of years ago. These creatures are endlessly fascinating–and to see them move like they did in the old days really sparks the imagination. Operated by master puppeteers, this is a elaborate multi-media event featuring video, large stage sets, the huge dinosaurs plus original music.

The live theatrical show originated in Australia, and has toured several cities in the US and UK to favorable reviews. The performance lasts about ninety minutes, and prices start at $19.50. This is the type of stage show our Sprint Arena was built for–it’s a visually spectacular experience. Details about dates and showtimes available at www.dinosaurlive.com. I think school age kids–and their parents–would have a great time at this event. It’s that sort of show that holds your attention while giving you a history lesson as well!

Saturday’s KC Marathon Shuts Down KCMO Traffic for Several Hours

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Out of all the races that run through Kansas City MO, and most of them do, this is the one that shuts traffic down for several hours. The Kansas City Marathon happens Saturday Oct 18, starting downtown, continuing through the heart of the city south through 75th St in Waldo.

It is extremely difficult and time consuming to try and navigate through the race route. Police generally will not let vehicles through, and this causes auto back up for several blocks. Street closures begin at 7:30am and last until after 1pm.

Travelling along Main St, Wornall Road, Brookside Blvd and Ward Parkway will be virtually impossible during race hours. Don’t try to go west to Kansas as you won’t be able to cross any of these major north-south routes. This race should be moved to Sunday. So many businesses, restaurants and retail outlets loose thousands of dollars due to customers not being able to reach the destination. Having the race on Sunday would eliminate some of the losses. Or–move the race outside of the Kansas City MO limits.

More details at the race website: www.waddellandreedkansascitymarathon.org

Meyer Fest Happens This Weekend in Brookside

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Our good neighbor St Peter’s Parish is hosting the first Meyer Fest this Saturday, Oct 9, 2014 on the parish grounds at 815 E Meyer Boulevard. Everyone is welcome!

On Saturday morning, enjoy a pancake breakfast from 8:30-10:30am, along with a Bike Parade and the KidSPOT carnival. Food trucks are also available from 10:30am-12:30pm. The festival then takes a break until the evening activities…

Starting at 6, there is the Indoor Wurst Party, featuring German food and a polka band. Outside, enjoy live music at the block party with The Elders, the Fritz Hutchison Band and The Zeros.

Although Meyer Fest is a fundraiser for the parish, another purpose for this event is to bring together the various and diverse residents we have in the area and build community for those not a part of the parish. So even if you are not a church member, you are welcome to join in the fun. Bring your family, neighbors and friends!

Learn more about pricing and details at MeyerFestKC. And a special thanks to The Roasterie, who is the festival’s main sponsor.

Brookside Wine Walk Oct 2, 2014

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Don’t want to cook Thursday night? You do like to enjoy these mellow autumn evenings? Then buy a ticket to the Brookside Wine Walk, this Thursday night, from 5-10pm starting at 63rd and Brookside.

This is a benefit for Operation Breakthrough, with half of the (very reasonable) ticket prices going toward the organization. Your ticket gets you a glass of wine for $3 at participating restaurants, plus there are food specials, a drawing for gift certificates, and some shops are open late and offering discounts on purchases.

Tickets are $5 in advance (up to 3pm on Oct 2) or $10 night of the event. Get tickets at any of these restaurants:

Avenues, Charlie Hoopers, Carmen’s Café, Jalapeno’s, Michael Forbes Grill.

Thank you for supporting Brookside..and Operation Breakthrough!

2014 Waldo Fall Festival on Saturday

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Ah, September…a favorite month for outdoor festivals in Kansas City. This Saturday, Sept 20 is the 22cd Annual Waldo Fall Festival from 10am-5pm at 75th and Wornall Road.

I enjoy this event so much because it is very family friendly and neighborhood oriented. All ages have a good time here–there are so many things to do:

Live music, including a performance by Mr Stinky Feet; food trucks; dance show; KC Zoo Zoomobile; a rock wall and scavenger hunt; merchant booths; dog show and rides plus so much more.

Walk the Trolley Track Trail and wind up at the Waldo Fall Festival at 75th and Wornall on Saturday!

Wornall Road Closing Disrupts Traffic Through Brookside

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

(Updated: Although the KCMO press release stated the street closure would be as described below, the south end of the closure is actually Wornall at 63rd. Found this out while driving by–get your facts straight KCMO!)

In Brookside…today is the first day of the Wornall Road closure from 58th St south to Huntington, in conjunction with the sewer and storm water pipe installation. You’ve probably noticed the huge digging equipment along the sides of the road lately. Supposedly this section of Wornall will reopen on Tuesday Sept 23, 2014 if all work is completed.

Note the Plaza Art Fair is happening this weekend, so there will be hundreds of cars trying to access the Fair by travelling along Wornall Road–then trying to find alternate routes due to the street closure.

Also on Sunday Sept 21, Wayside Waifs is hosting the annual Strutt with Your Mutt event in Brookside. Parts of Brookside Boulevard and Oak St (north of 63rd) will be closed Sunday morning for the walk and race.

Neighbors, be prepared for these street closures and plan alternate routes for the next several days!

What’s For Lunch or Dinner? Try This New Waldo Spot

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Let’s be frank: it’s a daily, often boring chore to plan and prepare fresh and healthy meals for one person or a family of five, even if you enjoy cooking. My daughter used to work at Cosentino’s Brookside Market as a ‘utility clerk’ (she bagged groceries), watching busy, suited singles and parents with hungry kids rush in, grab whatever from the prepared food section and dash out. We want convenience!! When my family is scattered and it’s just me at 6pm–I’m fine with eating a bowl of cereal or steaming some edamame to munch on with a side of grapes.

There’s a new Waldo ‘grab and go’ spot that’s a tasty and nutritious alternative to the usual grocery store salad bar or pizza delivery. Called Can I Have A Bite?, owner Kathy Hale is preparing fresh food daily for your convenience with an emphasis on using local meat and produce. (Longtime KC residents may remember her 1990s vegetarian restaurant called The Daily Bread). But don’t think all the choices are vegetarian–what’s different here is Kathy offers four versions of her food: “real” meaning no dietary restrictions; vegan, vegetarian and paleo. Here’s a sample of the menu items when I stopped by last week: vegan lasagna (one of her more popular dishes), chicken aioli wrap, a kale-apple-almond salad , lemon lentil soup, cashew meatloaf and pizza, plus a selection of spreads and desserts. She also offers a couple of breakfast items each day and partners with Red Headed Philosopher Coffee (also local) for beverages. Note that this coffee vendor offers more than coffee, like homemade lemonade and an Iced Grasshopper drink –yummy!

Kathy Hale

Kathy wants her customers to “know the story behind your food” like she does–all of her vendors grow organic and don’t use pesticides or hormones. She created all the recipes and cooks everything herself. I asked her if she had a calorie count and nutritional info for each item. Her philosophy is not to focus on calories, but on what you are eating–and make sure it’s fresh and free of chemical additives. Still, the portion sizes are reasonable and I don’t think any item would be unreasonable in the specific calorie count.

The point here is healthy convenience–the menu changes daily, and there are always several options. The entrees are frozen so it’s easy to stop in, buy dinner and heat up at home. Breakfast and lunch items are easy to pick up prepared and ready to eat. Check the Facebook page or website for what you want and text Kathy with your order. Currently Can I Have A Bite? is open Tuesday through Friday from 6:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 7:30am-4:30pm and Sundays from 10am-2pm. It’s located at 8011 Wornall (east side), across from the Autozone. You can park right in front of the shop (easiest if you are heading north on Wornall) or turn on W. 80th Terrace for an off street spot.

Stop by and try something from Can I Have A Bite?. Spread the word to your friends who are on restricted diets. Thank you for supporting locally owned Waldo and Brookside businesses!

It’s Outdoor Festival Time in Kansas City!

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

The Labor Day weekend traditionally kicks off a month of large, annual outdoor events in Kansas City. It is amazing how many options there are — truly something for everyone, at all ages. So if you are weary of spending the weekend cooling off at the pool or chilling inside a movie theatre–read on for some good alternatives happening over the next several weeks:

KC Irish Fest, Aug 29-31 at Crown Center. This party has grown so large in just twelve years, and that is a direct result of the local Irish community and volunteers who have made this event one of KC’s best outdoor parties. Seven stages of entertainment, lots of children’s activities, a costume contest, Irish Fest Bingo and so much more. I suggest taking the Max bus to avoid parking hassles. Buy advance tickets online or at Hy-Vee.

Santa Cali Gon Days, Aug 29-Sept 1 at Independence Square. This festival is in it’s 42cd year and offers a good, old fashioned county fair atmosphere. There is a farmer’s market, lots of arts and crafts for sale, music, food–and it’s free!

The Kansas City Renaissance Festival opens August 30 and continues every weekend through October 13 in Bonner Springs. Bring the kids and enjoy the various street theatre and medieval entertainment, interaction with the characters, animal rides; browse the craft booths and of course you gotta eat a turkey leg and caramel apples! There are also special packages for purchase, such as a Pub Crawl. A great value for the price.

Two outdoor music events are happening September 6: you can rock on with local bands at the 10th Annual Crossroads Music Festival at Crossroads KC or opt for a more mellow vibe at the Prairie Village Jazz Festival, starting at 2pm at Harmon Park, 77th and Mission Road. Both have admission fees.

Now in it’s 35th year, the Westport Art Fair is Sept 5-7. I love shopping at these booths because they showcase artists from the Kansas City area and I find the art more affordable (for my budget!) than other art fairs.

The annual Fiesta Hispana happens downtown at Barney Allis Plaza Sept 12-14. You’ll find great food here, local and national musical acts and a boxing tournament!

And finally..Kansas City’s biggest outdoor Fall event (unless the Royals win the World Series this year!) is the Plaza Art Fair. It’s all here–art, music, food booths, usually perfect weather and the chance to chat with long lost friends you run into while strolling the streets.

Every weekend in September–low cost, local celebrations of interest to all ages, residents and visitors. Why not experience one you haven’t been to before–there are so many choices! Finally, a special thank you to all the volunteers and local leaders work so hard to make these parties happen. Our friendly Midwestern hospitality really shines at every event.

Neopolitan Style Pizza Comes to Waldo-Pizza Manifesto

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

I’ve been wanting to stop by this new pizza shop in Waldo, Pizza Manifesto, as it has been open a few months now. Finally ate there last week, along with my teen daughter and another (college aged) friend. It was Wednesday night, we arrived just after 6:30pm and we were the only people there during our stay. There was one guy working behind the counter. I expected to be busy during the dinner hour; perhaps it was just an off night!

Pizza Manifesto in Waldo

Pizza Manifesto is Neapolitan style pizza–very different from a more traditional place like Waldo Pizza across the street. The menu boasts “quality Naples-milled flour” and only water, yeast and sea salt are added to create the thin, chewy crust. Ordering your pie is similar to the Chipotle concept: you pick a base sauce of marinara, pesto or olive oil–and then customize your toppings from the display in front of you. There is fresh and shredded mozzarella, various meats, veggies and several cheeses. An average price for a pie with two toppings would cost $7.50–and there are a couple of specialty pizzas. Two salads are available, and a selection of gelato, plus beverages.

The pizza is baked in under two minutes, in a very hot oven–so watch that first bite, it can burn the inside of your mouth! Most ingredients are fresh and very basic and simple , as a Neapolitan pizza should be. The décor is minimalist as well–concrete floors, metal chairs, small pictures on the wall, bags of flour on display.

Daughter and friend enjoyed their selections–fresh mozzarella, chicken, arugula for the toppings. I liked my simple topping of plum tomatoes and mushrooms. I certainly felt this pizza was ‘healthier’ than a typical D’Bronx or Minsky’s slice–and they are totally different styles and flavor profiles. The pies are cut into four slices, and it’s easy to eat two and save two for lunch the next day. The service was friendly and quick. It seemed a little odd there weren’t more people in the place, and hopefully business is good overall as I understand it’s a locally owned spot. Reviews are generally very positive on Yelp! and Urban Spoon.

Pizza Manifesto is located at 505 W 75th St, just west of Wornall and is open seven days a week. Stop by and try it for yourself! Thank you for supporting locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses.

Armour Hills Home Sales Drop in June 2014

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Here at the halfway mark of the year, It’s time to check the home sales stats for Armour Hills in Brookside. In June 2014, (similar to May) we had decrease in average sales price and fewer homes are selling. Let’s look at the specifics:

In June 2014, seven homes sold with a median sales price of $228,000 and a very short 22 days on market. One home was listed at $168K and sold for $199K–the result of a bidding war between rehabbers I’m sure.

In June 2013,thirteen homes sold with a median sales price of $249,000 and 51 days on market. The lowest sales price was $180,000 and the highest was $335,000.

The shorter days on market period shows us that buyers are snapping up the updated, newer listings as soon as they hit the market. The lower average price can be explained in the lower list price of the homes for sale and falling prices for the homes that were overpriced to begin with.

Now let’s compare year-to-date figures:

For the first six months of 2014, 34 homes sold with a median price of $240,000 and 51 days on market. These are virtually the same numbers as the first five months of the year.

For the first six months of 2013, 40 homes sold with a median price of $245,000 and 76 days on the market.

Overall, inventory has been lower than last year, reflected in the fewer number of homes sold. The $5000 price drop in average price is not something I am concerned about. Overall, prices are rising in Armour Hills. Currently there are 14 homes for sale, with a median sales price of $235,000. The lowest price home is listed at $179,950 and the highest is $499,900.

Now that we are past the July 4 holiday, I expect slower sales and fewer homes listed through the end of the year.

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

Category Archives: Brookside Community News