Lee's Summit Town Hall

Elaine Metcalf, executive director at Pro Deo Youth Center, and Steve Arbo drop by The Vault with an update on fundraising efforts for a new building near downtown and the work they're doing to offer support to local teens from all corners of the Lee's Summit community.

The Queens of Oktoberfest return to The Vault to preview the annual festival, which takes over downtown Lee's Summit the weekend of Sept. 27. Rachel Dyer and Krissie Hutchins have chaired the Lee's Summit Chamber's Oktoberfest committee for the past several years and have all the tips and tricks for you to get the most out of this annual festival.

Josh and Lanni Edwards, owners of Downtown Lee's Summit's Calaveras and Smoke Brewing Co. restaurants drop by The Vault for this episode of the podcast. The Edwards and host Nick Parker talk about the new pop-up event happening at Calaveras — Netherworld — and dig deep into Lanni's fear of pork belly. You can check out Netherworld from now through Nov. 2.

Vanessa Hickman returns to The Vault to talk about Link 2 Lee's Summit's renewed focus on community service and shining a spotlight on our local nonprofit organizations. She and host Nick Parker talk about the coming redesigned web site and tools designed to help tell the nonprofits' stories and make connections with residents and local businesses easier. Oh, and there's a special birthday message to one of our area nonprofit heroes, too!

Local wings legend Chris Turney is back in The Vault this week to promote the popular Wings 4 Water charity event coming on September 12 at Paragon Star. Chris, who once again disappointed host Nick Parker by not bringing wings to the recording session, talks about the event's growth and his undying love for Nick's signature wing sauce. Tickets for the event can be found at wings4water.org.

LSR7 Superintendent Dr. David Buck, along with local business owner Jon Ellis, drops by The Vault to talk about the growth at Great Beginnings at Paradise Park and where the district stands as we get set to start the 2024-25 academic year. Did you know Lee's Summit was home to the state's first FFA chapter? We didn't! Tune in for this, and other fun nuggets from Ellis and Dr. Buck.

Megan Salerno and Tonee Schwartz drop by The Vault to talk about Lee's Summit Social Services' annual back-to-school store, which opens today. The store will serve more than 700 students this year, providing them with needed clothing and supplies as they head into the 2024-25 academic year. Part of the conversation includes donation needs for the store, as well as opportunities to volunteer.

Maybe the experience is the product? Seth Allen, owner of Libations & Co. and its sister "joint", the 1909 Club, returns to The Vault this week. He popped in for a return of what used to be an annual Independence Day preview episode, but this week's conversation turned to a look at his two downtown Lee's Summit businesses built on crafting a particular customer experience. Oh, and he may have finally admitted to some day giving in to Nick's dream of having his own drink on the menu at Libations. The tape don't lie!

Do your wings rule? When you whip a batch of delicious chicken wings, do the family and friends coming running? If not, are there tears of jealousy because they weren't invited. If your answer to any or all of these questions is yes, then you should think about taking part in September's annual Wings 4 Water charity event. The local nonprofit's Ryan Bryant joins host Nick Parker to talk about the event and offer a challenge to all of those area wing cooks to join the fun and help support the cause.

Downtown Days finished up this weekend and now it's time to get ready for another big event in Lee's Summit. The inaugural Lee's Summit Jazz Festival is slated to take the stage June 22 at Bridge Space in the historic downtown district. Festival founders Ben Rao and Shawn Harrel stop by the vault to talk about Lee's Summit's growing jazz scene and the eight acts gearing up for this all-day festival never before seen in Lee's Summit.