Community Blog

OK, Hampton Woods…it’s pop quiz time on the community blog.  Let’s see who the history buffs are in the community.  Take a shot at answering the following five trivia questions.  I’ll post the answers later this week on the community Facebook page!  Good luck!

What congressional award was Dr. Mary Edwards Walker the first woman to receive?

What 20th-century conflict was dubbed the “forgotten war” despite 54,246 U.S. deaths?

What modern vehicle was invented to circumvent trench warfare?

What California city did the last Pony Express ride end in?

Who was the first U.S. president to adopt the informal version of his first name?

A new USA Today poll shows that 87% of dog owners believe that dogs are more or less intelligent than we think they are.  In comparison, 73% of non owners believe the same.

Intelligence, however, doesn’t always mean easy to train.  In an article titled Are You Smarter Than Your Dog?, expert Barbara Carvalho states:

“The most intelligent breeds often present the greatest challenges to mere mortals, like myself. It’s not that they don’t understand what’s expected, it’s just that they can figure out a better way to do it. If it matters to your canine relationship which one of you is more intelligent, don’t be fooled by a pretty face.”

What do you think, Hampton Woods?  Are your dogs more or less smarther than we think they are?  Do you have any stories to back up your opinion?  Please share!

Were you able to go on any trips with your classmates when you were a high school student?  If you did, you probably remember how much fun you had and what a great experience it was to get out and do something different.  Well, now you can help some local high school kids with the same experience.

Members of the Mill Valley High School band are looking to raise funds for a trip to Dallas next month.  On March 6 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.n., the students – with the help of their families – will hold a garage sale in the schools cafeteria.  All proceeds will go towards the bands trip to the Five Star Music Festival in Dallas where the group will play for judges and participate in a music clinic.

The Mill Valley High School band program usually plans a trip once every four years.  In 2006, the group traveled to a music festival in St. Louis.

I’ve been hitting the gym pretty regularly lately and I’ve noticed that a lot more people are coming in and joining the fitness classes that are offered.  Let’s face it, in a down economy; spending money on a personal trainer is probably not very high on most people’s priority lists.  But fitness is important no matter what your income statement looks like so it’s easy to see why a group class is an attractive option.

Two of the most popular classes I’ve seen both men and women participating in are Yoga and Pilates.  While the two are very similar ways of exercising, they have some differences.

Pilates emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness.  The method was actually invented by circus performer/professional boxer Joseph Pilates.

Yoga, a Sanskrit word for “union”, while very similar to Pilates, essentially focuses more on stretching the muscles.  Yoga also works to integrate mental and spiritual well-being with physical activity, thereby creating a union of body forces.

I suggest getting with a friend and trying out one of these classes.  They may be just what your body is looking for.  Check out Gold’s Gym at 6501 South Frontage Rd. if you’re interested.  They offer both classes throughout the week.

After working late, I went directly to my Mom’s house.  She lives in an awesome, maintenance-provided, custom home which sort of serves as a retirement community but really, seems more like a neighborhood with a pool and coffee for you in the morning.  It’s lovely and gives Mom a chance to meet her neighbors.  (Sort of like Hampton Woods but for buyers) For someone that is recently widowed after 46 years of marriage, the idea that she has met friends to go see Avatar with is fantastic.  If you want more information, visit them at www.asburyvillas.net.

Anyway, her home is so cozy.  I walked in and sat on the couch, opening my laptop to work a bit longer and Mom took off to Culvers to get us dinner.  I’m not huge on fast food, but the Culvers fish sandwich is decent enough and their custard concretes (think oreo cheesecake) are pretty amazing. 

Visiting Mom…I feel like I am sucked right back in time and I’m 10 years old again.  Mom comes in with my fish sandwich, plates it up with a side of ketchup and a cherry coke and sets me in front of the television.  How great is that?  My husband takes great care of me…but I certainly plate up my own frozen meal from the freezer.  After our Culvers, my brother and his son came to visit and we watched snowboarding and curling.  I know I am different than most, but I wish the Olympics were on year-round.  Go Team USA!  It was amazing watching Shawn White win the Gold and Lindsey Vonn embrace her husband for 30 seconds after her Gold Medal win. 

During the afternoon, my mom had purchased a small Pink Champagne cake from 3 Women and an Oven which is a boutique bakery just off 151st and Metcalf in Overland Park.  www.3womendesserts.com.  Let me just say it is one of my favorite bakeries in the state.  And as you may be able to tell from our posts, I know bakeries!  They serve baby cakes (small cupcakes), cookies, pastries, cheesecakes, bars, etc…And they are rich and delectable.  The pink champagne cake…granules of sugar get stuck to your lips…it’s fabulous.  And they are beautiful.  Swirls of chocolate and heart-shaped cakes and sparkling frosting.  For your next  baby shower, wedding shower or birthday party…or even because you deserve it…drop by Three Women and an Oven.  Delectable and each bite is so much fun.  (The atmosphere is small, pink, eclectic and lovely…)

Life doesn’t get much better than Fried Fish Sandwiches with Pink Champagne Cake with your Mom and brother while the Olympics are on.  Gotta love living life!

Tonight we will be having dinner at the house and I can’t wait to watch the Men’s figure skating showdown. 

Any thoughts on where we should visit next?  Let me know if there is anywhere that you feel would be great for a resident event!  We’ll check it out!  Shawnee and KC has so much to offer!

-Hampton Woods

I went to dinner two nights ago at Park Place, which is a small, mixed-used community attached to Town Center Plaza.  (It’s right by the AMC and the Dick’s Sporting Goods)

If you haven’t visited Park Place, it’s a must.  Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee and Kansas City in general…it’s all getting so cool.  As if Town Center wasn’t cool enough already with all of the shopping (J Crew, Banana Republic, White House/Black Market, Ann Taylor Loft, Standard) and dining (Dean and Deluca, Bristol, Houlihans, etc…), Park Place is a charming tree-lined street with it’s own baby ice skating rink, eclectic cafes, boutiques and more. 

My friends and I had dinner at Ra which is a trendy sushi joint in the eclectic ALoft Hotel.  (Try the “Sushi Dinner” which comes with salmon, yellowtail and shrimp sashimi and a california roll)

Check it out at www.ParkPlaceLeawood.com

Let me know if you guys have any good ideas of where I should go for dinner next!

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