Tom Toro is a cartoonist and writer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review and Audubon, among others. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he now lives in KCMO with his wife, Marissa Wolf, a theatre artist who is the Director of New Works at KC Rep.

Who doesn’t like a wonderful piece of handmade ceramics? The holidays offer gift-giving choices galore, from cups and vases to ornaments and dinnerware. From late November through December, KC’s clay artists are offering shows and sales throughout the city. Read on for details.

Four years ago, Amina Marie had never entertained the idea of designing hats, but when a good friend called and asked her to make a hat for the Burning Man Festival, she embarked on a millinery career that is now a growing business serving clients worldwide. Add a dash of style to your everyday look with a hat from the Amina Marie Collection, like the wonderful charcoal fur felt “London Slouch,” (left), priced at $250.