Hi, I’m Jen. And I’m really glad you’re here.
I’m a Lee’s Summit resident, mom, dog mom, and the person behind your Sunday morning inbox. The Lee’s Summit Lowdown is a weekly newsletter covering everything worth knowing in LS, from new restaurants opening on Douglas to city council meetings that turn into something straight out of a reality show.
If you know about Dr. Bean and the Ring doorbell transcript, you know exactly what I mean.
How This Started
When I first started writing the Lowdown, I wasn’t sure anyone would read it. I remember sitting at my kitchen table, laptop open, wondering if I had anything worth sharing. The idea of sending something to the whole community felt equal parts exciting and terrifying.
The first few editions went out. I waited.
Then, slowly, people started responding. They told me about their favorite spots. They shared photos from events. They asked questions. And every reply made me feel more sure that this was worth doing.
Now, putting together the Lowdown every Saturday is the highlight of my week. Not because I love staring at a screen, but because I love this city and the people in it. This is my way of showing up for both.
What the Lowdown Covers
Every week, you’ll find:
📅 Events — what’s happening around Lee’s Summit, from free concerts to festivals to ribbon cuttings
🍽️ Food & Business — new spots opening, local deals, and places worth your Saturday night
🏛️ City & School Board — the decisions being made at the local level that actually affect your life
🎶 Live Music — a running weekly lineup of where to catch live local talent
💬 Jen’s Take — because sometimes a tick crawls on your leg and you need to process it publicly
It’s not just a calendar blast. It’s a conversation. And you’re invited.
A Few Things About Me
I’ve lived in Lee’s Summit for 14 years. I love my caffeine and sunshine. I did a full-weekend tick inspection on my dogs after spotting a Lone Star tick and briefly considered relocating to the Arctic. I intended to watch a city council meeting for 20 minutes and stayed for two hours because someone started reading a Ring doorbell transcript about a man named Dr. Bean.
I have strong feelings about local BBQ, a deep love for this community, and for the month of May I feel like a celebrity because I have a cocktail named after me at The Pink Elephant. It’s a dairy-free espresso martini called The Foley, and it sounds like a perfect Tuesday evening.
I’m not a journalist. I’m not a marketer. I’m a neighbor who pays attention and writes it down.
Why I Do This
When I moved to Lee’s Summit, I didn’t know what to expect. Over time, I started showing up, to events, to downtown, to the farmers market. The more I showed up, the more I realized this city is special. And the people in it are good.
The Lowdown is my way of making sure everyone feels that, whether you’ve lived here for 30 years or just moved in last month.
Every time someone tells me they tried a new spot because of something they read here, that’s the reason. It’s not just about events or news. It’s about feeling connected to where you live.
And I’m genuinely grateful you’re part of it.
Get the Lowdown Every Sunday
It’s free. It takes 10 seconds. And it lands in your inbox every Sunday morning before you’ve finished your coffee.
Have a story tip, a local business update, or just want to say hi? Hit reply on any newsletter or reach out through the contact page.
— Jen
Lee’s Summit Lowdown
