FROM LAWRENCE, WITH LOVE

While Lawrence, Kansas is likely not at the top of many travel bucket lists, occasionally, the opportunity arises to head to the heart of the Midwest and visit a place I’ve called home for my entire life. Lawrence is the home of the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University, and we’re a little blue oasis in a sea of red (politically speaking). We bleed crimson and blue and “Rock Chalk” our way through college basketball season, always chasing the elusive Marc

Last week, a group of friends from across Lawrence, Kansas gathered in the Warehouse Arts District to talk about forming a new community organization dedicated to promote more “Yes!” across Lawrence.  Yes! Lawrence! Yes! can come in many forms. . . Yes! We are unapologetic urbanists who believe in the virtues of cities. More people living in close proximity to each other can improve their lives and the lives of those far beyond city limits. Yes! We believe that affordable hou

Tomorrow evening, the City Commission of Lawrence, Kansas will discuss short term rentals in the city.  I have some very strong feelings about the subject and made sure I completed the survey the city sent out several months ago.  My perspective is not one of someone who owns a short term rental or who has any plans to have one in the future, but instead, is that of someone who has a great deal of experience using services such as Airbnb when traveling both throughout the Uni

I happened upon a Facebook post today from a longtime family friend. He posted about the East Ninth Project asking “how many homeless families would that money wasted on this project for Hipsters help?” After my expected initial confusion at this question (I definitely don’t consider myself a Hipster), I had time to reflect on some of the really positive outcomes this project will have on the community. The East Ninth Project benefits families with children. When our nephew w

In light of some recent characterizations made about “new” people running for election to the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association Board and because there isn’t a forum to let my extended neighbors know who I am and what I want to contribute to the neighborhood, I thought it might be warranted to blog about my history, my love for East Lawrence, and what I hope to contribute. First, a little bit about my history: Lawrence I have lived in Lawrence my entire life. I went to e

There are some very exciting things happening in East Lawrence, Kansas right now. Due to its proximity to Downtown Lawrence and the up-and-coming Warehouse Arts District, East Lawrence is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Douglas County and there are no signs that will be changing in the foreseeable future. Because of the desirable location, rich cultural history and deep-seeded love of our neighborhood, East Ninth Street, between Massachusetts Street and Delaware S

Today, I stopped by the new location of Curry in a Hurry on the outskirts of Downtown Lawrence.  We’ve been hearing a lot about it through the Journal World and local twitter users and Josh really wanted to try it.  I had the day off of work for a doctor’s appointment and had some errands to run, so I stopped by on my way home. The setup is like nothing I’ve seen before in a restaurant.  Sammi has a buffet-style setup where all of the curries are pre-packaged in to-go contain

Those of you from Lawrence may have noticed the new structure that now towers above the northern end of the University of Kansas campus.  The Oread hotel was recently completed and is not fully in operation.  With the opening of a new luxury hotel, comes the chance to try some new restaurants in town.  My friend Shauna and I took the opportunity while wedding planning, to visit the Bird Dog Bar in the Oread Hotel several weeks ago and we left satisfied and impressed. We didn’

Josh and I decided to try out Robert & Molly Krause’s new restaurant, Esquina on its opening night.  Esquina is located on the southwest corner of 8th & Massachusetts Street in Downtown Lawrence.  It is in the building that was occupied by Round Corner Drug Store and the Cheese & Salami Shoppe for decades. Since the Krause’s shut down their home-based restaurant in January, they have been working hard to complete the renovations and improvements to the Round Corner space and

I’m taking a break from posting my cruise re-caps today to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  I hope you’re able to spend the day with family and friends. #LFK #Lawrence #Christmas #LawrenceKS #Kansas

My husband Bryan came to appreciate asparagus late in life, at about age 30, and now he just cannot wait for the local asparagus season. For the last two years, he started asking around February if asparagus is coming soon. He’s like a little child waiting for Christmas and Santa Claus. “Is it here yet? Is it here yet?” he’ll keep asking. Even though we could be buying asparagus in December or January, store-bought asparagus tastes nothing like the local batches that start be

In a word. . . heavenly.  Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream in Downtown Lawrence has long been a favorite downtown destination of mine.  Downtown Lawrence definitely isn’t lacking ice cream shops as we have both a Ben & Jerry’s and a Cold Stone Creamery as well as another local candy shop, Penny Annie’s within about 4 blocks of Sylas & Maddy’s, but it’s definitely worth it to walk past the others and head for Sylas & Maddy’s. My favorite selection is the 5 flavor sampler.  Y

I meant to get this review up sooner than today, but it just didn’t happen.  Better late than never, right? Pachamama’s is touted to be one of the very best restaurants in Lawrence, Kansas.  It has been located in two different buildings since it was first opened in 1996.  The first location was a wonderful building on the far west side of town, but because it sat out of the sight of the public (or for some other reason) it was not the most popular restaurant in town.  Since