Latest news with #Mahomies
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Two Kansas City-area cocktail bars mourning loss of two team members
SHAWNEE, Kan. – Two popular cocktail bars in the Kansa City metro are mourning the loss of two of their own. Simone Mele was the operating partner and co-owner of Swordfish Tom's in the Crossroads for the last several years. While Justin Burnell was a partner at Drastic Measures in Shawnee and worked as a team member at Swordfish Tom's. 'Justin Burnell and Simone Mele were undeniable forces for both progressivism and hospitality.' . 'Be kind and caring towards each other because the world won't be, and don't leave anything unspoken or unresolved with the people you care about.' Swordfish Tom's also , 'We are devastated to communicate that Swordfish Tom's will be closed for the next week, as we process the catastrophic loss of two of our own.' 15 and Mahomies helping expand access to early childhood education Mele's friend told FOX4 she had the 'kindest soul.' Burnell was described as a trustworthy and dedicated friend. 'Justin made this world better and it's on all of us to make it better in their absence,' Cate Root said. Root is from the Kansas City area but met Burnell about 20 years ago in New Orleans. She said they were working to get their master's in fine arts, Burnell was a talented writer. Root said Burnell moved to the Kansas City area in 2020. She described Burnell as brilliant, brave and compassionate — and said you could see it in the work of Drastic Measures, a two-time James Beard Award Nominee for Most Outstanding Bar. 'Justin was devoted to human rights, and I think people saw that in them everywhere,' Root said. 'I think people saw that in the compassion and warmth Justin showed, if he was just making cocktails and talking to people with curiosity and I think it's really evident in the work that's left behind.' When Root visited Kansas City, she saw how Burnell's creativity flourished in multiple forms — from the bars he helped run to writing a novel. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri 'Justin was extremely talented,' Root said. 'They were also extremely brave.' In Burnell's honor — Root started a monthly donation to Transgender Law Center. She said Burnell had donated to the civil-rights organization in the past. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
15 and Mahomies helping expand access to early childhood education
OLATHE, Kan. — The Mahomes family is once again giving back to the community through the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. Early education has become more expensive and harder to find for parents and caregivers. That's why the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation is funding scholarships for five local families in need. The scholarships will help fund an entire year of tuition for five children at the Open Minds Child Development Center in Olathe. The money is also helping to expand the System of Care Initiative's Parent U program, which provides resources to break the cycle of poverty. Student loan borrowers face abrupt 180 as GOP budget threatens to raise payments 'Being able to invest in early childhood and early learning of young children, actually meets a both short term and long-term goals and those are then related to workforce development, which in turn helps the economic base of any community,' Janice Smith said, executive director at System of Care. Leaders say only 15% of children are kindergarten ready when they enter, but that number rises closer to 70% at the end of nine months of early education. 'So much focus is on K-12, but in terms of brain development, 80% of your brain development happens before your five, so it's important that we also invest there. Now they are preparing those individuals not only to be ready for kindergarten, but to graduate from high school,' Abdul Yahaya said, co-founder of Open Minds. According to SOCI, working families in Kansas City with low-income are spending on average more than 30% of their income on childcare, far exceeding the federal affordability guideline of seven percent. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri 'The community benefits because the families are able to elevate themselves by being regular attendees at their place of employment, as well as having peace of mind at the early education center that they have the scholarship to,' Jeanette Prenger said, with '15 and the Mahomies.' Leaders say previous scholarship recipients are already showing a 30% increase in kindergarten preparedness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
