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at 811 E. 23rd St., Suite E. The playing field is south of Lawrence, check Drop Zone's Web site, www.dropzonepaintball.com, for directions. You can shoot at your date with a paint gun that's powered by a CO2 bottle. For $25, you get your paint gun, a hopper that holds the paint on the gun, a CO2 bottle, and 100 paintballs. There are four different types of playing fields: a castle, a woods field, a speedball, and an inflatable field. Be sure to dress warm because all of these fields are outside. Tisha Newton, manager of Drop Zone Extreme Sports, says that this is a sport that anybody can participate in-coordination isn't necessary. She suggests layering your clothing and covering up every inch of skin because of the contact with paint balls. "It doesn't really hurt, but it feels like being snapped by a towel," Newton says.
If you and your date want to take a road trip to Kansas City, go chow down at the Culinary Center of Kansas City, 7917 Foster, in old Overland Park. The center offers both cooking classes and bistros. Cooking classes range from tapas parties to sushi dinners, from holiday cookies to Sicilian pizzas. The classes are given daily and usually last two and a half hours. Prices vary but are usually around $45 per class, per person. If you're enjoying an anniversary or special celebration, go to a bistro dinner at the center. Bistro dinners are a one-of-a-kind culinary events created by owner Laura O'Rourke, and CCKC chef Nancy Stark. Chefs from around the Kansas City area are invited in to demonstrate how to prepare the dinners. Go on an empty stomach because a full course meal will be served as well. You and your date will be able to participate in some of the cooking process. For those who are 21 and older, a full bar is available at the bistros as well. Bistro prices usually cost around $55. Drop in to the center on Nov. 21 and enjoy crab cakes from Café Allegro, Caesar salad from the Savoy Grill,
grilled salmon from Californos and fresh berry trifle from the Plaza III. Deana Ogg, event coordinator at the Culinary Center, says the hands-on classes such as cinnamon roll making and sushi classes are the most popular. "This is something that people of all ages can enjoy. It's also in a unique facility, the building used to be a turn of the century buggy barn," Ogg says. An evening at
the center is sure to make sparks fly between the two of you.
If cooking is a bit too domestic for your liking, put on your cowboy boots, and mosey on down to the American Royal of Kansas City. The American Royal is a not-for-profit organization that celebrates Kansas City's rich agricultural heritage. Complete with barbecue contests, rodeos and concerts, there's always something new to experience downtown at the Royal. Watch Shania Twain shake her hips as she does so well at
"Lots of young couples come down here to learn to dance. It seems to be a popular date idea."
One way to enjoy a cool, yet comfortable autumn day with a date is to observe
various animals frolic, or sleep, at the Kansas City Zoo, 6700 Zoo Dr. The zoo is located off Interstate 435 and 63rd Street in Kansas City, Mo.
the American Royal. Tickets can be purchased through both the Royal and Ticketmaster. George Guastello, President and CEO of the American Royal says that there are so many activities for college-aged students this year at the Royal. "There are so many things to do that young people have never been exposed to before. With nationally recognized horse shows and concerts, you can go wrong down here at the Royal," Guastello says.
The Kansas City Zoo offers 202 acres of scenic landscape, providing plenty of time for conversation as you take a stroll amongst the orange, red and brown leaves. There are hundreds of animals, ranging from 22 species of birds living in
—lan Buermeler, Dance Academy Instructor
the Royal Australian Ornithologists Union to a herd of African Elephants at the Okavango Elephant Sanctuary. The African exhibit boasts more than 400 animals scattered throughout the 95-acre terrace.
When you get tired of walking around the zoo, head over to the Sprint IMAX Theatre, located at the entrance. This 65-foot tall, 85-foot wide screen features 40- to 45-minute films related to wildlife excursions and human adventures in nature, reasonably priced from $7 to $12. The theater also runs Disney films and will screen The Matrix Revolutions near the end of November.
Megan Esslinger, public relations manager at the Kansas City Zoo, says the zoo provides a uniquely romantic and naturalistic setting for an autumn date. "There's nothing else like it in Kansas City," Esslinger says. "Its absolutely beautiful out here this time of year."
The Kansas City Zoo is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, year-round, closing only for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Parking is free and admission
is $7.50 for everyone older than 12. If you and your date decide to skip class and go on a Tuesday, admission is only $3.
If all else fails, there is one sure-fire way to bond with your fall date, but it might lighten the bulk of your pocketbook: shopping.
If you get tired of the Massachusetts Street shopping scene, make the drive to the nationally famous Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo. The Plaza, an area between 48th Street and Nichols Road, is 81 years old, attracts 10 million tourists annually and boasts about 180 stores covering 14 city blocks. In short, it is a shopping addict's sanctuary.
For our purposes, the Plaza provides the perfect fall date setting. With fall weather that's not too warm and not too cool, you can wander the sidewalks, window shopping and conversing the day away. The uniquely designed fountains, regarded as some of the most recognized images in Kansas City culture, are located throughout the Plaza landscape. The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain often attracts photo seekers and curious eyes with its spurts of water 30 feet into the air.
There's a store for everyone, whether you're into pricey clothes and shoes, specially made chocolate, high-tech gadgets or classy restaurants.
When you are ready for a bite to eat, you can indulge your hunger at the Cheesecake Factory, 4701 Wyandotte St., or P.F. Chang's China Bistro, 102 W. 47th St. You may have to wait awhile for a table, but Cheesecake's vast array of desserts and P.F. Chang's classic Chinese cuisine make the wait worth while.
Wherever you decide to go for your fall date, try to be creative and enjoy the autumn air. Seasonal creativity leads to an enjoyable dating experience.
-Megan Hickerson and Luke Daley, Jayplay writers, can be reached at mhickerson@kansan.com and idaley@kansan.com.
fursday, november 13. 2003
jayplay 5