Life + Culture

The Gratitude Attitude

How Once Upon A Smile works to spread smiles and gratitude to Blue Springs Article by Genavieve Hudson | Photography by Provided One of the greatest gifts a person can give is a smile. To the team at Once Upon A Smile, it can represent confidence, comfort, and gratitude. While the team uses their dental expertise to improve the health of their patients, they know that there is more than one way to brighten someone’s day. In April 2024, Dr. Tiffani Uberroth became the owner of Once Upon A...

Real Estate

Coming Home

A life built on service Article by Grace Utlaut | Photography by Krier Photo For Steve Brown, service has never been limited to a uniform. It has shaped the way he leads, approaches business, and shows up for the people around him. After 24 years in the United States Air Force and 32 years serving in military and civilian Department of Defense roles, Steve now brings those same principles to his work alongside his wife, Christina, at Sage Door Realty. His inspiration to serve began in the Boy...

Health + Wellness

Thank A Veteran With Support

No one fights alone Article by Breanna Hicks | Photography by Katarina Brewer On our worst days, in moments of tragedies, who do we call on? First responders–our firefighters, police officers, paramedics. Their job is to run into traumatic situations, stay calm, and help others on their worst days. But who do first responders call on when all that trauma builds up? That’s where Exculta Health and Wellness comes in, a community wellness organization dedicated to supporting service members...

Home + Design

Scents of the Season

One process, two seasonal scents for a cozy home Article by Katarina Brewer Bring the scents of fall and winter into your home with these simmer pots. Choose the warm, spiced notes of the autumn blend or the fresh, festive scent of the winter blend. Add the ingredients to a pot, let them simmer, and fill your home with an inviting fragrance. Autumn Blend Simmer Pot Ingredients 1 apple cut in half 1 orange cut in slices 2-3 cinnamon sticks 1 Tbsp whole cloves 2-4 star anise 1...

Finance + Legal Services

Fright Night at the Probate Court

Strip away the ghosts and chainsaws, and a surprising number of horror movies are really about one thing: what happens to a person's stuff and their family after they die. Creaky inherited mansions, mysterious will readings, relatives who won't leave, secrets buried in the basement. Probate lawyers see the real-world versions of these plots every day, minus the supernatural special effects.This Halloween, let's pull a few classics off the shelf and look at the estate planning lessons hiding in...

Finance + Legal Services

Wills, Probate and Trusts

Wills, Probate and Trusts: Which is Right for You?IntroductionOne of the most important decisions in estate planning is choosing between a probate-based estate plan and a trust-based plan. This choice will significantly impact how quickly your loved ones can access your assets, how much it will cost, and how private the process will be.Yet, many people make this decision without fully understanding the implications. Some choose probate simply because they're not familiar with trusts. Others go...

Food + Beverage

Hometown Scoops

Checking out local ice cream flavors Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer No matter the season, there is always a good reason to enjoy some ice cream. From an after school snack to a celebration, or just craving a sweet treat, ice cream has a way of bringing people together. I visited three ice cream shops serving up sweet treats and unique flavors.   Main Street Sweets What started as a lighthearted joke between friends quickly turned into a cherished neighborhood destination. When...

Food + Beverage

The Ultimate Taco Tuesday Tour

An adventure through KCK’s top taquerias Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer Kansas City is known for a lot of things. At the top of the list is usually barbecue, along with jazz, hundreds of historic fountains, sports teams, and a few other traditions that make KC unique and feel like home.  But after recently hopping on the Kansas City Kansas Taco Trail Bus Tour, I think tacos deserve a spot in that conversation.   With more than 60 locally owned taquerias, restaurants and food...

Food + Beverage

Your Local Drink Stop

New drink spots keeping Blue Springs and Grain Valley refreshed Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer Everyone has their signature go-to drink. Maybe your ideal morning starts with a caffeine kick, or perhaps your post workout routine calls for a nutrient packed smoothie. Maybe you prefer unwinding over a steeped herbal tea, or catching up with friends over a fresh cocktail. No matter what you're craving, our communities are filled with unique, locally owned spots ready to craft something...

Life + Culture

Standing for Hope

Real stories. Real survivors. A community standing together. Article by Katarina Brewer | Photography by Provided This month, as you drive home, head out for dinner or take a walk around town, you might notice purple silhouettes standing throughout Blue Springs. These wooden silhouettes are not just a seasonal display, they are a community-wide effort to bring domestic violence out of the shadows for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Blue Springs Police Department and Hope House...