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Independence, MO —
Art takes on many forms beyond the traditional paintbrush and easel or sketchbook and charcoal pencil.
Good food is an art, from its preparation to its presentation. Puppetry is an art form. Even barbering and proper hair care are artistic.
And so, in the newly designated Englewood Arts District, Mona Angel will celebrate her art form with the grand opening of A Little Bit of Hollywood this Friday in the former Englewood Plaza Barber Shop at 11027 E. Winner Road. The Third Friday Art Walk, as always, will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Look for the large, iconic cutout of Marilyn Monroe from “The Seven Year Itch” to greet you upon entering the shop. The number seven, Angel says, holds a special meaning in many aspects of her life, including how she came upon the storefront that is now hers.
Seven years ago, she entered Whenham’s Barber Shop and introduced herself to Bill Whenham, the barber who had inherited the space from his father, Leslie.
The two barbers bonded through their experiences in hair care. Whenham told Angel that he was terminally ill, but that he would continue his craft until his demise.
He closed the shop’s doors – one of the longest-running businesses in Englewood – on July 1, 2005. Two months later, he died at age 72 from complications of prostate cancer.
Angel had left her contact information with Bill’s wife, Joanne, offering her services if Bill ever needed them. Joanne called following Bill’s death and asked if Angel wanted to take over the shop.
“My timing and current circumstances would not allow that to happen,” Angel says of when Joanne had called.
Several months later, the storefront reopened as Englewood Plaza Barber Shop under Don Rizzo. It, too, would close its doors.
Sheila Orlando, owner of He’s and She’s Beauty Shop next door to the barber shop and a close friend of Angel’s, called her not too long ago to let her know that, once again, the shop was available.
“The news tugged at my heart, and I recounted my past conversation with Bill and the history of six decades of business, a business that still has value and a community to serve,” Angel says. “I could not let the tradition die.”
And so, here she is, opening her doors for traditional male barbering services by appointment or walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Women also are welcome, but they should call ahead at 816-527-3249 for an appointment.
Art takes on many forms beyond the traditional paintbrush and easel or sketchbook and charcoal pencil.
Good food is an art, from its preparation to its presentation. Puppetry is an art form. Even barbering and proper hair care are artistic.
And so, in the newly designated Englewood Arts District, Mona Angel will celebrate her art form with the grand opening of A Little Bit of Hollywood this Friday in the former Englewood Plaza Barber Shop at 11027 E. Winner Road. The Third Friday Art Walk, as always, will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Look for the large, iconic cutout of Marilyn Monroe from “The Seven Year Itch” to greet you upon entering the shop. The number seven, Angel says, holds a special meaning in many aspects of her life, including how she came upon the storefront that is now hers.
Seven years ago, she entered Whenham’s Barber Shop and introduced herself to Bill Whenham, the barber who had inherited the space from his father, Leslie.
The two barbers bonded through their experiences in hair care. Whenham told Angel that he was terminally ill, but that he would continue his craft until his demise.
He closed the shop’s doors – one of the longest-running businesses in Englewood – on July 1, 2005. Two months later, he died at age 72 from complications of prostate cancer.
Angel had left her contact information with Bill’s wife, Joanne, offering her services if Bill ever needed them. Joanne called following Bill’s death and asked if Angel wanted to take over the shop.
“My timing and current circumstances would not allow that to happen,” Angel says of when Joanne had called.
Several months later, the storefront reopened as Englewood Plaza Barber Shop under Don Rizzo. It, too, would close its doors.
Sheila Orlando, owner of He’s and She’s Beauty Shop next door to the barber shop and a close friend of Angel’s, called her not too long ago to let her know that, once again, the shop was available.
“The news tugged at my heart, and I recounted my past conversation with Bill and the history of six decades of business, a business that still has value and a community to serve,” Angel says. “I could not let the tradition die.”
And so, here she is, opening her doors for traditional male barbering services by appointment or walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Women also are welcome, but they should call ahead at 816-527-3249 for an appointment.
Many aspects of Englewood have come and gone throughout the years, but inside A Little Bit of Hollywood, images of The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and others are commonplace.
Something else also will remain the same on the door: Angel says she’ll leave “Englewood Plaza Barber Shop” painted on the entryway.
But, keep your eyes out for a change in Angel, and that’s her earrings. On Wednesday, she wore a large purple hoop in one ear and a dangling cross in the other.
It’s in memory of her mother, Mary Elizabeth, who died of Alzheimer’s disease. When Angel inherited her mother’s jewelry box, she found that Mary Elizabeth had misplaced one earring in the pairs because of her illness.
Angel chooses to see it as another expression of her individuality, of her art form.
“So, if I lose one, it doesn’t make a difference,” she says, laughing. “It’s OK to be different and to have your own style and personality.”
A BLACK CAT FINDS A FOREVER HOME
Lotus the cat now has a home.
Last week, I provided an update on the lovable 3-year-old ebony feline whose fur color may have held her back from being adopted as part of the Animal Shelter’s partnership with Daft Crafts on the Square through Mews About Town.
Daft Crafts owner Codi Nations notified me by Facebook Friday afternoon that someone had read my column Thursday and on Friday, she adopted Lotus.
Kicking the “black animal syndrome” to the curb, Daft Crafts plans to take in another black cat for another customer to adopt. Together, I hope we did our part to dispel the superstitions and myths toward all-black animals.
Perhaps the sad irony is that, as humans, we are purposely or inadvertently judging these non-judgmental creations from their outward appearances. Instead, try getting to know an animal based on its personality – or, if you must judge them from the outside, look into their clear, ever-loving eyes.
You’d be surprised.
