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The Pageantry Of A Tragedy: Titanic Artifact Exhibition
Titanic the Artifact Exhibition at Union Station is a strange synthesis of education, historical preservation, and highly commercial entertainment. It is by turns enlightening, moving, and unapologetically gaudy.
The “edutainment” aspects of the exhibit work perfectly for kids. There is just enough flash and spectacle to keep them interested in the substance.
My 6 year old was certainly engaged. He was thrilled to touch a “real” iceberg, and stopped to read all of the ominous icy sea warnings (from ships that preceded the Titanic on that fateful night) that are projected onto the walls in huge letters.
He peered into all of the artifact cases, and was especially impressed with a glass champagne bottle that survived the carnage with its contents intact. We searched the passenger list for the person on his boarding pass (cards provided at the entrance with biographical data about actual Titanic passengers) to see if she survived.
He commented several times that “the captain should have slowed down to see the icebergs,” and asked me “why did they keep the boat going so fast?” It was a good time to introduce some new vocabulary words, like arrogance and overconfidence.
There is a fascinating section towards the end of the exhibit that has large items (pieces of an iron bench, enormous cooking pots, etc.) alongside life size photos of those items underwater, before their retrieval from the bottom of the sea.
However, the item that stirred me the most was a minimal, elegant choker - a single strand of faded silk ribbon holding a row of small diamond hoops. It was the kind of graceful, unpretentious jewelry that I would buy myself, if I was a woman of means.
The delicate simplicity of that necklace spoke to me. It conjured up images of a singular owner. Someone with pluck, style and judicious taste. Someone full of youthful dreams and possibility.
And for me, those images were cheapened by our exit through the gift shop, where a printer was churning out photos of exhibit-goers hamming it up on a garishly digitized grand staircase, with a “ghostly” captain Edward John Smith tacked into the background. Yeah, someone at Premier Exhibitions really thought that was a good idea.
TweetPupusa Paradise: El Salvadoreno.
If food is a feature of the afterlife, pupusas will delight the denizens of heaven. There is a simple perfection in the combination of gooey beans and melted cheese tucked into a pocket of fried masa.
A sweet Salvadorean friend in Los Angeles would occasionally bring us homemade pupusas. No doubt she intended them to be dinner for our entire family, but as soon as I had those warm, foil wrapped goodies in my hands, I immediately sat down and tucked into them. My husband never even had a chance.
It appears that my 6 year old son is following down the same rapacious-pupusa-eating road. During Sunday lunch at El Salvadoreno, he put away 2/3 of the pupusas that we had ordered to share.
He ate them plain and unadorned, while I buried mine in tangy slaw and salsa. I kept delving into the tall glass jar for more crunchy strips of vinegary cabbage and carrot.
The other items on El Salvadoreno’s menu look tasty and are no doubt worth a try (especially the desserts!).
I will leave that to you. I only have eyes for the pupusas.
FYI - At $2.50 each and about the size of a medium pancake, two pupusas make a very filling and economical meal.
El Salvadoreno is located at 7926 Santa Fe Drive in old downtown Overland Park, KS (across the street from Penzey’s Spices).
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Where Did You Do Restaurant Week?
Calling all KC foodies - this is your last chance to sup at some great local spots and benefit Harvesters; KC Restaurant Week 2012 ends today. There are over 125 participating restaurants with prix fixe offerings to suit everyone’s taste.
Sadly, I was only able to try one of those tempting offers, but it was a good one!
During a crazed week that revolved around planning/hosting a Harry Potter themed birthday party for 17 kids under the age of seven, lunch at Story (in the Prairie Village shops) was a wonderful adult respite. My lovely mother in law treated me, and we both dined on seared Arctic Char and butternut squash bisque.
The moist, flakey Char was served on a bed of nutty wild rice with brussels sprouts, bacon, and a hint of mustard sauce.
The soup was sweet, smooth, and perfect for dipping our glorious crusty bread in.
I would love to hear from the readers - where did you do Restaurant Week?
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Try Shai.
I didn’t discover Indian food until I was 19, when I flew the coop and landed in San Diego for college. At a grubby hole in the wall near Sports Arena, I had my first bite of warm, chewy Naan bread dipped in cool, tangy Raita. It was a revelation. I vowed to spend less time toying with navy guys and more time eating Aloo Gobi.
Kansas City has its fair share of Indian restaurants, most of them good, but indistinguishable.
I expected more of the same when we tried Chai Shai. That is, I assumed I would be eating familiar dishes done well in a dining room with lackluster decor. Instead, I entered a smartly designed, modern space and perused a small menu of surprisingly exotic choices.
My first visit was for lunch with a friend.
We were both guilty of skipping breakfast and giddily ordered an appetizer sampler to share. It came with crispy, crunchy Pakoras (a fried spinach snack made with chickpea batter), savory Samosas, and luscious slices of ripe, juicy mango peppered with spice. 
I was so enamored with Chai Shai that I dragged my husband and kids in for dinner just a week later. I had been thinking about the Masala Paneer for days, craving that sweet red sauce over fluffy rice.
After seeing a photo of the daily special (displayed on an ipad no less!), I jilted the Paneer for a first date with…something yummy that I don’t remember the name of! It was a combo meal – half Chana Masala (spicy garbanzo beans) and half a sweet Indian porridge made from Sooji (Cream of Wheat) decadently studded with golden raisins and nuts. It tasted like dessert, but I wasn’t complaining.
The kids inhaled my husband’s order of moist, tangy Achari chicken until there were only a few sad little bones left for him to gnaw on.
My 6 year old gave the light, flakey Samosas a definite thumbs up. They really are outstanding, not your typical grease laden appetizer. And the baby sucked up her half of a thick, icy mango shake. Chai Shai will certainly be seeing our hungry faces again soon.
Tip: the table in the back is perfect for families. It’s out of the way, there is a couch to lounge on, and kids can peruse the interesting grocery offerings while waiting for their food to arrive.
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A Garden In Winter. Kauffman Memorial.
A haven of serenity and silence is hiding in the midst of our urban landscape.
At The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, tranquility sits within plain sight of Troost and Taco Bell.
High stone walls shelter plantings and pathways that invite contemplative thought.
Playful bronze sculptures cast long winter shadows on carefully trimmed topiaries.
And when your frosty fingers have had enough of strolling, slip into the conservatory for a respite of warmth, color, and light.
Under the graceful glass ceiling, a resident cat has the right idea, snoozing amid lilies and poinsettias in the late afternoon sun.
And if the conservatory cat is not enough excitement, little ones will delight in seeing towering palm trees and exotic flowers flourishing in the dead of winter.
This little bit of horticultural bliss is located at 4800 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO, 64110.
The garden is open 8am to sunset year round.
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A Slam Dunk! The College Basketball Experience.
When the winter wind howls and bays like a dog at the door, you can rally your spirits and warm your bones at the College Basketball Experience. You don’t have to be a rabid sports fan to be impressed by 41,500 square feet of hoops, history and high tech interactive exhibits.
College basketball devotees will no doubt linger longer over the trivia and biography tidbits that are peppered throughout the vast facility, but a floor to ceiling photo packs a visual punch even if you don’t know which iconic player you are craning your neck to view.
At first glance, the admission price seems a bit steep: $12 for adults, $9 for kids 4-17 and seniors. However, I can tell you that everyone in our group agreed it was 100% worth it. We spent two full hours inside and would have stayed even longer if the baby hadn’t been on the verge of an acute meltdown. I was blown away by the size of the place and the sheer number of things to do.
CBE certainly exceeded my expectations (and I’ve been to other “Experience” attractions that did NOT – EMP in Seattle, I’m thinking of you!).
One of my favorite sections was the enormous open gym with racks of balls, an abundance of baskets, and bleachers for tired spouses and parents to become spectators.
My husband loved the slam dunk challenge and “Beat The Clock” timed trials (how many 3 point shots can you make in 3 minutes, etc.).
Our six year old had a blast with the Big Shot Ball.
And his baby sister had fun blasting him with it.
Another highlight was the replica ESPNU sportscaster desk where pint sized role players can see their commentary played back on an enormous screen.
In short, CBE is a very cool place with a truly unique experience to offer.
And if you are anything like the “Cameron Crazies” and “Rock Chalk Jayhawks” in my family, you’ll be off and dribbling before you can say triple-double!
Notes/Tips: The CBE entrance is inside of the Sprint Center. Special pricing on Sunday Family Packs.
http://collegebasketballexperience.com/
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S’more To Do At The Nelson. Sculpture Garden Luminary Walk.
By day, the Nelson Atkins Sculpture Garden is a marvelous place to while away an afternoon. The lush green lawn is the perfect place to spread a blanket and canoodle with your sweetie under a shady tree, or succumb to the tranquil surrounds and snooze.
You can claim one of the plentiful park benches and lose yourself in a good book, or simply roam and enjoy the world class art.
It is stunning in every season and in every light.
A standout time to visit is on the Friday after Thanksgiving, by night, when flickering candles light the pathways and the Bloch Building is shown at its luminescent best.
The yearly Luminary Walk is fun for all ages, with fire pits, smores, and plenty of magical corners in the garden to explore by candlelight.
It’s a great way to kick off your holiday merrymaking.
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Flea Frenzy: Antiquing In The West Bottoms.
I love flea markets, junk shops, and thrift stores the way that a stereotypical woman is supposed to adore shoe shopping. Even two cranky kids can’t keep me away from browsing antiques in The West Bottoms on a First Friday weekend.
Taking little ones antiquing is no picnic. My husband’s idea of shopping with the kids is rolling into Costco and confining them both to a double wide cart.
Old industrial buildings have a lot of stairs and few functioning elevators. Strollers in The Bottoms can be more trouble than they are worth.
So, I usually just strap our 18 month old into the Ergobaby and stuff her fat little fingers full of Goldfish crackers.
And a 5 year old is easily bribed by the promise of a Coke from one of the food vendors.
My son was so good today that I bought him a strawberry/banana smoothie from the CoffeeCake KC truck. They must have thought I was an appallingly bad Mom, handing my kids an iced drink when scarves and gloves were in order and the wind was blustering down alleys and rattling reedy windows in every warehouse.
The smoothie was my only purchase today. I kept my wallet safely closed, but oh the things I wanted to buy: a rustic chandelier adorned with vintage flatware, a felted scarf from a local crafter, patchwork letters made of aged tin, and a pair of sleek end tables crafted in an onsite woodshop (I sent my husband a photo of these tables & he hated them; there’s no accounting for taste!).
The kids were wowed by taxidermied beasts and holiday ornaments.
There are new vintage peddlers popping up in The Bottoms every month. I can’t wait to see what fab finds December will bring!
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Falling for October at the O.P. Arboretum.
With “Snowtober” burying the Northeast, and record highs (98 degrees!) roasting Los Angeles, I must take this opportunity to crow to my smug coastal dwelling friends: Fall is flat out fabulous in the Midwest!
The air is crisp and cool, yet flowers are still in bloom. Trees turn breathtaking shades of crimson and gold, while the grass beneath their brilliant canopy remains soft and green.
One of the best places to see fall flora is at the Overland Park Arboretum. The OPA is a compact, yet skillfully designed botanical garden surrounding a small lake in southeastern Overland Park.
All of the paths are smooth, paved and wheelchair/stroller accessible. It is a great place to take senior citizens or not-so-small children who tire easily.
The flower gardens are full of exotic blooms just bursting with vibrant color.
For extra excitement, kids can spot Koi fish in the lake and butterflies flitting from bud to blossom.
The OPA is FREE and open 7 days a week year round.
http://www.opkansas.org/Things-to-See-And-Do/Overland-Park-Arboretum-And-Botanical-Gardens
Tip: For fall splendor on a much larger scale (but $9.50 admission & 1 hour drive), see my post on Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Missouri: http://thefamilyunit.tumblr.com/post/1467390233/powell-gardens
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Get Your Arty-Farty On: Kemper At The Crossroads.
An anonymous art snob said: “It’s a enjoyable spectacle, but I’m not sure that it’s good art.” My untrained eyes respectfully disagree.
I was captivated by Jeanne Quinn’s beautiful, whimsical installations at the Kemper Crossroads. The sight of delicate porcelain vessels suspended precariously from the ceiling, saved only by their tenuous hold on steadily shrinking balloons, is powerful and dramatic.
And the radiant chandelier creation (think floating pearls and electric whale bones) draped throughout the main gallery is dazzling.
You can meet the artist for a “conversational tour” of the exhibition today, Saturday 10/8, at 2pm.
Kemper at the Crossroads: 33 West 19th Street.
Ceramic In(ter)ventions will be on display until January 2012.
http://www.kemperart.org/exhibits/current.asp
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