KansasCityMag_February2025

Jr. Olympian and Kearney High School

Senior Whitaker Steward swimming the butterfly

We know the heart. We’ve mapped it. Repaired and rehabbed it. We’ve strengthened, and saved it. We know the people to whom those hearts belong and celebrate the triumphs of their recovery. We know your heart, and we know there is an unstoppable human spirit at the center of it.

OUR MISSION

We love Kansas City like family. We know what makes it great, we know how it struggles, and we know its secrets. Through great storytelling, photography and design, we help our readers celebrate our city’s triumphs, tend to its faults and revel in the things that make it unique.

PUBLISHER

Dave Claflin

EDITOR

Dawnya Bartsch

ART DIRECTOR

Kevin Goodbar

FOOD EDITOR

Tyler Shane

MUSIC EDITOR

Nina Cherry

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

Gio McGlothan

ADVERTISING SALES

Angie Henshaw, Mary Beth Johnston and Bob Ulmer

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Alex Healey

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Dominique Parsow

COPY EDITOR

Kelsie Schrader

WEB COORDINATOR

Madison Russell

WRITERS

Susan Cannon, Nina Cherry, Emma Flannery, David Hodes, Sophia Lacy, John Martellaro, Ian Ritter, Tyler Shane, Joyce Smith and Hayley Veilleux

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Zach Bauman, Chuong Doan, Katie Henrichs, Tammy Karin, Samantha Levi, John Martellaro, Pilsen Photo Coop, Kelly Powell, Ian Simmons and Zach Smith

SUBSCRIPTIONS kansascitymag.com/subscribe or call (913) 469-6700 Scan here to subscribe to our newsletter and magazine.

Kansas City magazine is published monthly by KC Publishing, LLC. No part of this publication can be reprinted or reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Kansas City magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Kansas City magazine adheres to American Society of Magazine Editors guidelines, which requires a clear distinction between editorial content and paid advertising or marketing messages.

INQUIRIES

KC Publishing, LLC

605 W. 47th St., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64112 (913) 469-6700

EXPERIENCE THE COMMON THREAD OF MISSOURI.

Everywhere in Missouri, we all share a common bond. It’s the fabric of who we are, what our lives are like and the times we live in. That’s Missouri Humanities. Where you can journey with the people of our past. Or discover the visionaries and artists who still impact our communities today. A beautiful blend of events, festivals, films, podcasts and more — all ready for you to uncover at mohumanities.org

Cover Story

P.E.

Professional sports aren’t the only game in town

Hall of Champions

Meet five youth athletes getting noticed

All Work and No Play

A study reveals local youth aren’t active enough

NAIA

This organization is more than just a KC basketball tournament

62

Trending Foodies

Take a look at the KC Restaurant Association’s top food influencers

Let’s Get Physical

IT’S FEBRUARY, AND I have to admit that I am just now turning my attention to my New Year’s resolutions. I have a lot. I always do. My resolutions are not that unique—work out, eat healthy. Pretty basic. But it was when I was reading about some of the metro’s most talented young athletes in this issue that I became truly inspired to hit the gym a little harder. These kids are amazing and fun to watch.

Unfortunately, another story in this issue shines a light on the disheartening fact that KC youth aren’t getting enough physical activity. A study called The State of Play found only a dismal 20 percent of Kansas City kids are participating in

Katie

Henrichs

Graphic designer

Former Kansas City magazine art director Katie Henrichs designed this issue’s home feature and story about the Blackbird Collection. When not designing, she can be found volunteering with KC REGAP (a greyhound rescue), thrifting and working on sewing projects.

the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day. That number is below the national average of 24 percent—another depressing fact. I think we can do better. We’re a sports-loving town. Let’s take the enthusiasm we have for our sports teams and see how we can get our kids moving more.

Dawnya Bartsch EDITOR dawnya@kansascitymag.com

Contributors

David Hodes Writer and editor

Writer and editor David Hodes, whose work has appeared in both regional and national publications, has been busy for Kansas City magazine these past few months. He not only spearheaded a special edition of the magazine highlighting the accomplishments of Kansas Citians but also wrote a story about the NAIA and a feature highlighting several youth athletes.

This issue’s story showcasing the Kansas City Restaurant Association’s top food scene influencers was shot by photographer Samantha Levi. A professional photographer, Levi shoots campaigns for brands, fashion and the arts.

Samantha Levi Photographer

Experience the Ozarks this winter at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, where the beauty of the great outdoors comes alive in every season. Bundle up and explore miles of scenic trails, cascading waterfalls, and peaceful scenery, creating unforgettable memories in nature. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is proudly part of the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation.

Village Makeover

A social post about a Prairie Village redevelopment project that will turn the former Macy’s building on the corner of 71st and Mission into a Hen House grocery store and other shops got mixed reviews.

How disappointing, you’ll lose the charm of the village and replace it with a modern retail space that looks just as bland and boring as every other one in the country.

– Riley Mortensen

Oh, yay! It will look exactly like every other place that looks exactly like that.

– Evan Meyer

I can’t wait to see how this project transforms the area — great news for both residents and visitors alike.

– Christina Hill

This looks nothing like the charm of the PV shops. Somebody redesign this, please!

– Ryan Manes

There goes the neighborhood!

– Melanie Branham

Numbers From This Issue

The number of college football players that died from injuries while playing the game in 1904, prompting safety regulations.

Page 57 20

The percentage of Kansas City kids who are meeting the nation’s goal of 60 minutes of play per day.

Page 48

42

The number of book titles listed on the downtown Kansas City library’s arty facade of 25-foot-tall book bindings.

Shout Out

To Zach Bauman for heading out in one of the metro’s largest snowstorms to take pictures of the star studentathletes showcased in this month’s issue.

Page 92 Behind the Scenes

Photographer Sam Levi shooting Kansas City food scene influencers for this issue’s story on the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association’s top five influencer picks.

Dr. Jeffrey Lenius is an expert in Invisalign® and braces for children, teenagers and adults. Voted a Top Orthodontist in Kansas City and St Louis, Dr. Jeff has treated thousands of patients, perfecting their smiles and improving their overall dental health. Come see us in our new office in Overland Park. First consult is complimentary! No referral needed.

What’s in A Name?

By Ian Ritter

(Continued from page 17)

CHANCES ARE YOU don’t use Kansas City’s downtown airport to fly much or even know its official name— unless, of course, you’re Taylor Swift.

Yes, Swift’s private plane flew into Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) last year more than any other airport, with the exception of a landing strip near her primary residence in Nashville, according to data from JetSpy and aviation website Simple Flying. But more important than the comings and goings of the world’s biggest pop star is that city officials have decided that MKC is in need of a name change.

The airport, which was built in 1927 and served as the metro’s main airport until 1972, when MCI was built, has recently garnered enough attention that city officials have taken note. Wanting to capitalize on its recent notoriety and premier location at the Missouri River bottoms next to the rail tracks and Hannibal Bridge, city officials decided a name change will prevent the airport from losing small-plane traffic to other regional airports.

Outsiders “don’t have Charles B. Wheeler knowledge when they’re looking for Kansas City and the business airport within the region,” says Melissa Cooper, the city’s director of aviation. “They want to find Kansas City’s downtown airport.” Kansas City needs to be in its name, says Cooper, whose office is at the airport. And now it is, albeit unofficially.

The City Council voted to change the name from Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport to Kansas City Airport–Wheeler Field. Despite voting it so and changing the airport’s name on its website, the airport’s call sign, its three-letter designation by the Federal Aviation Administration, remains MKC.

Not having “Kansas City” in the airport’s official name poses a problem when you’re trying to effectively market the area, says Cooper. For example, even the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport manages to fit the city name in its title,while still honoring the musical great. No disrespect to Charles Wheeler, an aviation champion and colorful KCMO mayor from 1971 to 1979, but his name doesn’t hold quite the same cachet for outsiders as trumpet master Satchmo’s. Cooper says that having to explain the meaning of the airport’s name in a quick marketing elevator pitch can waste precious time when big business is increasingly coming through and to MKC.

The coming 2026 FIFA World Cup games will bring plenty of demand, in addition to the area’s ongoing ability to draw major conventions and events, along with the continued success of area professional and collegiate sports teams.

ANOTHER NAME CHANGE

MKC has an annual economic impact of $625 million, according to a study by KCMO-based engineering firm Kimley-Horn released by the city last year. About 2,800 people are employed through various business activities that lease airport space.

More than its runway and hangars, the site is also home to headquarters of global advertising firm VML, which leases just over 100,000 square feet and boasts clients such as Coca-Cola, Dell Technologies and Johnson & Johnson. Additionally, the airport houses the TWA Museum, one of the world’s largest airlines for a time and headquartered at MKC from 1931 to 1964.

NO FLOOD ZONE

One of the downtown airport’s most impressive feats is its ability not to flood, despite the facility’s relationship with the Big Muddy. The country’s longest river hugs most of MKC’s property, and the runway hasn’t ever flooded, even in 1951—the year of the “great flood.”

Lee’s Summit city officials also voted to add a Kansas City designation to their municipality’s non-commercial airport, much to the chagrin of KC Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Original plans called for dubbing the former Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport (LXT), which shares a far southern border with KCMO, the Greater Kansas City Regional Airport. That plan didn’t sit well with KC officials, who took issue with the word “greater,” since the 486-acre facility mainly serves the southeastern part of the metro. They worried that with words “greater” and “Kansas City” in its name, the airport would draw business away from Kansas City’s downtown airport.

Additionally, some Lee’s Summit City Council members thought the new name should start with Lee’s Summit, not KC.

But when businesses and private travelers come to the facility, “more often they’re visiting the Kansas City area,” Lee’s Summit Mayor William Baird said at a recent council meeting. After all, some of the biggest users of the airport are those traveling to and from Kansas City Chiefs games. Eventually, the new moniker Kansas City–Lee’s Summit Regional Airport won out.

The Federal Aviation Administration must still approve the name change, a process that can take up to six months. Although the city administration expects growth from the airport, which generates an estimated annual economic output of $9 million, there are no plans to add commercial flights. The airport’s location identifier code will remain LXT.

The City of Lee’s Summit is working on a 20-year master plan for the airport that includes a new terminal with a retail and café area, conference and meeting rooms, and a second-floor observation deck.

Calling All Adrenaline Junkies

An indoor racetrack venue is making its way to OP

By Ian Ritter

A MULTI-LEVEL indoor racetrack will soon join a growing string of over-the-top entertainment venues clustered around Interstate 435 in Overland Park and Leawood, making the area an even larger regional draw.

Headed up by racing royalty Mario Andretti, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is scheduled to open this summer in the Aspiria corporate campus, formerly the global headquarters of Sprint Corporation, on the west side of Nall Avenue at about 116th Street.

Totaling just over 103,000 square feet, the endeavor will bring, in addition to the multilevel go-kart track, a bowling alley, arcade, laser tag area, restaurant, bar and more. So far, the Florida-based Andretti chain has nine locations, including several in Texas, two in Georgia and one each in Arizona and Florida.

The Fort Worth location’s website promotes its 7D Xperience ride, described as a “3D interactive movie experience with amazing special effects,” as well as professional racing simulators.

Andretti joins a critical mass of similar experiential-themed outlets within a short distance. Across Nall is another global headquarters—that of AMC Theatres and its AMC Town Center 20 cinema, with several premium seating and viewing options. About a block north of the multiplex is Breakout KC Escape Room in the Park Place shopping center. A five-minute drive to the north, over the interstate, brings you to the 85,000-square-foot Top Golf and its indoor putting and driving bays. Also close by is iFLY Indoor Skydiving on Metcalf Avenue. If you’re more in the mood for pickleball, axe throwing or just hanging at Dave & Buster’s, those can all be found just a short drive south at 135th Street.

But none of them bear the name of Andretti, an Automotive Hall of Famer with a Formula One World Championship, Daytona 500 and Indy 500 wins, and a “Driver of the Century” pronouncement by the Associated Press in 2000. Now in his 80s, Andretti is part of the new Cadillac F1 team, for which he will serve as a director through a partnership with Andretti Global, a racing team headed by his son, Michael.

For the Aspiria campus, it’s a continued reinvention of the 20-building campus, which still houses offices for T-Mobile Corporation, the telecom giant that purchased Sprint in 2018. Owned by Wichita-based Occidental Management since 2019, the landlord plans additional projects for Aspiria’s undeveloped 60 acres, including more than 500,000 square feet of offices, 268,000 square feet of retail and restaurants and 430 apartments.

New development is apparently the way to go in the area’s tight retail market. The retail vacancy rate at the end of 2024’s third quarter came in at three percent in north Johnson County, down from four percent during the same period a year ago, further proving that people are willing to get out and shop.

Let the Good Times Roll

Fat Tuesday Festivities

By Nina Cherry

LET THE GOOD times roll and celebrate Mardi Gras with Kansas City’s small but mighty scene. While our festivities may not rival the grandeur of New Orleans or even St. Louis, KC’s grassroots celebrations have charm, soul and steadfast revelers. While members of the Mardi Gras community like to keep the details of their celebrations elusive, the blaring horns and colorful costumes are hard

to miss. On Fat Tuesday, the fun starts bright and early in KC’s Westside neighborhood for a dawn parade. In the evening, the party continues. At the annual dusk parade, partakers march eastbound down 18th Street to end the celebration in the heart of the jazz district. Even in frigid weather, dedicated celebrants reliably show up and out each year. For those looking to join the fun, instrumentalists and singers of all experience levels are encouraged to play with the community Mardi Gras marching band. Leading up to Fat Tuesday on March 5, open rehearsals will be held throughout February at Cap Gun Studios in the West Bottoms. For those not musically inclined, interested community members are welcome to craft costumes in tandem.

GO: Mardi Gras Open Rehearsals, February 2, 9 & 23, 6:30–8:30 pm.

Cap Gun Studios, 1219 Union Ave., #2W, KCMO.

Photography by Chuong Doan

Apryl Murray celebrates Mardi Gras during the early morning parade in downtown KCMO, February 13, 2024.

8 feb

Tyler, The Creator

Alternative hip-hop star Tyler, The Creator is coming to KC on his world tour for his latest album Chromakopia. The rapper’s eighth studio album—written, produced and arranged by him—has received widespread acclaim as his most reflective and mature release yet. He will be joined by special guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas. February 8. 7:30 pm. T-Mobile Center.

2

Ceramic Valentines

Spread the love and get in touch with your creative side at Cherry Pit Collective’s Ceramic Valentines workshop. Price of admission to the class––which will teach beginner techniques to build one-of-a-kind valentines by hand––also includes clay, glaze and firing at the Midtown studio. February 2. 10 am. Cherry Pit Collective.

7

Grand Marquis

KC roots and blues band Grand Marquis’ brassy and soulful style celebrates the region’s musical heritage while infusing their own 21st century sound. Grab a bite at The Ship’s Friday matinee show and listen to a band that is beloved for a reason. February 7. 6–9 pm. The Ship.

8

Sara Swenson

You may have heard KC singer-songwriter Sara Swenson’s music on the soundtracks of a few nationally syndicated TV shows, such as ABC drama Private Practice and PBS docuseries Girl Unscripted. Swenson’s no-frills acoustic set at the East Bottom’s biker bar Knuckleheads will showcase her breathtaking vocals and candid songwriting. February 8. 8 pm. Knuckleheads

14

Lorna Kay

Scoot your boots to KCK for honkytonk singer Lorna Kay. Alongside Lauren Lovelle and The Midnight Spliffs, the singer’s crystal clear voice will command country classics. If weather allows, take a break in between sets by the patio firepit. February 14. 8 pm. Hillsiders.

21

Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ansari is best known for portraying Tom Haverford on NBC’s Parks and Recreation and as the star and creator of Netflix’s Master of None. The Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning comic and actor is making a stop on his stand-up Hypothetical Tour at The Midland. Known for his observations on modern relationships and

culture, Ansari delivers jokes that are relatable and a bit cynical. February 21. 7 pm. The Midland Theatre.

21–23

Beauty and the Beast

The Kansas City Ballet is reimagining Beauty and the Beast with a dazzling mix of storytelling and movement. With colorful costumes and a live narration from choreographer Bruce Wells, the classic fairytale promises fun for the whole family. February 21–23. Times vary. Folly Theater.

22

Reel Black Film Fest

In honor of Black History Month, Reel Black Film Fest will highlight regional stories from KC filmmakers Nico Giles Wiggins, Jacob Handy and Kerry Rounds. The festival, hosted by Kansas City PBS, will chronicle systemic and structural racism, trailblazers and historically under-recognized champions throughout three films. February 22. 1:30 pm. The Truman.

22

Boozy Book Fair

KC’s Boozy Book Fair, aptly billed as “not your kid’s Scholastic book fair,” invites you to relive your childhood nostalgia—with a craft cocktail in hand. A collaboration between Kansas City Booksellers Association and KC bookstore The Gilded Page, the event features local authors, booksellers and plenty of literary fun. February 22. 4–9 pm. Crown Center.

23

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández’s captivating performances weave together the traditional dance, music and attire of Mexican folklore. Hailed by the New York Times for their “gorgeous costumes and breathtaking formations,” the Mexico City dance company’s KC appearance is presented by the Harriman-Jewell Series. February 23. 5:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

23

The Get Up Kids

Kansas City’s own The Get Up Kids rose to popularity in the late 90s with second-wave emo anthems like “Holiday” and “Ten Minutes.” Across nine albums, their dedicated fan base has remained steadfast. The Midwest-emo band’s hometown show marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Something to Write Home About, their breakout sophomore album. February 23. 8 pm. The Midland Theatre.

28 säje

Last year, vocal jazz supergroup säje’s recording career started off strong, taking home a Grammy win for their debut

15–16

Winterlude Jazz Festival

Since 2010, the two-day Winterlude Jazz Festival has showcased an array of what the scene has to offer. The annual festival primarily features local musicians across two stages at Johnson County Community College’s Midwest Trust Center. Friday’s headliner is KC vocalist Deborah Brown, while Saturday’s major draw is New Orleans Songbook, a production presented by NYC’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. February 15–16. Performances start at 1 pm. Midwest Trust Center.

album. The quartet—a collaborative effort between Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick and Amanda Taylor—makes the complex sound effortless for a rich and butter-smooth sound. Their performance is part of the Folly Jazz Series. February 28. 7:30 pm. Folly Theater.

28–March 2

Hannibal Buress

Over a decade ago, comic Hannibal Buress made waves in a stand-up routine that helped bring sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby to the public eye. Throughout his career, the multi-talented comic has racked up an extensive list of credits as a former writer for 30 Rock and an actor in series like The Eric

André Show and Broad City. Unapologetically honest and self-assured, Burress will offer a night of laughs. February 28–March 2. Times vary. The Comedy Club of Kansas City.

28–March 2

Parade

Based on a true story, the popular musical Parade follows Jewish newlyweds Leo and Lucille Frank. After Leo is accused of a violent crime, the couple grapples with prejudice and injustice while living in Georgia in the early 20th century. Although the production made its Broadway debut in 1998, Parade won a 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. February 28–March 2. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

Honoring KCK’s bard

Director Francois Batiste brings back a poignant play about life in KCK, 15 years after its debut

By Hayley Veilleux

FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER its premiere at KC Rep, Broke-ology returns to Kansas City in honor of playwright and Kansas City native Nathan Louis Jackson. A graduate of Washington High School and, later, Juilliard, Jackson debuted Broke-ology while still a student. He went on to a successful career as a playwright and screenwriter, working on shows like S.W.A.T. and the Netflix series Luke Cage, but his life was cut short in 2023 when he passed away unexpectedly. He was 44.

Inspired by Jackson’s upbringing, Broke-ology tells the complex and poignant story of the King family as they navigate hardship in a working class KCK neighborhood. The King brothers are faced with the responsibility of caring for a father debilitated by multiple sclerosis—the same disease Jackson’s father battled.

While Broke-ology explores love, struggle and endurance, its quiet brilliance defies easy categorization. Director Francois Battiste, a close friend of Jackson, shared his thoughts on the play’s lasting impact.

What impression did the script have on you when you first read it? Any great work, any great piece of literature, if you read it at age 17, is going to mean something completely different to you at age 37. So when I first read Broke-ology, I was immediately drawn to the brothers because they were in my age range. I could understand

what they were saying and how they were maneuvering through life. I have an older brother. I have already lost a brother to cancer, and my brother and I are now looking at, how do we take care of our aging parents? And that’s what Ennis and Malcolm are going through over the course of the play. That’s sort of where their struggle is. And now that it’s almost 17 years later, it resonates with me—still with the brothers—but also taking into account how a parent feels. So it hits you on different levels as you continually mature with the piece itself. The piece hasn’t changed. The beings change.

Theater critic Robert Feldberg wrote in the The Record of Hackensack, New Jersey, that “Broke-ology is a decidedly imperfect work, but it’s a very promising debut in the big time for a playwright with a rare quality: heart.” What would you say in response to that statement? I try to stay away from criticism. You know, when you say something is imperfect, can you name anything that is perfect? I think he’s right about the heart. I think he’s spot on when it comes to the heart. Because what’s interesting is that Nathan was a young dude writing about very mature topics, and he had the wisdom and intellectual capability to couch it in a way that was not preachy. He had the instinct to write in a way that kept you laughing and made you think a lot later on. To me, that’s the stroke of genius with Broke-ology. When you begin to analyze it—when you begin to peel back the layers of the depth of the subjects he was talking about—that’s where the gold is. The more you excavate Broke-ology, the more you’re coming up with issues that tend to get glossed over in our society. There is no perfect play. There’s nothing in art that is perfect. It’s just perfect to an individual. It’s how you receive the production or how you receive a piece of art that is perfect for you.

↓

Broke-ology premieres at Copaken Stage on Feb. 11 and is recommended for viewers ages 14 and older due to its use of strong language and racial epithets.

Broke-ology Director Francois Battiste

Mechanics of Music

At Upcycle Piano Craft, Stephen Wilson combines craftsmanship and a love of music

By Nina Cherry

PIANO TECHNICIAN Stephen Wilson has been fascinated with the ivories nearly all his life. He recalls tinkering with his household’s century-old instrument as a young boy in rural Pennsylvania.

“The first thing I bought out of college was a piano, not a car,” Wilson says.

Wilson is the owner of Upcycle Piano Craft, a Midtown shop that specializes solely in selling restored pianos. He manages the store alongside his partner Anne Trinkl. Both are focused on sourcing what Wilson specifies as “fine instruments.”

“I’m interested in incredible pianos––an instrument that allows a musician the ability to emote,” Wilson says. “I enjoy restoring, or upcycling, them, if you will, from their former life to their new life.”

When it comes to selection, Wilson is particular, but despite his rightfully high standards, he has little trouble procuring instruments. He’s almost always game to take a look at a piano and suss it out, whether the source is an estate sale or a downsizing family.

“I don’t spend a minute looking for pianos,” Wilson says. “They find me.”

Wilson’s second career as a piano technician is followed by his first career as an airplane mechanic. In 2012, facing shifts in the aviation industry and seeking a change of pace, he decided to pursue a new career that combined his technical expertise and passion for music. Four years later, he made the leap and opened Upcycle Piano Craft. Today, he spends much of his days meticulously disassembling, inspecting and reassembling pianos.

Beyond restoration, Upcycle Piano Craft has also become a hub for education and performance.

Over the past five years, Wilson has taught a quarterly rotating technician school that teaches students how to tune and make basic repairs to pianos. The tenweek course shares the tools of the trade—a valuable skill set with limited apprenticeship opportunities.

Every first Tuesday of the month, Upcycle Piano Craft opens up the shop for a free happy hour show. A duo or trio usually performs, but this month’s concert will fill the shop with a full big band featuring vocalist David Watson’s Re-Birthing The Cool, Bebop N Beyond. The veteran bebop singer recently relocated to KC from Oregon and will be joined by a cast of all-star KC musicians.

↓ GO: David Watson’s Re-Birthing The Cool, Bebop N Beyond, Tuesday, February 4, 4:30–7:30 pm. Upcycle Piano Craft. 3945 Main St., KCMO.

But for Wilson, refurbishing pianos goes far beyond the instruments themselves.

“I’m in the business of restoring something that brings life into a home,” Wilson says.

Top 10 Signs Your Loved One Needs Care

1. Increased falls or risk of falls

2. Wandering from home

3. Wearing the same clothes on multiple days

4. Frequently forgetting to take medications

5. An unsafe / unclean home

6. Difficulty with one or more activities of daily living such as bathing, preparing meals, toileting

7. Need for nighttime supervision that cannot be met by in-home caregiver

8. Repeating questions and multiple phone calls with the same question

9. Not eating or drinking fluids regularly

10. Unsafe behavior (leaving the stove on, exterior doors open)

When to intervene:

Intervene when your loved one’s safety, health, or quality of life is at risk, and they can no longer manage independently despite in-home support. Start by having a compassionate conversation, involving them in decisions whenever possible, and exploring senior care options tailored to their needs. You don’t have to face this process alone, Senior Care Authority can help provide you guidance including finding the best places to live, receiving the proper care and navigating through the complex health care system.

Visit Evie’s Instagram @sweetdestructor.

Year of the Snake

By Susan Cannon

THE LUNAR YEAR of the Snake begins this month, and coincidentally, Kansas City artisan Evie Englezos finds compelling meaning in the iconography of snakes and serpents in her handmade tableware.

”Few other creatures elicit such intense reactions, yet they appear in every culture’s ancient lore, often associated with change and transformation, death and rebirth because of the continual renewal evident in shed skins,” Englezos says.

The serpents in her work commonly reference world mythologies. “A couple of my favorite snake-like entities in Greek mythology are Agathos Daimon, or ‘noble

spirit’—a kind of ancient version of a guardian angel who protects, advises and brings luck to individuals and households—and the giant serpent, Delphyne, who originally guarded the Oracle at Delphi, considered then to be the center of the earth. Their stories and symbology are so rich.”

Englezos says she uses Ceramic Ontology as her moniker “to describe the process of exploring the nature of life and existence through my art. While not a formally recognized branch of philosophical study, it’s my fun way to hint at themes present in my work. And I think we’re all studying what it means to exist.”

Photography by Zach Smith

Serpent-handled Platter with Paramita Flower. Handbuilt porcelain, black underglaze, sgraffito, glaze and 22k gold luster.

Sustainable Style

The owner of a Crossroads gallery-inspired boutique takes her cues from timeless and sustainable fashion

By Susan Cannon

WHEN FASHION DEVOTEE Amy Appleton decided to take the plunge and open her first storefront, Blackbird Collection, her aim was to fuse luxury and sustainability—and it worked.

Nearing its one-year anniversary, Appleton’s Crossroads art gallery-inspired shop (122 Southwest Blvd., KCMO) is offering sustainable, high-quality apparel and home items with a modern and timeless edge. The Kansas City native is making a living selling her personal aesthetic.

Appleton, who studied business marketing, launched her brand in 2012 the way many do these days—via her Instagram, @stepsofstyle.

Appleton has successfully merged her well-defined, provocative style with the glamorous brand of Blackbird Collection, and she is serious about her mission to run a responsible operation. “Retail, by definition, isn’t necessarily sustainable, but there are ways we try to make a difference while still giving our customers a unique experience,” says Appleton, who credits much of her style aesthetic to travel. “I have some strong passions, from the sustainability and responsible production aspects to the businesses we buy from, that, in large part, are small, women-owned brands that operate in very intentional ways.”

ABOVE: A postmodern sectional perfect for lounging. Blackbird Collection owner Amy Appleton is wearing an Éterne knit dress and Anny Nord Point Blank slingbacks in disco ball silver.

A Coqui Coqui Flor de Mayo room diffuser sits on a 1970s chrome and glass table.

Appleton hand-picks vintage furniture, sourcing near-perfect-condition 20th-century classics. Her eye leans toward original styles that are proven to be timeless, of good quality and, from a design perspective, a good investment.

“I’ve honed my aesthetic as I’ve gotten older, wiser and find I care less about trends and more about what I truly love,” she says. Her concern over mass consumption has also grown through time. “It’s not sustainable for the planet, our lives or our bank accounts,” Appleton says. “The most important thing to me is living a timeless lifestyle, from what I’m wearing, where I’m traveling to the couch I’ll be sitting on for the next 40 years.” It’s a philosophy she’s hoping to pass onto her kids, Stella and Theo.

Both, she says, wear hand-me-downs. Stella can often be seen wearing her mom’s more casual clothes, and her young son Theo wears many of his big sister’s unisex clothing items.

“I think our mindset as a mass-consumption culture has to pivot from buying the newest trend to buying into a lifestyle that fits us each individually and will stand the test of time,” Appleton says. “Our money is our power, and we need to slow the demand for fast fashion and interiors not just for our mental health but also for the health of our planet.”

→ Check out blackbirdcollection.com and Instagram @shopblackbirdcollection.

ABOVE: Blackbird Collection owner Amy Appleton wears a Bevza sweater and Anny Nord snakeskin boots. The curved sofa is an original postmodern piece by M. Fillmore Harty reupholstered in Schumacher performance velvet.

BOTTOM LEFT: Blackbird Collection owner Amy Appleton wears a Taller Marmo Rio Maggiore Kaften. The dining table is a vintage burlwood piece. Owner of Blackbird Collection Amy Appleton on a recent buying trip in Marrakesh for a new cache of rugs.

LEFT: Interior of Blackbird Collection.

A SOULFUL

With an eye for the unique, vintage collector and shop owner Melanie Clouser uses her finds to create a warm and thoughtful home

BY SUSAN CANNON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN

SIMMONS

MMELANIE CLOUSER considers her eclectic 1921 Craftsman house a work in progress.

“I don’t believe a home can ever get to the point of being finished,” Clouser says of her Midtown home. “It breathes and evolves like we do, getting reshaped to fit our lives.”

A self-described vintage collector and owner of interior shop Good Weather, Clouser and her husband Geoff White moved into their Valentine neighborhood home in 2018 and set about making it their own.

Clouser, who received a BFA in ceramics from Parkville’s Park University, has always had an eye for the unique.

“I remember the first antique mall I went to when I was eight in Saint Charles near St. Louis,” she says. “I recall the smell. I fell in love with a pink satin and velvet antique ballerina costume. It was so beautiful.”

TOP Sheer taupe curtains allow just enough light in, casting a warm glow over the living space.

BOTTOM The framed photograph of two women canoeing was a gift from a friend. It belonged to Clouser’s mother, who owned an antique mall.

RIGHT A 1940s gun cabinet is reimagined to house vintage glassware and trinkets. On top is a hand-built ceramic lamp by local artist Tyler Dean King.

“i don’t believe a home can ever get to the point of being finished. it breathes and evolves like we do, getting reshaped to fit our lives.”

Clouser, who has worked as a visual merchandiser for both small and large retailers, has always had her hand in antiquing and the local vintage community, including selling her finds at Urban Mining Vintage. She opened her own Midtown shop Good Weather in 2023. Her shop will be relocating to Morningside Plaza in East Brookside in March.

Clouser’s collecting sensibility reflects the evocative spirit each singular object holds, she says, whether it be a vintage sofa or a one-of-a-kind ceramic vessel. “Collecting is an art, and the pieces I surround my husband and I with are a medium through which we express ourselves,” she says.

LEFT The dining room is an eclectic mix of objects from various provenances. Clouser is partial to ceramics, and she’s placed them all over her home. The wall-mounted ceramic sculpture is by contemporary artist Grace Tuthill, and the ceramic canister on the table is by late artist Arthur Towata.

RIGHT A vintage teak armoire from India holds a collection of foraged glass bottles and anchors a room of curated finds.

BOTTOM LEFT An antique carnival sign is juxtaposed next to a 1960s-era framed oil painting.

BOTTOM RIGHT Melanie Clouser and her husband Geoff White outside their home.

A hanging

Clouser’s appreciation for the vintage items she collects and sells speaks to the craft, materials, aged patinas and textures. She is often attracted to the grounding earth-tone palette, but she punctuates many of her decorating vignettes with threads of color.

Clouser not only seeks out local artists but also travels nationally, selling and acquiring pieces for her shop and other projects. She travels to Texas twice a year, setting up shop at the Marburger Farm Antique Show. Some of her more notable clients include Joanna Gaines and SNL comedian and Kansas City native Heidie Gardner.

FAR LEFT Clouser’s dog, Jojo, takes his place on a newly upholstered vintage settee.

ABOVE

sculpture made from the wooden wheels of vintage toy cars by artist Grant Nitsch hangs in a living room corner.

At Georgous Aesthetic Bar, we believe the perfect pout is personal. Whether you’re looking for subtle definition or full, hydrated lips, our experienced injectors customize every treatment to fit your unique features and aesthetic goals.

Not sure how much filler you need? We offer both half and full syringes to help you achieve your desired look. Half syringes are perfect for those who want just a little more volume, while full syringes provide a more noticeable enhancement. Our signature approach ensures balance and symmetry, so your lips always look beautifully enhanced—not overdone.

Wondering what to expect? Some swelling and bruising is common, so we recommend planning your treatment at least 2 weeks before any big events. Results can last up to 12 months, depending on the product used and your body’s metabolism.

STAR ATHLETES

Meet five teen athlete phenoms

The Kansas City metro has some amazing youth athletes, some with prodigal abilities. Picking just a few to shout out wasn’t easy, but we went for it anyway.

By David Hodes

Photography by Zach Bauman

Corbin Allen works hard. A 6’5”, 170-pound shooting guard, he’s coming off a high school basketball season that saw lots of colleges eyeing him for a place on their roster.

The Oak Park High School senior has already committed to the University of San Diego, turning down offers from North Dakota State, Ball State and six others. He’s an incredibly productive player.

Oak Park basketball head coach Sherron Collins calls him a coach’s dream—and a coach’s headache. “Sometimes he wants to work so much that I have to kick him out of the gym,” he says. “We’ll have to call his mom and

Corbin Allen senior Basketball

Oak Park High School

North Kansas City School District

tell her, ‘Don’t let him do anything extra.’ He gets banged up a lot and he doesn’t complain. He plays through it. He practices through it. And he just always works, man. He wills us to win and does a lot for us.”

In four seasons at Oak Park so far, he has accumulated 781 points (195 per season). His team is ranked 32 nationally, second in Missouri and first in Kansas City. Allen was awarded MVP for scoring 27 points in one game during the 2024 Norm Stewart Classic in December. Collins thinks he has a chance to go to the NBA. “He works hard and has a great family behind him, and that plays big into it,” Collins says.

Jaxon Hicks won the 2024 Thomas Simone Award in December as Kansas City’s most outstanding high school football player, and his football coach Chad Frigon says it’s an honor well deserved.

Hicks has earned “everything he’s got,” says Frigon. He’s relatively small for a running back, but that hasn’t held him back. “We have him on the roster at 5’8”, 160 pounds, and he worked hard to get to that size. He was a wrestler before. He worked his way into the spot where he’s strong and fast, and

Jaxon Hicks senior Football

Liberty High School

Liberty School District

he ended up having a great senior year.” The first game this season, the team’s other running back got injured, and Hicks took over as the team’s full-time running back.

Hicks plays with a lot of heart, Frigon says. “He’s definitely a team-first kid. He’s one of those people that, whether we were behind or ahead, always had the same demeanor. He never really panicked. He never got too excited. He was one of those guys on your team you need that keeps everybody level.”

“A coach’s delight. A wonderful student-athlete. A really good person.” That is golf coach Mike Grove’s first take on his outstanding golfer, Claire Sullivan. She has been a varsity golfer since 2021, and she’s a four-time Kansas state qualifier and a two-time Kansas state champion. Sullivan won four of the regular season tournaments that the team played in and has averaged a yearly score of 73. She set an individual school record of 68, which was two under par, at the Lawrence Country Club, Grove says. She was a three-time individual state medalist and

Claire Sullivan senior Golf

Olathe Northwest High School

Olathe School District

a member of the Kansas City Mid-America Cup Team in 2022 and 2023. She won the 2024 Kenneth Smith Award for the top player in the metro area.

“In this day and age that we live in, she was a breath of fresh air,” Grove says. “Like any highly skilled player, she’s had different coaches work with her, different swing instructors. She was open to everything. She never balked at anything that we tried to do. She was all in every day. She was just an unbelievable teammate and a fierce competitor.” Sullivan is not planning to compete in college, Grove says.

Logan Parks helped her team win the state title in 2021 and was the 2023-2024 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. She is one of 24 players on the AVCA All-America Watch List for National Player of the Year, and she won the prestigious Evelyn Gates Award in November, which honors a female high school varsity volleyball student-athlete who exhibits top-tier skill, spirit and sportsmanship in the Kansas City area.

“She’s very dedicated,” says volleyball coach Matt Allin. “She works hard year-round. She’s a great teammate and is very caring and giving. Just an overall great person who has been a huge part of our volleyball program the last four years.”

Parks has been the captain of the team for the last three years. “She gets to know her teammates,” Allin

Logan Parks senior Volleyball

Blue Valley North High School

Blue Valley School District

says. “They trust her to lead, and they trust her to make them better.”

Parks’ athletic prowess makes her one of the best volleyball players to ever play in the KC area. Her setting accuracy and hitting power are second to none, Allin says.

Parks just played in the Under Armour All-America match in January in Orlando, which is a competition of 26 of the best volleyball players in the country. “She’s very coachable, very open to new ideas, always wanting to learn and always wanting to try new things and improve physically and mentally.”

Parks recently accepted a scholarship to play volleyball at Stanford University next year.

Whitaker Steward has an “Olympic mindset,” says his swimming coach Tom Kleiboeker.

Steward made the national select camp at the Olympic Training Center in 2024 and is currently ranked 2nd in the nation for 17–18 year olds. He’s an Olympic Trials qualifier in the 1650 freestyle, and he won a silver medal winner in the 1650 freestyle at Winter Junior Nationals. At the Olympic Trials at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, Steward finished 34th in the 1500 freestyle, an incredible feat. However, it did not qualify him for July’s 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“His success inspires and helps others believe that they, too, can achieve what I call the ‘Olym-

Whitaker Steward senior Swimming

Kearney High School

Kearney School District

pic mindset,’ which is understanding that great achievement comes from excellent habits and that greatness is a lifestyle and not a hobby,” says Kleiboeker, who heads the Northland’s Tsunami Swim Team, where Steward trains. “We have a great partnership, and he’s a joy to work with every day.”

Steward is also Kearney High School’s record holder in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle, a 12-time Greater Kansas City Suburban Varsity Conference champion, a three time All-American in the 200 freestyle and a two-time All-American in the 500 freestyle.

Steward has committed to swim for the University of Tennessee after his senior year.

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY

Kids in Kansas City aren’t as active as they should be. Fixing that requires major change.

By Emma Flannery

Kansas City is a sports town—there’s no denying that. Championship teams, devoted fans and world-class arenas have deeply ingrained a love for sports in Kansas City culture. Despite that, a new study says kids in Kansas City are among the most inactive in the country, and that can have serious implications on their self-esteem, mental health and social lives.

Four in every five Kansas City-area kids get less than the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day, according to the Aspen Institute’s annual State of Play study, done in partnership with Children’s Mercy Kansas City. It’s a problem everywhere, but Kansas City’s numbers put it below the national average, which is already low. Just 24 percent of kids across the country receive 60 minutes of physical activity per day. In Kansas City, the number is 20 percent.

Inactive kids aren’t just seeing less sunlight; their mental health suffers, too. Inactive youth were nearly twice as likely to report daily feelings of depression than active youth, and just under half of kids spend three to five hours a day online.

So why aren’t kids in Kansas City playing sports? According to Dr. Robin Shook, director of the Kansas City Healthy Lifestyles Collaborative at Children’s Mercy, the city lacks the infrastructure needed to support youth sports.

“There are many people in Kansas City who don’t live in environments that are supportive of physical activity,” Shook says. “Sometimes that means the physical environment, like the neighborhood that they live in, but sometimes that’s also the social environment, the school environment—they’re not conducive to kids being active.”

According to the study, 22 percent of inactive youth surveyed indicated that they didn’t play sports because they are too expensive. Most fields and parks are on the outskirts of the city, and with limited public transportation, it’s challenging for inner-city kids to access them. Some kids surveyed also indicated that they didn’t feel safe walking to local green spaces, and the report cited Kansas City’s high rates of homelessness and gun-related injuries as contributing factors to the problem. The report gave the city grades of an F for active transportation and a C- for community environments that encourage outdoor activities, even walking or biking on sidewalks.

For children with disabilities, it’s even harder. There are limited resources to support youth sports that are accessible to those with disabilities, and cost is an even bigger factor for children with disabilities than for those without.

But there are solutions. The Aspen Institute and Children’s Mercy outlined numerous community organizations working to make kids more active, strategies to improve infrastructure and health policy, and ways to optimize the city’s existing resources to help improve youth sports in the city. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City is working to create a volunteer program with AARP to drive kids home from practices and games, but currently there aren’t enough drivers who have volunteered.

Uncover KC is another potential resource, the report says. The organization works with underserved communities and connects them with organizations and resources to help them. They already partner with local youth sports organizations in the greater KC area.

Shook says that city officials have expressed a desire to improve youth sports in Kansas City. Mayor Quinton Lucas was one of the first mayors in the United States to endorse the Aspen Institute’s Bill of Rights, which states that all children should have the opportunity to learn, grow and develop through sports.

“They are interested in being part of the solution,” Shook says. “I am very pleased that Mayor Lucas agrees that there are problems.”

With the World Cup coming to Kansas City in 2026, Shook hopes the city takes it as an opportunity to make lasting changes.

He also hopes people who read the report change their mindset around youth sports. Instead of a time commitment or a chore, physical activity is something that can bring people together.

“Physical activity is often viewed as something that is done when you’ve got a little bit of extra time on the weekends,” Shook says.

“But I truly believe that physical activity is much more than that. It is also a way that people can come together as a society, as a region, for something bigger.”

Headquartered in KC, the NAIA has been the governing body of small college athletic programs for more than 80 years

By David Hodes

GAME ON

THE NAIA’S MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT HEADS TO KC’S MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM THIS MARCH

LITTLE DID THE inventor of basketball James Naismith know when he and his cohorts started a KC college basketball tourney some 87 years ago that it would spawn a national athletic association representing more than 83,000 college students.

But that’s exactly what happened.

Since 1937, with the exception of just a few years, Kansas City has played host to a national college basketball tournament. Although the name has changed over the years—at first called the National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament—by 1952, it had evolved into more than just an annual men’s basketball tournament.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics started slowly representing more colleges and sports and became the first student sports organization to invite historically Black institutions to join, just a year after its inception. Fast forward to now, the NAIA counts

$2,700,000

Estimated city-wide revenue

2,500

237 mostly small universities and colleges as members and has students playing dozens of sports, such as football, golf, tennis, track and field, and baseball.

This year, the 87th NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship will be held March 20–25. The participating teams are winners of regional games from across the nation. They will play 15 elimination games for a chance at the title at Municipal Auditorium.

The tournament will do what it’s always done for the city—welcome thousands of visitors from large and small towns across the country, jam hotels and restaurants and create a local and national buzz about games and players that can change lives.

For tournament and ticket information head to naia.org or scan here.

40,000

Athletes participate in the tourney

Fans descend on the metro to watch their favorite teams

Impact of NAIA championship game on Kansas City

THE NAIA VS THE NCAA

There’s a difference, and it’s more than just numbers

Although the basketball celebrations will go on throughout the city, there is a national college sports evolution underway for student-athletes. It’s not the same game anymore. The NAIA and the larger National Collegiate Athletics Association are both dealing with new issues, such as managing athlete branding and how to address athletes identifying as transgender.

“The NAIA is the way college athletics was meant to be,” says Jim Carr, CEO of the NAIA. “We based ourselves on character-driven intercollegiate athletics. We’re building people of character for life through intercollegiate athletics.”

It’s commonly understood among both NAIA and NCAA officials that the larger universities and colleges that are a part of the NCAA usually offer a student-athlete a broader, and some say better, sports experience, usually led by a stronger and better-paid coaching team.

NCAA college Ohio State spent nearly $300 million on their sports programs in 2023, a new record, and made a profit of $4.6 million. Coaches at NCAA teams can make upwards of $10 million a year, some with half-million dollar performance bonuses.

For the most part, the NCAA represents big colleges and universities. The association is made up of 1,100 schools, with nearly 540,000 student-athletes who compete in more than 19,000 teams annually.

Parents often see the NCAA as presenting a clear pathway for their son or daughter to head to the pros. Yet even information on the NCAA website points to the slim chance of any student-athlete making the professional ranks. Of the nearly 20,000 NCAA men’s basketball players, only 1.1 percent go pro.

The NAIA argues that going pro shouldn’t be the primary factor in deciding the future of a student-athlete. They focus more on what is going on in a teenager’s personal development outside of sports and are going for a more well-rounded student.

To be sure, there are NAIA students who have gone on to play pro, Carr says, but not very many. “There’s a very remote chance of that,” he says.

Dennis Rodman is one NAIA student who went pro. He attended the NAIA school Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, where he was a three-time All-American and led the NAIA in rebounding his junior and senior seasons.He had a stellar pro career with multiple teams, ending with the Dallas Mavericks in 2000.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye, an NAIA hall of famer in track at Azusa Pacific University

Five famous NAIA players

Dennis Rodman

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Rodman was a threetime NAIA All-American who led the NAIA in rebounding twice. He played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Christian Okoye Azusa Pacific University

Okoye won seven college titles in the shot put, discus and hammer throw. He went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1994.

Scottie Pippen

University of Central Arkansas

Pippen’s pro career took him to the Seattle Supersonics, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. Pippen was a seven-time NBA All-Star.

Paul Splittorff

Morningside University

Splittorff pitched for the Kansas City Royals from 1970 to 1984. He was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 1987.

Buck Buchanan

Grambling State University

Buchanan played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1963 to 1975. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

in Azusa, California, 25 miles east of Los Angeles, credits the NAIA for guiding his professional football career. “Going to an NAIA school helped me because I never played football before,” he says. “If I had gone to a big school, they probably would have just held me back. But going to a small school, they helped me out a lot by teaching me and being patient with me during my learning.”

The NCAA has addressed the issue of smaller schools coming into the fold. That was one of the reasons for developing NCAA’s Division III, which stressed a more academics/sports balance for this division of mostly private schools with a class size as small as 300. About 40 percent of all NCAA student-athletes compete in Division III.

But there is something different about NAIA schools, in part because most of them are small and faith-based but also because of the students’ relationships with their coaches.

For instance, Okoye still stays in touch with his coaches today—Terry Franson, his track coach, and Jim Milhon, his football coach. “They were like my father to me because my father lived back in Nigeria,” he says. “They stepped in to help me. We talk about life, just everything.”

The size of some of the schools in the NCAA—up to 30,000 students—can mean coaches find more success developing a marquee player from a larger pool of student-athletes, some who will go on to fame and fortune as a pro. That player can draw a crowd and bring in real revenue to a college program.

Size and success like that can also mean that the everyday good student-athlete at an NCAA school who just wants a chance to showcase their talent might get limited play time with their team.

That is, if they get to play at all.

“In some ways, yes, that is true,” Carr says. “Take Baker University compared to the University of Kansas. Most athletes will have a much better opportunity to play at Baker than they would at KU. But if you compare any NCAA Division II or Division III team, it presents a pretty comfortable playing atmosphere.”

Divisions

In 1973, in an effort to bring in smaller schools, the NCAA went from being just one division to three divisions—I, II and III—divided by a school’s student population size. “That was a time when a lot of schools really tried to figure out what to do because now there were other opportunities under the NCAA umbrella,” Carr says.

There was a lot of moving back and forth between the two organizations in the ’80s and ’90s, Carr says, and things “kind of settled out in the 2000s.”

“I think our members who are with us now don’t aspire to be in the NCAA,” Carr says. “In fact, if they move over to NCAA Division III, it’s not necessarily seen as a step up. Sometimes it’s geography-driven. Sometimes it’s more about whatever conference they’re in. We’re also seeing a number of schools transition from the NCAA over to us. So there is some fluidness happening.”

Sometimes a strong NAIA team will transition over to a NCAA Division II, and conversely, the NAIA will bring a couple of NCAA Division III schools over to

Christian Okoye

rachel watson

zachery terpstra

emily till

it. Okoye’s school, Azusa Pacific, transitioned to an NCAA Division II school in 2012.

Right now, Carr says, seems to be another time of transition, whether it’s schools changing associations or student-athletes transferring to NCAA schools at higher rates. “So there’s some uncertainty going on now,” Carr says. “But for the most part, I think that works to our advantage because we are now in more conversations within schools about what would it look like if you’re in the NAIA. And then we mention some of the advantages.

“We have a number of schools we think would probably be better off in the NAIA, so we’re interested in talking with them,” Carr says. “In that respect, we’re more like competitors.”

Among the organization operatives in both the NAIA and NCAA, there is a sort of collegial feeling, a sense of working toward the same objectives in a competitive environment.

For example, NAIA and NCAA officials are currently working through a new transgender policy. “We met probably once a month with the folks over at the NCAA who were working through that,” Carr says. “It’s a really complex issue, but that was a good example of us working together.”

There are sometimes subtle differences in the way an NAIA game is played and an NCAA game is played, which can be good or bad, according to student-athlete Zachery Terpstra, an accounting and finance major who has been playing soccer for four years at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, just south of Chicago. “I have a friend who played basketball at an NCAA school,” he says. “I asked him about the difference between NAIA and NCAA play, basically comparing the NAIA to a NCAA Division III school. He said the style of play was very similar. He says it’s just a lot different, not easier and not harder. He said

organization stats

NCAA

The NCAA has three division levels: Division I, Division II, and Division III. There are 352 Division I schools, 313 Division II schools and 434 Division III schools.

About 190,000 studentathletes compete at the Division I level. More than 130,500 student-athletes compete in Division II and Division III.

NAIA

There are approximately 237 member schools in the NAIA. The schools all operate within one division rather than three—a change made in 2020 to provide a balanced and competitive landscape for smaller colleges.

Most NAIA schools are in the continental United States, with some in British Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

NAIA schools offer 27 sports, with a minimum of six per institution

Over 83,000 studentathletes participate in NAIA athletics.

that the NAIA offers a lot more variety of play style. NCAA Division III was a lot more hard-nosed, driving into the post, stuff like that.

“The big thing that drew me to NAIA school,” Terpstra “says was their ability to offer different scholarships for athletics, which were not just, ‘Hey, we think you’re a good player, [but] here is money to play, [too].’”

NAIA student-athlete Rachel Watson has been playing volleyball at Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa. She says that when she was being recruited in high school, she was thinking that she only wanted to go to NCAA Division I or Division II schools. “Big-name schools,” she says. “Now that I’ve been at an NAIA school for four years, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I know that they care about me. I’m more than just a number or an athlete. They care about me as a person.”

Watson, like many NAIA student-athletes, has other goals in her future than pursuing professional sports. She may coach volleyball after her upcoming three-year stint in grad school, she says, just to stay connected to the sport. “The NAIA has the Champions of Character program (a program to guide students in five core values), something I never really knew about going into the sport,” she says. “But now that I do, it’s a big focus while I am playing volleyball. That is a big part of developing you as a whole.”

Emily Till, a junior basketball player at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona, says that NAIA schools are able to compete with NCAA schools. Her team made it to the 2023 NAIA national tournament. They are ranked 20th in the country. In her sophomore year, she set a school record for rebounds in a single game (20).

“Honestly, the NAIA is still very competitive, and I think sometimes it gets put out as, like, a lesser level than the NCAA,” she says. “But we can compete with NCAA Division II and Division III teams, and we’re very

comfortable with them. In late November, my team went out and played two games against Chaminade University, which is a NCAA Division II school. It’s still highly competitive. But there is more emphasis on the academics part. You are a student-athlete rather than an athlete-student, which I really appreciate.”

Student-athlete branding in the digital age

With the onslaught of social media, a hot-button issue for any student-athlete—at both the high school and college level—is branding: developing and controlling their name, image and likeness profile.

A spokesperson for the NCAA wrote in response to emailed questions that they fully support student-athletes profiting from their name, image and likeness and in August launched a platform designed to connect student-athletes with potential service providers, facilitate disclosures of NIL activities and provide insight into evolving trends with the NIL environment.

This follows a new ruling by the NCAA Division I council in April that member schools would be able to increase NIL-related support for student-athletes, including identifying NIL opportunities and facilitating deals between student-athletes and third parties.

To get school support for their NIL activities, student-athletes will be required to disclose to their schools information related to any NIL activity equal to or greater than $600 in value no later than 30 days after entering or signing the NIL agreement.

Meanwhile, the NAIA identified the NIL issue early on. “We were out a little bit ahead of NCAA on the branding issue,”

Carr says. “The way I think about it is there were all these restrictions in both associations placed on student-athletes based on pretty archaic notions of limitations that student-athletes should have, and they were perceived to give schools a competitive advantage,” he says. “All the rules for a long time were based on trying to create a level playing field, which was a little bit of a pipe dream anyway.”

What the NAIA did was try to put their student-athletes in a similar position to any other student on campus who has a special talent, Carr says. “So if you think about a musician, a kid who is a really good trumpet player, that student can go out and give trumpet lessons to kids in the community. He can say that he is in the orchestra at whatever NAIA school, so your son or daughter should come learn from him. Well, we saw that a baseball pitcher, for example, didn’t have that same freedom to do that. There were restrictions on going out and saying that you are pitching for school X and therefore you should be able to have your son or daughter take pitching lessons from me.”

There were other things around NIL, such as being able to take money from companies for doing things on social media. It’s worked out well. “We’ve got students who are making sort of the high end, a few thousand bucks, and hardly any of our students are getting full scholarships. So it helps to pay for the rising cost of education or give them some meal money on the weekends or whatever they want to use it for.”

Colleges with both the NAIA and NCAA realize revenue returns from their student-athletes—some NAIA schools can generate up to $5 million from a team. So yes, it’s a numbers game. But it’s also a heart and soul game.

the Right Fit with KC’s Best Dentist

• You want to upgrade your smile, but don’t know where to begin

• You need a customized dental plan to fit your budget

• Same-day crowns and bridges

The NCAA and the NAIA’s curious KC connection

Five years after the NAIA was officially formed in 1952, it opened a KC home office. The NCAA, which dates back to 1906, was formed to regulate the very brutal sport of college football at that time. In 1904, 18 college football players died playing the game. The NCAA’s first official home was in Chicago, where it shared office space with the Big Ten Conference. In an effort to maintain impartiality within the membership, in 1952, then-NCAA executive director Walter Byers moved its national headquarters to his hometown of Kansas City. The organization had several offices while in the KC metro. However, in 1997, the NCAA moved its headquarters to Indianapolis.

Holli Careswell, D.D.S.

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. So, we’ve teamed up with local dental professionals to offer ways you can improve the appearance and health of your teeth. From little ones to older adults, there are a variety of methods to create and maintain your dental health and begin flashing those pearly whites!

Orthodontics

LENIUS OR TH ODONTICS

Orthodontic treatment offers more than just a beautiful smile—it’s an investment in your oral health and overall well-being. Proper tooth alignment improves bite function and reduces the risks of tooth wear and joint disorders. Straight teeth also make brushing and flossing easier, thereby reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Lenius Orthodontics offers custom treatment options for children, teens and adults. Whether for cosmetic or functional improvement, orthodontics leads to a healthier and more confident smile. leniusortho.com

CARESWELL & ANDERS O N DENTAL

Dentistry has been revolutionized by same-day crown and bridge technology. Using advanced CAD/CAM CEREC systems, the team at Careswell & Anderson can design, mill, and place crowns in a single visit—no messy impressions or temporary crowns required. By applying custom stains and glazes, a natural, personalized result is created for each patient. This technology not only streamlines the process, reducing appointments, but also eases patient anxiety, making it more likely they’ll complete essential dental care. It’s a game-changer for both efficiency and patient comfort. careswellanderson.com

Family Dentistry

RHOADES FAMILY

DEN

T I ST RY

Your smile reflects more than just confidence, it mirrors your health. Healthy sleep and proper airway function play a critical role in oral and overall wellness. When breathing is obstructed during sleep, it can lead to grinding, clenching, gum inflammation, and even jaw pain. Sleep apnea and

airway issues can also affect facial development, particularly in children, influencing the alignment and aesthetics of teeth. By addressing airway health through treatments like myofunctional therapy or airway-focused orthodontics, the dentists at Rhoades Family Dentistry can both enhance sleep quality, and create the foundation for a vibrant, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Breathe better; smile brighter! rhoadesdds.com

Pediatric Dentistry

LEBLANC & ASSOCIATES

Orthodontics

FRY ORTHODONTICS

Healthy smiles begin at an early age. It’s recommended you schedule a trip to the dentist by the time your child turns one or within six months of the appearance of their first tooth. At LeBlanc & Associates their team of board-certified pediatric dentists offer the highest standard of service, quality and expertise. You and your child walk into a modern and inviting environment, creating a fun atmosphere. Dr. LeBlanc and his team believe in positive reinforcement and offer patients incentives during their visits, including prizes, stickers, balloons, and ice cream. Their greatest reward is seeing a child have fun at their dental appointment and it’s their entire team’s philosophy, creating a start to a lifetime of healthy smiles. kidsmilekc.com

Advancements in Orthodontic technologies have allowed Fry Orthodontics to take a different approach to braces and Invisalign® treatment. Not only are they able to provide shorter treatment times for their patients, but they offer a conservative approach to orthodontics as well. With little to no use of palatal expanders, and only 5% of patients needing braces more than once, Fry has seen outstanding results amongst patients in the Kansas City metro area. Those that choose Invisalign® treatment will also benefit from the iTero™ digital scanner that allows you to visualize your smile at the end of treatment, quickly, efficiently and with more accurate results than traditional impressions.

fryorthodontics.com

From Hashtags to Headlines: KC’s Influencers Go Viral

The KC Restaurant Association asked Kansas Citians who they thought was the best food influencer in town. Here’s who you picked.

By Ryan Reed

Photography by Samantha Levi

THIS YEAR, the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association decided to start a new tradition recognizing the work of local social media personalities who feature and promote the city’s restaurants.

Christened the Influencer of the Year Award, the association asked the public to nominate their favorite influencers. More than 100 individuals were nominated. A committee then selected five finalists from the eligible nominees, and voting was opened to the public. To be eligible, a nominee had to be unaffiliated with advertising or news outlets, focused on restaurants and creating content for at least six months. Then the public was asked to vote.

The restaurant association announced the winner on Feb. 1. To find out who it is, head to kansascitymag.com.

Meet all five finalists: Adriana Davalos, Emma Ezzell, Brenda Cortes, Glenn Robinson and Rebecca Burkhart.

Adriana Davalos @kclifestylegirl

67.9K Instagram followers

ADRIANA DAVALOS SAYS her goal as an influencer is to help Kansas Citians live their best life. With a start in Los Angeles and three lifestyle television shows on her resume, Davalos brought her media chops to KC a couple years ago. She says her work is less about being a personality and more about telling a story. “When I go to restaurants, it’s not about me going to the restaurant,” Davalos says. “It’s about me covering the actual restaurant itself and telling its story and telling about the dishes and what’s so great about it.”

Davalos says she loves working with restaurants and local businesses, but she also pays attention to what her followers want and are interacting with. “We love the Chiefs, so I’m always trying to follow up,” says Davalos, who is able to support herself as a full-time influencer. “I also know that my followers really like Taylor Swift, so I try to keep up with what’s going on with her. I just try to stay on what’s relevant and what’s trending and what I know my followers like and want to see.”

Davalos is proud that she is able to support herself and work as an influencer full-time, but even more so, she thrives on helping the people of Kansas City.

“I get to do what I love for a living, but I really do get to make an impact on Kansas City, its people and its businesses,” says Davalos. Recently, she started a GoFundMe for one of her followers needing shelter during January’s snowstorms and freezing temperatures. “I created a fundraiser for this woman and I raised over $1,000 for her in less than 24 hours.”

65.5K Instagram followers

52.4K TikTok followers

SINCE 2020, Emma Ezzell has been showcasing KC’s hidden gems, local favorites and new spots throughout the greater Kansas City area with videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Heavily focused on food, Ezzell interacts with her followers through different styles of posts, including top 10 lists. “I like to do the lists, like my top 10 burgers, barbeque or summertime patios, to give people options visually that they might want to try out,” Ezzel says.

Before her time as an influencer, Ezzel would research cities on social media and Google when traveling to find the not-sofamous spots and local favorites. “I was always a big foodie when traveling,” Ezzel says. “I thought it would be cool to have a page designated for that in Kansas City where people in town or visiting for a Chiefs game could find things to do and places to eat.”

Ezzell loves the connections she has made by working as an influencer. She’s made many friends along the way, whether it’s creators or business and restaurant owners. “I’m hearing their stories of how they started and their struggles and the positive impact some of our videos in the Kansas City community have had [on their businesses]—it’s just really cool to hear,” she says.

Emma Ezzell

Brenda Cortes @bbcortess

23.8K Instagram followers

22.1K TikTok followers

BRENDA CORTES DID the work of an influencer before she ever had a following. Growing up in Marshall, Missouri, and going to school in Columbia, her family and friends often made trips to Kansas City for groceries, Costco runs and nice dinners. After moving to KC for a job, she was eager to really explore the city and learn about everything it had to offer. “I made these little itineraries each weekend for myself and for my friends who would visit for long weekends from Columbia,” Cortes says.

Cortes’ jump into social media took time and effort (including a brief and adorable stint trying to make her reluctant dog internet famous). After a few false starts, a post she made about Sinkers Lounge during a date at the Power & Light District went semi-viral. “People were coming up to me at work saying, ‘We saw your video!’” Cortes says. Now, she is all over town (and the state), introducing her followers to food and fun.

Cortes loves to travel and hopes to expand her social media presence to include more of it. Through her work showcasing Kansas City restaurants and sites, she wants to help her followers save money and see more of the world by showcasing travel hacks and credit card tricks. “I know people love to travel,” Cortes says. “It’s a big part of my life, so I definitely want to highlight more of my adventures.”

10.6K

11.5K TikTok followers

GLENN ROBINSON BEGINS his Hood Dude Food Reviews with a casual, “Hey man,” inviting the viewer to sit down as a friend for a conversation. The Northeast Kansas City native, who has been reviewing restaurants since 2017, has grown a following with the strength of his personality and his focus on honesty. “I’m very connected to all the restaurants,” he says. “I like to go and talk to people and connect with the staff.”

Robinson’s social media presence started as a joke. For fun, he would do food reviews of random places like gas stations. Around 2020, a good friend named Corn finally convinced Robinson to take it a little more seriously. “He was like, ‘Hey bro, I know you were joking, but this [could be] serious,’” Robinson says. “We never got to put any [videos] out because he passed away due to Covid. So in 2023, I decided this is what I want to do. My boy told me I should [create videos], so I’m gonna really tap in and push.” It was then that Robinson really started building his brand and identity. Robinson sought out underrepresented places and small shops quietly making great food below the internet radar, and he found a following for his content. “I really try to build the community around me up,” says Robinson. “I try to expose people to places that aren’t usually covered. Yeah, I go to the popular places too, but I’m in a lot of the mom-and-pop shops, the places that may not have Instagram. That’s how this business got started for me. It just makes me feel like I have a purpose to connect people. It makes me feel great. This is amazing.”

Glenn Robinson @theepitomekc

Rebecca Burkhart @through.becs.specs

25.7K Instagram followers

REBECCA BURKHART, the influencer behind the travel blog and Instagram and TikTok accounts “Through Bec’s Specs” started creating travel content in 2018. Inspired by family road trips growing up and the chance to study abroad in Prague during college, Burkhart has turned her passion for travel into a successful social media brand. Following her motto, “Things usually work out sometimes,” Burkhart strives to remove the barriers to travel for her followers and to minimize the anxieties that keep people in their comfort zones.

Burkhart works full time as an integration architect in a position that often requires her to travel. Her work and her passion for exploring new places led her to visit 20 countries and 47 states by the time she was 27. Burkhart has built an impressive following memorializing her travel experiences online. When Covid hit and travel slowed down, Burkhart began to focus more on exploring Kansas City.

Now, Burkhart’s feed on Instagram seems pretty evenly split between showcasing KC and documenting her adventures abroad. The voice she uses online leans encouraging and inspirational, asking her followers to push farther and live a life of adventure worth sharing.

2025 KANSAS CITY

FIVE STAR AWARD WINNERS

These days, it takes a village to manage your financial world. Whether it is managing your assets with a wealth manager, navigating the ever-changing tax landscape, sorting out your estate and succession planning or picking the right life insurance, finding the right team can be a daunting task. In fact, many consumers have a hard time figuring out where to even begin. Sometimes, a few simple questions can put you off on the right path. Asking a professional what makes working with them a unique experience can help you understand how they work and if their style meshes with your own.

This is a great place to start! Five Star Professional uses its own proprietary research methodology to name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such as Kansas City Magazine to spread the word about award winners. Each award candidate undergoes a thorough research process (detailed here) before being considered for the final list of award winners. For the complete list of winners, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com.

RESEARCH DISCLOSURES

In order to consider a broad population of high-quality wealth managers and investment professionals, award candidates are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination or prequalification based on industry standing. Self-nominations are not accepted. Kansas City-area award candidates were identified using internal and external research data. Candidates do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final lists of Five Star Wealth Managers or Five Star Investment Professionals.

• The Five Star award is not indicative of a professional’s future performance.

• Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets.

• The inclusion of a professional on the Five Star Wealth Manager list or the Five Star Investment Professional list should not be construed as an endorsement of the professional by Five Star Professional or Kansas City Magazine

• Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Investment Professional or any professional is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected professionals will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future.

• Five Star Professional is not an advisory firm and the content of this article should not be considered financial advice. For more information on the Five Star Wealth Manager or Five Star Investment Professional award programs, research and selection criteria, go to fivestarprofessional.com/research.

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER

DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA

Award candidates who satisfied 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards. 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 6. One-year client retention rate. 7. Five-year client retention rate. 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered. 9. Number of client households served. 10. Education and professional designations. 2,000 award candidates in the Kansas City area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award. 121 (approximately 6% of the award candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers.

FIVE STAR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL

DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA

The investment professional award goes to estate planning attorneys, insurance agents and select others in the financial industry. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed with appropriate state or industry licensures. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 5. One-year client retention rate. 6. Five-year client retention rate. 7. Number of client households served. 8. Recent personal production and performance (industry specific criteria). 9. Education and professional designations/industry and board certifications. 10. Pro Bono and community service work. This year, we honored 1 Kansas City-area investment professional with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

All award winners are listed in this publication.

Wealth Managers

Financial Planning

Patrick J. Aubry

Morgan Stanley Page 8

Jessi Chadd

Aspyre Wealth Partners Page 7

Donald Caldwell Clark

Personal Financial Group

Sheila K. Davis

Morgan Stanley Page 9

Mark A. Gash

Summit Pointe Financial Group

Trevor S. Graham

Elevation Wealth Management

Ryan Poage

Ryan Poage & Co.

Teri L. Salach

Morgan Stanley Page 9

Matt Starkey

Aspyre Wealth Partners Page 7

Brian Taylor

Taylor’d Financial Services Page 9

Emily West

FCI Advisors Page 6

Stephen White

Summit Pointe Financial Group Page 11

Investments

Mark Allison

FCI Advisors Page 6

Stuart Berkley

FCI Advisors Page 6

James W. Boldt

O’Malley-Boldt Financial, LLC

Ethel J. Davis

VZD Capital Management LLC Page 8

Norman D. Grant

Grant Capital Page 5

Greg Alan Harvey

Integrated Wealth Solutions

Christopher Heckadon

Summit Pointe Financial Group Page 2

David J. Jackson

Modern Horizons Wealth Advisors Page 12

Frank Mall

FinanciaLife Outfitters Page 4

Pete Martinez

Insight Financial Services Page 3

Tony Moeller

MN Wealth Advisors Page 12

Matthew Montgomery

FCI Advisors Page 6

Richard Kevan Myers

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Craig Novorr

Paragon Capital Management, LLC Page 10

Kristin Patterson

FCI Advisors Page 6

Brian Perott

FCI Advisors Page 6

Paula D. Porsch

Paula Porsch Wealth Management Page 11

Joe Pribula

Intellego Investment Partners Page 10

Scott Sollars

FCI Advisors Page 6

Satu Stechschulte

FCI Advisors Page 6

Andrew Widman

Principal Financial Page 12

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfwealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: 2022: 1,670, 128, 8%, 1/1/22, 4/20/21 - 10/15/21; 2021: 1,678, 118, 7%, 1/1/21, 4/20/20 - 10/23/20; 2020: 1,579, 115, 7%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 - 11/13/19; 2019: 1,574, 134, 5/20/15 - 10/15/15; 2015: 1,572, 201, 13%, 12/1/14, 5/20/14 - 10/15/14; 2014: 785, 176, 22%, 12/1/13, 5/20/13 - 10/15/13; 2013: 766, 203, 27%, 12/1/12, 5/20/12Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any

WEALTH MANAGERS

Christopher Heckadon

Planning for a Better Tomorrow

Over 25 years of industry experience

Chris is the founder and managing partner of Summit Pointe Financial Group. Whether on the front lines of working with business owners or advocating for those who have little or no voice in financial decisions, Chris prides himself on seeing the firm’s clients reach financial success. He feels his greatest asset is the team he’s built around him, who work together to create customized plans for his clients.

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,897, 136, 7%, 1/1/24, 4/10/23 - 10/31/23; 2023: 1,843, 138, 7%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 - 10/21/22; 9%, 1/1/19, 5/11/18 - 11/27/18; 2018: 1,387, 119, 9%, 1/1/18, 5/17/17 - 11/30/17; 2017: 952, 212, 22%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 - 11/28/16; 2016: 880, 216, 25%, 11/1/15, 10/15/12; 2012: 676, 200, 30%, 11/1/11, 5/20/11 - 10/15/11.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the

Left to right: Alex Halsey; Terek Wilson, MBA, FSCP®, RICP®; Benny Stewart, RICP®; Thirteen-year winner Christopher Heckadon, CLU®, RICP®; Tim Alvarado, RICP®; Aaron Hughes

WEALTH MANAGERS

Pete Martinez

President, Private Wealth Manager

If you’re looking for experienced financial advisors who will listen to you and design a financial plan built around where you are today and where you want to go in retirement, we’re Insight Financial Services, and we would like to meet you. We will work closely with you to establish your objectives. We then place your dreams beside the reality of your assets, expenses, risk tolerance and tax situation to evaluate them on a practical timeline. Once we know who you are and where you want to go, we create and implement your customized financial strategy. Contact us today at 913-402-2020 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation second opinion service (S.O.S.) review. We hope to meet you soon!

• Using a personalized, client-centric model to produce tailored experiences for our clients

• Distinctive designations held by IFS staff members include Master of Business Administration (MBA), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Registered Financial Consultant (RFC®) and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA)

7101 College Boulevard, Suite 740

Overland Park, KS 66210

Phone: 913-402-2020

pmartinez@ifsadvisors.com • www.ifsadvisors.com www.facebook.com/InsightFinancialServices

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfwealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: 2022: 1,670, 128, 8%, 1/1/22, 4/20/21 - 10/15/21; 2021: 1,678, 118, 7%, 1/1/21, 4/20/20 - 10/23/20; 2020: 1,579, 115, 7%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 - 11/13/19; 2019: 1,574, 134, 5/20/15 - 10/15/15; 2015: 1,572, 201, 13%, 12/1/14, 5/20/14 - 10/15/14; 2014: 785, 176, 22%, 12/1/13, 5/20/13 - 10/15/13; 2013: 766, 203, 27%, 12/1/12, 5/20/12 -

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected

Left to right: Kelly Stephenson; Greg Keal; Tracy McCormick; Fourteen-year winner Pete Martinez; Robyn Horsley; Larry Broxterman; Lisa Meyer

WEALTH MANAGERS

Frank Mall

Financial

Advisor

Live

In early 1986, Frank Mall started a financial services practice with a simple philosophy: provide financial guidance based on each client’s needs and build long-term relationships to monitor and adjust the results of that guidance. More than three and a half decades later, that core philosophy is still fully employed day in and day out.

Frank believes that someone equipped with a well-thought-out financial road map can make well informed financial decisions. Our team works with each client to understand what they want to accomplish, when they want it accomplished and what resources are available. From there, a financial road map is developed for further discussion, with action being taken on the highest priorities.

As an advisor and the manager of client service and experience, Joy Mall joins in delivering the same philosophy. Andrea Snyder rounds out the team to ensure everyone has a friendly, positive experience, feeling individually valued and well cared for by the Outfitters’ team.

Helping outfit you:

• For key financial life decisions

• With objective tools and knowledge to keep you on a path toward success

• Through your journey with a long-term working relationship

6900 College Boulevard, Suite 520 • Overland Park, KS 66211 5921 NW Barry Road, Suite 200 • Kansas City, MO 64154 Phone: 816-888-5800 www.financialifeoutfitters.com

or Kovack Advisors, Inc.

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,897, 136, 7%, 1/1/24, 4/10/23 - 10/31/23; 2023: 1,843, 138, 7%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 - 10/21/22; 9%, 1/1/19, 5/11/18 - 11/27/18; 2018: 1,387, 119, 9%, 1/1/18, 5/17/17 - 11/30/17; 2017: 952, 212, 22%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 - 11/28/16; 2016: 880, 216, 25%, 11/1/15, 10/15/12; 2012: 676, 200, 30%, 11/1/11, 5/20/11 - 10/15/11.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com. This year, we honored 1 Kansas City-area investment professional with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

Left to right: Andrea Snyder; Thirteen-year winner Frank Mall; Joy Mall

Richly. Journey Confidently.

WEALTH MANAGERS

Norman D. Grant

Managing Director

Norman D. Grant started Grant Capital in the spring of 2022 after seeing the need for a quantitative-based financial approach for his clients. Prior to being managing director of Grant Capital, Norman served clients under the Edward Jones umbrella for seven years.

In the first few minutes of talking with Norman, you will quickly feel his passion for the markets. He has the energy, an authentic understanding of quantitative-based approaches and an unwavering focus on client-specific needs. Norman and his team are committed to efficient, personalized strategies for each client. Grant Capital takes pride in guiding clients through their financial journey, whether they are business owners looking for capital management options, institutions, or emerging high net worth or ultra high net worth families.

Norman has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he received his bachelor of science degree in engineering technology. He served with honor during Operation Joint Endeavor with the 1st Armored Division in Bosnia and was promoted to the rank of Captain during his military service.

Norman lives in a suburb of Kansas City with his family. He enjoys playing football with his sons and catching a great game on TV. He can always be heard cheering “Go Army!” during the ArmyNavy game in December.

• Commonwealth Financial Network’s Advisory Council and President’s Club

• Edward Jones Financial Advisors Leaders Conference, Reserved for the Top 1,200 Advisors

• 2025 Five Star Wealth Manager award winner

7101 College Boulevard, Suite 880 • Overland Park, KS 66210

Phone: 0913-361-8281 • norman@grantcapital.net www.grantcapital.net www.linkedin.com/in/norman-grant-managing-director-0458a63/

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfwealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: 2022: 1,670, 128, 8%, 1/1/22, 4/20/21 - 10/15/21; 2021: 1,678, 118, 7%, 1/1/21, 4/20/20 - 10/23/20; 2020: 1,579, 115, 7%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 - 11/13/19; 2019: 1,574, 134, 5/20/15 - 10/15/15; 2015: 1,572, 201, 13%, 12/1/14, 5/20/14 - 10/15/14; 2014: 785, 176, 22%, 12/1/13, 5/20/13 - 10/15/13; 2013: 766, 203, 27%, 12/1/12, 5/20/12 -

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected

Left to right: Carolyn Delaney; Michael Jensen; 2025 winner Norman D. Grant, Managing Director; Dereck Cochran; Clint Livingston; Rebecca Carow

WEALTH MANAGERS

Creating Peace of Mind Serving Your Investment and Wealth Planning Needs

• Financial solutions centered around you

• Premier investment advice

• Comprehensive wealth planning

• Individually tailored portfolios and services

• Experienced, credentialed professionals

At FCI Advisors, we collaborate with you to understand your financial goals and develop a wealth plan and investment strategy that best support your needs. Whether your goals include the preservation of wealth, growth of your portfolio, continuation of your legacy or planning for your family’s multigenerational financial success, FCI has the experienced professionals and breadth of investment solutions to help. Our firm’s 58-year heritage of accessibility, communication and transparency with our clients is paramount to the success of our enduring relationships and the firm.

5901 College Boulevard, Suite 110 • Overland Park, KS 66211 Phone: 913-663-0600 info@fciadvisors.com www.fciadvisors.com

to view a more complete explanation of our wealth

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,897, 136, 7%, 1/1/24, 4/10/23 - 10/31/23; 2023: 1,843, 138, 7%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 - 10/21/22; 9%, 1/1/19, 5/11/18 - 11/27/18; 2018: 1,387, 119, 9%, 1/1/18, 5/17/17 - 11/30/17; 2017: 952, 212, 22%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 - 11/28/16; 2016: 880, 216, 25%, 11/1/15, 10/15/12; 2012: 676, 200, 30%, 11/1/11, 5/20/11 - 10/15/11.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com. This year, we honored 1 Kansas City-area investment professional with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

WEALTH MANAGERS

Aspyre Wealth Partners®

Making Life Count!®

Are you:

• in the midst of a major life transition?

• maximizing your executive compensation?

• confident your resources align with your goals?

• too busy?

At Aspyre Wealth, we focus on you and your aspirations by taking a holistic approach to everything that impacts your finances.

Financial planning, investment management and career guidance are interconnected, helping you achieve more than a number.

We help you live well today, while planning for your future.

10000 College Boulevard, Suite 260 Overland Park, KS 66210

Phone: 913-345-1881

Matt: mstarkey@aspyrewealth.com Jessi: jchadd@aspyrewealth.com www.aspyrewealth.com

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfwealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: 2022: 1,670, 128, 8%, 1/1/22, 4/20/21 - 10/15/21; 2021: 1,678, 118, 7%, 1/1/21, 4/20/20 - 10/23/20; 2020: 1,579, 115, 7%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 - 11/13/19; 2019: 1,574, 134, 5/20/15 - 10/15/15; 2015: 1,572, 201, 13%, 12/1/14, 5/20/14 - 10/15/14; 2014: 785, 176, 22%, 12/1/13, 5/20/13 - 10/15/13; 2013: 766, 203, 27%, 12/1/12, 5/20/12Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected

Left to right: Back row: 2023 – 2025 winner Jessi Chadd, CFP®; Joni Lindquist, CFP®; Kolin Hayes; Hope Schuman; Sara Marinakis; Meghan Hein; Front row: Lesa Myers; Lucas Bucl, CFP®; 2012 – 2013, 2015 – 2019, 2021 – 2025 winner Matt Starkey, CFP®; Colleen Wysong-Starkey

WEALTH MANAGERS

8953 Mill Creek Road • Lenexa, KS 66219 Phone: 816-726-7066 info@vzdcap.com www.vzdcap.com

Financial Advisor; Justin Shelman, CFA, Vice President, Financial Advisor

Ethel J. Davis

VZD Capital Management, LLC is a boutique Registered Investment Advisory firm in the heart of Lenexa, Kansas. The firm provides customized, fee-based discretionary investment management services, financial consulting and coaching to help clients reach their goals and objectives. As an independent, fiduciary-driven firm, your financial health is our number one priority, not our compensation. Ethel J. Davis, Founder and CEO, is a seasoned professional distinguished by her unparalleled expertise, dedication to personal service and extensive industry experience within the Greater Kansas City Community. VZD believes in earning your business, trust and confidence by making you our priority.

VZD Capital Management, LLC is a Registered Investment Officer in Lenexa, Kansas. Ethel J. Davis is an independent advisor who complies with the current filing requirements imposed upon Registered Investment Advisers by the states where the Advisor maintains clients. Advisor may only transact business in those states in which it is registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Advisor’s web site is limited to the dissemination of general infrormation pertaining to its advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publication and links. Accordingly, the publication of Advisor’s web site on the internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as Advisor’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the internet. A copy of Advisor’s current written disclosure statement discussing Advisor’s business operations, services, and fees is available from Advisor upon written request.

Throughout his 40 years in the financial services industry, Pat Aubry has worked with families and individuals to transfer, grow and preserve their wealth. He is focused on providing personalized investment advice and exceptional client service. By coordinating his efforts with clients’ other trusted advisors, he develops and executes a disciplined plan, incorporating personal needs, financial objectives and risk tolerance tailored to help clients achieve their investment goals. His areas of focus

strategies and wealth transfer. Additionally, he is a

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,897, 136, 7%, 1/1/24, 4/10/23 - 10/31/23; 2023: 1,843, 138, 7%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 - 10/21/22; 9%, 1/1/19, 5/11/18 - 11/27/18; 2018: 1,387, 119, 9%, 1/1/18, 5/17/17 - 11/30/17; 2017: 952, 212, 22%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 - 11/28/16; 2016: 880, 216, 25%, 11/1/15, 10/15/12; 2012: 676, 200, 30%, 11/1/11, 5/20/11 - 10/15/11.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As

by FSP, the

manager has not; A. complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a

authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com. This year, we honored 1 Kansas City-area investment professional with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

Left to right: Nathan Salary; Eleven-year winner Ethel J. Davis, CEO, Chief Investment Officer; Nikisha L. Johnson

CEO, Chief Investment Officer

74 Madison Group at Morgan Stanley: Left to right: Emily Pittman, Senior Client Service Associate; Andy Fent, CFA, Vice President, Financial Advisor; 2020 – 2025 winner Pat Aubry, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor; Diane Lair, Portfolio Associate, Financial Planning Specialist; Ryan Lovill, CFP®, Vice President,

www.taylordfinancialservices.com

11161 Overbrook Road, Suite 225 Leawood, KS 66211

Phone: 913-402-5204 • Phone: 913-402-5281 teri.salach@morganstanley.com sheila.davis@morganstanley.com www.advisor.morganstanley.com/theplazagroupkc

• Family owned

• One-on-one partnership

• Individually customized financial plans

No two individuals are alike. Their financial plans shouldn’t be either. Whether you’re envisioning your retirement or already enjoying life after work, we meet you where you are and work to position you to achieve your unique goals. We work diligently to provide individuals and families with expert service and support in the framework of a family owned business focused on lasting relationships. Clients choose us to create personalized wealth management plans that better position them to experience financial security as they define it.

The Plaza

Group at Morgan Stanley

• Working through daily issues and life transitions, sharing all that life throws at you

• Helping you spend less time thinking about your finances and more time living your life

Teri, Sheila, Jen and Dave are The Plaza Group at Morgan Stanley, bringing together knowledge, insights and substantial experience. They combine their talents with the resources of Morgan Stanley to create a wealth management experience that is customized for you, where you will feel listened to and understood, which is always the most important part of their relationship. As a family team, we understand the value of families and the complexities of building and transitioning wealth.

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfwealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: 2022: 1,670, 128, 8%, 1/1/22, 4/20/21 - 10/15/21; 2021: 1,678, 118, 7%, 1/1/21, 4/20/20 - 10/23/20; 2020: 1,579, 115, 7%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 - 11/13/19; 2019: 1,574, 134, 5/20/15 - 10/15/15; 2015: 1,572, 201, 13%, 12/1/14, 5/20/14 - 10/15/14; 2014: 785, 176, 22%, 12/1/13, 5/20/13 - 10/15/13; 2013: 766, 203, 27%, 12/1/12, 5/20/12Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered Been

not be

of any

client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9.

Four-year winner Brian Taylor; Katrina Crites

Left to right: Jen L. Denning, CFP®, Financial Advisor; David M. Salach, Financial Advisor; 2019, 2021 – 2025 winner Teri L. Salach, CIMA, Wealth Advisor; 2017 – 2025 Sheila K. Davis, CFP®, Financial Advisor

WEALTH MANAGERS

Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 600 Overland Park, KS 66210 Phone: 913-451-6330 • Phone: 913-451-2254 cnovorr@paragoncap.com • www.paragoncap.com www.youtube.com/@paragoncap

Craig Novorr

• Traditional and private investments including private credit and private equity

• Separate account management for registered investment advisors

• Custom investments providing downside protection from market losses

• Alternative fixed income solutions providing income not tied to interest rates

Most financial advisors focus on financial planning and use simple asset allocation strategies to provide diversified investment portfolios. Paragon Capital Management focuses on asset management and goes above and beyond simple ETF or mutual fund strategies. Paragon creates custom portfolios to help clients achieve their goals, utilizing a variety of strategies, from individual securities, structured products, private credit, private equity and private real estate. Contact us for a unique investment experience.

Joe Pribula

Helping Clients Make Intelligent Decisions

Through a long-term investment approach, Joe and his team work with clients to implement strategies for building and preserving wealth. His mission is to provide objective and timely financial advice to assist his clients in realizing their goals. Joe is involved in many

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,897, 136, 7%, 1/1/24, 4/10/23 - 10/31/23; 2023: 1,843, 138, 7%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 - 10/21/22; 9%, 1/1/19, 5/11/18 - 11/27/18; 2018: 1,387, 119, 9%, 1/1/18, 5/17/17 - 11/30/17; 2017: 952, 212, 22%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 - 11/28/16; 2016: 880, 216, 25%, 11/1/15, 10/15/12; 2012: 676, 200, 30%, 11/1/11, 5/20/11 - 10/15/11.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment

Thirteen-year winner Craig Novorr, President, Chief Investment Officer

President, Chief Investment Officer

Left to right: Leslie Darrington, Financial Advisor; Kevin Scott; Charlie Schorgl, Financial Advisor, Managing Director – Investments; 2016 – 2022, 2024 and 2025 winner Joe Pribula, CFP®, Managing Partner, Financial Advisor; Kim Pieper, Senior Registered Client Service Associate

Stephen White

What Is Important to You and How Can I Help You

Helping good folks like you preserve and protect your assets, values, lifestyle, faith, and the people you care about is my highest priority. I strive to help you discover and implement actions that will make your intentions a reality. Utilizing a planning process designed to educate, organize and prepare clients for the inevitable financial challenges of life means I invest the time required to understand and value each client’s personal and financial goals, turning their desires into a concrete plan of action.

Grand Avenue, Suite 240 • Kansas City, MO 64112 Phone: 816-221-1606 • pporsch@paulaporsch.com www.paulaporsch.com

Paula D. Porsch

Together Through Life

With more than 35 years of financial, tax, accounting and real estate experience, Paula is dedicated to providing clients with the finest individually tailored approach to wealth management. Drawing on her experience and national resources, Paula develops personalized, strategic plans to address the complex needs of individuals and families with substantial wealth.

In 2009, Paula founded Paula Porsch Wealth Management, a Kansas City-based independent financial advisory practice to assist wealthy individuals and families manage, grow, protect and distribute their wealth. Now in its 15th year, the firm has developed a reputation of working closely with its clients to establish customized wealth management strategies that are designed to meet client expectations, long-term goals, diversification of risk, and quality delivery.

Adviser Representative offering advisory services and securities through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Broker-Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Paula Porsch Wealth Management is an independent company separate from Cetera.

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfwealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: 2022: 1,670, 128, 8%, 1/1/22, 4/20/21 - 10/15/21; 2021: 1,678, 118, 7%, 1/1/21, 4/20/20 - 10/23/20; 2020: 1,579, 115, 7%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 - 11/13/19; 2019: 1,574, 134, 5/20/15 - 10/15/15; 2015: 1,572, 201, 13%, 12/1/14, 5/20/14 - 10/15/14; 2014: 785, 176, 22%, 12/1/13, 5/20/13 - 10/15/13; 2013: 766, 203, 27%, 12/1/12, 5/20/12 -

subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to

2025 winner Stephen White, Finanical Advisor, RICP®

Left to right: Linda McCaffrey, Administrative Assistant; 2025 winner Paula D. Porsch

CDFA®

WEALTH MANAGERS

6800 W 115 th Street, Suite 3511

Overland Park, KS 66211

Phone: 913-897-2074

tmoeller@mnwealthadvisors.com www.mnwealthadvisors.com

David J. Jackson

LPL Financial Advisor, CFP®, CMFC®

1900 W 47 th Place, Suite 320 Westwood, KS 66205 Phone: 816-548-4155

djjackson@mhwealthkc.com mhwealthkc.com

Financial Services, Tailored to You

and financial advisor at Modern Horizons Wealth Advisors, bringing over 29 years of industry experience. Dedicated to advancing financial literacy, he has been featured in numerous national and local media outlets, including Black Enterprise magazine, Michelle Singletary’s “The Color of Money” column, and InvestmentNews. Additionally, he has been a regular guest on local television and radio programs, offering professional financial guidance and timely insights. David serves a diverse clientele, including families, small business owners and non-profit organizations, with a focus on fostering generational wealth.

and Advisory services

(with

through LPL Financial. A registered investment advisor. Member FINRA & SIPC.

MN Wealth Advisors

• As a fee-based fiduciary, we are passionate about protecting and growing your wealth

• We use advanced tax-planning and investment strategies to limit risk and maximize returns Your Future, Invested

Tony combines his past accounting background with over 37 years as a registered investment advisor. Tony and his team have experience working with individuals, business owners, doctors, retirees and qualified retirement plans using simple tools, direct communication and absolute integrity, which has made the firm successful. With a fee-based environment, this assures you that investment recommendations and management of your funds are completely objective.

MN Wealth Advisors, LLC (“MN Wealth”) is an SEC registered investment adviser located in Overland Park, KS. A copy of the MN Wealth current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available upon request.

is a Financial Advisor with the Principal® Financial Network, offering wealth management, retirement planning and insurance solutions through Principal Securities Inc. Andrew Widman Financial Advisor

11101 Switzer Road, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS 66210 Phone: 913-205-4500

widman.andrew@principal.com

A WEALTH MANAGER

can help with retirement planning, legal planning, estate planning, banking services, philanthropic planning and risk management.

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,897, 136, 7%, 1/1/24, 4/10/23 - 10/31/23; 2023: 1,843, 138, 7%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 - 10/21/22; 9%, 1/1/19, 5/11/18 - 11/27/18; 2018: 1,387, 119, 9%, 1/1/18, 5/17/17 - 11/30/17; 2017: 952, 212, 22%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 - 11/28/16; 2016: 880, 216, 25%, 11/1/15, 10/15/12; 2012: 676, 200, 30%, 11/1/11, 5/20/11 - 10/15/11.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com. This year, we honored 1 Kansas City-area investment professional with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

MORE

Left to right: Jill Green; Scott Schaeffer; 2012, 2013, 2015 – 2025 winner Tony Moeller, Partner, Chief Compliance Officer; 2017 and 2018 winner Matt Ahrens; Michelle Lucero

WEALTH MANAGERS

Wealth Managers

Vestana Von Achen Ahlen Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Rick Bain Lighthouse Financial Strategies

James Bradley Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Ryan Wayne Brooke Searcy Financial Services, Inc.

Michael Eugene Brun Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Brent A. Caswell Normandy Investment Advisors

Sandra Lynn Chism Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

John Paul Chladek Chladek Wealth Management

Scott Patrick Connors V Wealth Management

Charles Sherwood Cooper Strongbox Wealth

Steven Thomas Cox Jr. Providence Financial Advisors

Steven Thomas Cox Sr. Providence Financial Advisors

Jessica Ann Culpepper Creative Planning

Joseph Patrick DeLargy Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

William Todd Easley Prosperity Advisory Group

John Christopher Fales Searcy Financial Services, Inc.

Evan Federman Principal Financial

Brett Michael Flood LPL Financial

Jaime Gaona LFS Wealth Advisors

Austin Wesley Gates Morgan Stanley

Clark Stevens Gay Visionary Wealth Advisors

Nicholas John Gertsema Gertsema Wealth Advisors

Ken Arthur Gilpin Sound Investments

Bruce Glenn Rally Wealth & Benefits

Jared Mark Gudenkauf Merrill Lynch

James A. Guyot LFS Wealth Advisors

Todd A. Haynes RBC Wealth Management

Brian Lee Heithoff Mariner Wealth Advisors

Len Henry Hempen Planners For Financial Success

Aaron Steven Herwig Gen4 Wealth Advisors

Adam Gregory Hoopes Creative Planning

Steve Colburn Hoover Wealth Partners Corporation

Kyle Richard Hummer Morgan Stanley

Brigid Anne Jones-Mook Creative Planning

Sam Irby Jordan Synergy Wealth Solutions

Brian Nelson Kaufman Prairie Capital Management Group, LLC

Wendall Alan Kennedy ON Investment Management Co.

James Curtis Knapp Knapp Family Wealth

Troy Lee Kuhn Creative Planning

Christina LiVecchi Wells Fargo Advisors

John Tempel Ludwig Morgan Stanley

Matthew Maciel Maciel Wealth Management

Christine M. Malmgren Morgan Stanley

Brad Germain Masek MML Investors

Erica Droste Massman Index Wealth Advisors

Daniel Neal Mathews Creative Planning

Michael Richard McCaw Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Scott A. McMillen Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Ryan W. McQueary Morgan Stanley

R. Brook Menees Instrumental Advisors, Inc.

Susanne R. Meyer Nicholson Meyer Capital Management

John Michael Nauman Osaic Institutions, Inc.

David James Neihart Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Jeffrey Alan Nelson Lincoln Financial Advisors

Jennifer Dawson Nicholson Nicholson Meyer Capital Management

Michael George O’Neill Mariner Wealth Advisors

David Gregory Pacer Infinitas

Vince Ian Pastorino Buttonwood Financial Group, LLC

Jerry Leon Perfect Infinitas

Alex Michael Petrovic III Petrovic Financial Services

James Anthony Powers Cambridge Investment Research

Mark David Rabin LPL Financial

Randall Paul Rhyner Smith Moore

Thomas C. Riordan Morgan Stanley

Domenic Rizzi Reliant Financial Services

Mark Ronald Roberts Affinity Asset Management

Angela Diane Robinson Robinson Wealth Advisors

Matthew Scott Sayers FCS Private Wealth Management

Jeffrey A. Schoenekase Principal Financial

Andrew D. Scianna Core Concepts

Samuel Robert Scott Creative Planning

Jessica Ann Searcy Kmetty Searcy Financial Services, Inc.

Marc Clinton Shaffer

Searcy Financial Services, Inc.

John Shepley Kornitzer Capital Management

Bryson C. Slater Petrovic Financial Services

Mitchell Lane Smith Buttonwood Financial Group, LLC

Carra Denece Sprague Morgan Stanley

Matthew Ryan Thompson Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Jeffrey Alan Tudas

Normandy Investment Advisors

Brandon Alan Turner Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Park Ulrich Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Kaylynn Delaney Watts Creative Planning

Brad B. Welch

Morgan Stanley

Amy Renae White Prairie Ridge Asset Management, LLC

Ryan Gregory Widrig

Morgan Stanley

Richard Edgar Witherspoon Reliant Financial Services

John Morris Ye

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Investment Professional

Tyler Jessup

Convergence CPA’s, LLC

This award was issued on 01/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 04/10/2024 through 10/31/2024. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Selfcompleted questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,000 Kansas City-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 121 (6% of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be

NESTLED IN THE rolling Flint Hills is a ranch with some of the most prized cattle in the world. Dave Dreiling, owner of Booth Creek Wagyu markets, raises wagyu cattle in his recently built farm-to-fork operation and sells it in his four Kansas-based retail shops. Dreiling’s most recent store just opened in Prairie Village (5328 W. 95th St., Prairie Village). Traditionally, wagyu beef comes from a breed of cattle raised in Japan. Most wagyu you try in America is, well, American wagyu—a crossbreed of the highly prized Japanese cattle with Black Angus. The American version is still insanely tender and marbled with tons of beautiful fat, but Japanese wagyu genetics reign supreme in the culinary world.

Photography by Tammy Karin

Booth Creek Wagyu Is Changing the Way We Eat Beef

By Tyler Shane

Booth Creek Wagyu offers both. The ranching operation also uses innovative technology that analyzes each beef carcass for an exact percentage of fat marbling and labels each cut with this specification. Dreiling wants shopping for wagyu to be similar to picking out a bottle of wine or whiskey. What flavor profile are you looking for? Percentages range anywhere from 20 to 40 percent marbling. However, if you want to be a purist about it, anything labeled “BC40” comes from full-blood Japanese wagyu. Head to any Booth Creek Wagyu store (boothcreekwagyu.com) and you’ll discover refrigerated cases lined with more beef cuts than you can imagine. Dreiling recommends the Delmonico, a cut most people aren’t familiar with, for its lower price point but great fat content.

To this food critic’s dismay, restaurant Triune is truly ‘a vibe’

By Tyler Shane Photography by Pilsen Photo Coop

ORMALLY, WHEN I hear a food influencer describe their restaurant experience with the phrase “it’s a vibe,” I want to throw my phone into the Missouri River. But as I sit at Triune, an exciting fine-casual restaurant that recently opened in the Westside’s former Screenland Armour Theatre building, I struggle to find a more fitting description. With exposed brick here and there, a large wall collage made of torn pages from art magazines and views of the Kauffman Center, Triune definitely has a vibe.

Our server, a clear hospitality industry veteran, is cool, calm and collected as she leads us through the menu, answering questions and giving us recommendations. At her guidance, I order a mezcal cocktail, and she heads back to the emerald tiled bar lined with mustard-yellow leather seats. The bar stands in front of a large brick wall aged by faded patches of paint that hint at the building’s past incarnations as a theater and, before that, a cold storage warehouse. I can’t help but notice the industrial gray chairs at each table. They’re oddly comfortable, almost chic, especially for being purchased from an out-of-business Payless ShoeSource sale. The atmospheric buzz is akin to the feel of a hot-spot restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop, a sort of everyone-who’s-anyone moment.

Our server returns with the drink. The smoky mezcal is pleasantly rounded out with honey, rosemary and clarified watermelon, and I must acquiesce to the obvious: For all intents and purposes, Triune is a vibe.

Owner Steven Blakley alluded to this phrase, although more eloquently so, when I interviewed him prior to Triune’s opening. His goal was to create “vibrational dining” by combining three important elements (hence, the restaurant’s name). Triune (pronounced try-oohn) means three in one, or a trinity in unity. By curating a lively atmosphere, stellar hospitality and delicious food and drink, an exceptional restaurant experience should be the result. So far, Triune excels at atmosphere and hospitality. The food remains a work in progress.

Triune is the first restaurant to open in the former Screenland Armour building bought by Denver developer Ken Wolf in 2021. His goal is to turn the building into a restaurant destination. It’s also the second brick-and-mortar to open under Blakley’s restaurant group UHungry?, the first being Sauced, an easily overlooked but fantastic burger stand tucked away in the Crossroads.

Blakley has a knack for recruiting people at the top of their game in the industry, like his Sauced co-owner Jayaun Smith, a notable local chef who consistently collaborates with Chiefs players to advertise game-day eats. Triune’s bar manager is Evelyn Torres-Chico, who previously worked at the Crossroads Hotel, and Whitney Coleman, the maitre’d, brings experience from the Crossroads Hotel and the former Rieger restaurant.

Triune’s chef Rodolfo Rodriguez, who cut his teeth at meat-forward establishments like Blu Hwy and The Capital Grille, has created an American fusion menu. Mainly composed of appetizers and shareables with a handful of larger entrees, it offers grilled octopus, Cubano sliders, elotes (commonly referred to as Mexican street corn), and shrimp and grits all on the same page. Right below the offering of Mediterranean-inspired meatballs sits a smashburger appetizer.

There’s nothing wrong with a menu that offers a little something for everyone, but with consistent mistakes, like lack of salt and dry meat, plaguing otherwise great dishes, it’s possible the kitchen is in over its head.

More often than not, proteins were cooked well, but their accompaniments were lacking. The parsnip puree and espresso orange demi-glace that accompanied the short ribs were disappointingly sparse. That, and the roasted duck, could have shined if they’d only had more salt. The scallops, though seared to a beautiful crisp golden brown on each side, sat on a bed of diced squash that also needed salt, and their non-uniform dicing meant some were overcooked while others were al dente.

Foods that was supposed to be crispy, like the skin on the duck and the chickpeas with the scallops, weren’t, and although the pork in the Cubano sliders was delicious, it was overshadowed by hefty, dry buns (Blakley says they’re working on standardizing the recipe).

There were some solid hits throughout the menu, though. The wine poached pear salad with goat cheese was just plain delightful, the mascarpone crab dip was gooey and satisfying, and the elotes, served as quartered charred cobs and drizzled with jalapeno crema and a chililime salt, were an innovative take on a trending dish. Homey dishes given an upscale twist, like the deviled eggs topped with old-fashioned cured salmon and house fries served with saffron aioli, feel like Triune is giving us what we want in a way we didn’t know we wanted.

The kofta meatballs are the menu’s standout star. Paired with whipped goat cheese and pineapple chutney, the meatballs were excellent, and the combination managed to almost mask the dry meatballs. Call me an optimist, but even with the hit-or-miss menu, I have confidence that Blakley’s team can adjust and fine tune to get to where they need to be.

In our interview prior to Triune’s opening, I seriously wondered how Blakley was going to bring “vibrational dining” to fruition. He wants Triune to deliver a dining experience not common in KC—a fluid experience that expertly traverses the space between casual and upscale. After hanging in Triune the past month, I think I get it. There aren’t many places like it. Triune is probably most comparable to the likes of Michael Smith’s Extra Virgin in the Crossroads, maybe even The Campground in the West Bottoms. It’s cool and dedicated to its artful, stylish and sophisticated atmosphere while still prioritizing great hospitality.

Sure, there are spots like Novel and Fox and Pearl that prioritize chef-driven food while being open to the casual dining experience, but Triune manages to be different. This local, chef-driven restaurant is more than a vibe. It’s vibrant. It has the flexibility to be a stop along the way on a night out, maybe before you head to the Kauffman or a show at Grinders. Maybe you grab a drink at Bar Medici then walk to Triune for dinner. There’s excitement in the air at Triune, and once the kitchen figures out the kinks, the formula of three becoming one will be complete.

LEFT PAGE, CLOCKWISE: Footloose and Fancy cocktail, pistachio salted caramel tart, grilled octopus and roasted duck.

Chicken and Ale

This chicken joint has crafted the perfect beer pairing

By Ryan Reed

STRIP’S CHICKEN, now with a third location open in Lenexa, claims to serve a bespoke beer deliberately crafted to be enjoyed with their “broasted” dishes. In fact, owner Todd Johnson, who opened his first Strip’s Chicken restaurant in 2016, says its 59 Diner Amber Ale is “perhaps the first beer created to pair well with fried chicken.”

If you don’t know what it means to “broast” a chicken, don’t feel bad—neither did we. The process involves pressure cooking the bird in oil first to retain moisture and then ending with a shallow-frying finish for a crispy breading. Maybe it’s a portmanteau of braising and roasting; maybe it’s not. Either way, this specially crafted beer by Vine Street Brewing, KC’s first Black-owned brewery, was designed to pair nicely with Strip’s chicken. And it does.

Johnson named the amber ale as a nod to his grandmother, Virginia, and their lineage of “chickeneering,” which winds all the way back to the 59 Diner just south of Erie, Kansas. The 59 Diner claims to have served some of the first broasted chicken in the area, and the 59 Diner Broasted Amber Ale is an homage to this signature dish.

Amber ales use grain roasted longer than traditional lager or pale ale brewing, and this cooked malt gives the beer rich, toasty notes and its eponymous dark-ferrous coloring. The 59 Diner tastes “broasted,” and that strong flavor comes through over a nicely light beer. The roast of the ale plays well with the pepper in the breading, and the light body leaves plenty of room for a lot of chicken. The only thing more fun than enjoying this dance is imagining the hours of trial and error it took to choreograph.

Little Suzy

By John Martellaro

IT WAS THE kind of dream that could only arise in Kansas City.

Suzanne “Little Suzy” Guenther, a culinary professional in Kansas City, was preparing to move to Germany with her German-born husband. She knew exactly what she wanted to do when she got there: open a classic Kansas City barbecue/Southern “juke joint” with live music in the land of wurst und schnitzel.

She started small, with a food truck crafted from what had been a wurstbud, the German equivalent of a hot dog stand. That was in 2008. She always intended to open a sit-down restaurant, though the plan accelerated when a collision with a tractor trailer totaled the food truck. Today, she operates Little Suzy’s Smoke Shack BBQ in Frankfurt, Germany, in a former Hooters. She serves brisket, ribs, burnt ends and Southern-style sides such as collard greens and buttermilk biscuits to diners grooving to live classic American roots music.

She believes it just might be the only true Kansas City style barbecue on the continent.

“I’ve been told it’s the best barbecue in Europe,” Guenther says. “I don’t know about that, but it is definitely the most authentic.”

Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, she made a triumphant return to her Kansas City roots with a one-day Little Suzy’s pop-up at the Glass Cat Cafe in Bonner Springs, owned by her longtime friend Stephanie Cashion. The menu was the same as what she serves in Frankfurt, and from this diner’s point of view, Guenther does her hometown proud. The meat was smoky, moist and deftly seasoned. Her sauce leans just a bit on the vinegar end of the classic KC spectrum, but it’s well balanced with sweet tomato. She also makes her own salt-fermented garlic dill pickles.

“The Germans like sweet pickles, and that just doesn’t go with barbecue,” she says.

Guenther says her customer base is a good mix of American expats and Germans.

“People from the American consulate, and soldiers, come in droves,” she says. “We’ve also got a pretty good local following,” though Germans often face a bit of a learning curve, she says. “A lot of them have never had beef brisket and they don’t know buttermilk biscuits.”

Getting the hardwood she wanted was a challenge at first.

“There’s no hickory, and for a long time I couldn’t get oak, so I started with maple, cherry and ash,” Guenther says. “Right now, I’m using primarily oak. Now, I’m going to say something controversial. As long as you’re using a good, clean hardwood, I challenge anyone to tell what kind of wood you’re using, unless it’s hickory or mesquite.”

Guenther and Cashion met when they were both enrolled in the acclaimed culinary program at Johnson County Community College in the 1990s. They went on to work together for a time at the classic fine dining restaurant Starker’s on the Country Club Plaza before Guenther headed off to Germany. Cashion worked in several Kansas City restaurants before she opened the Glass Cat, a breakfast-and-lunch cafe (11657 Kaw Drive, Bonner Springs).

Tables and Tableaus

Chef Ted Habiger is breathing new life into the Kemper Museum’s restaurant

By Tyler Shane

THE KEMPER MUSEUM of Contemporary Art’s restaurant, formerly known as Café Sebastienne, was most notably helmed by its original chef, Jennifer Maloney, who ran the kitchen for two decades before her passing in 2016. Since then, chefs have come and gone. So when chef and restaurateur Ted Habiger was approached to take over the museum’s kitchen, he knew what had to be done—end Café Sebastienne and start a brand-new restaurant from scratch.

“We needed to respect the legacy of Café Sebastienne and Jennifer Maloney by ending it,” Habiger says. “We needed to make a new name, start renovations, fix some of the challenges with the sound. Just launch a whole new restaurant.”

TED

That new restaurant is Oil on Linen, which Habiger owns and operates. It officially opened in November with a new look—contemporary and art-forward, of course. Operating a restaurant within a museum is a first for Habiger, but he’s been making the connection between food and art for a while now.

The Brookside native is the chef and owner of not only Room 39, a restaurant that’s practically a 39th Street institution at this point, but also Ánima, an open-fire gastronomy restaurant in Yucatan, Mexico. It’s there that he also runs an artist residency program, Casa Ocea.

“One of the things I’ve noticed with artists is that they love food,” Habiger says.

HABIGER’S PERFECT DAY IN KC

Lunch

One of my favorite places to eat is El Pollo Rey on Independence Avenue. I love the simplicity of the menu. I also get this humbling experience of all that wood smoke, which reminds me of my restaurant in Mexico. I always get a Mexican coke and an avocado with my meal.

Walks with the Pups I love going on walks with my dog. I have a Great Dane and a rescue from Mexico. The walks through the Henry Moore Sculpture Garden are wonderful.

Baseball

I’m a big baseball guy. I love pitching. That’s my kind of baseball game—fast and quick. A perfect day would be going to a Royals game and sitting right behind home plate watching the pitcher.

Date Night

Novel and The Antler Room are some of my favorite places. The Antler Room was where I went on my first date with my wife. I love Nick and Leslie’s food. I get jealous sometimes. They’re talented people.

So when the Kemper’s current featured artist, Lucía Vidales, a painter from Mexico City, came to the museum recently, the chef picked her brain for inspiration to create an Oil on Linen menu item.

The result was a quesadilla, one of Vídales’ favorite foods, filled with butternut squash puree, huitlacoche (which is essentially delicious corn fungus) and lots of queso Oaxaca. Vídales’ installation, Hambre, and the quesadilla, are both available at the Kemper until the end of February.

As for the rest of the menu, it’s inspired by Habiger’s experiences traveling and cooking in Mexico. The chef plans to keep it seasonal and change the menu every two to four months. Maybe the new menu will be inspired by the museum’s next featured artist; maybe not.

Oil on Linen is also offering dinner Thursday nights, the same night the museum stays open late—something the restaurant hasn’t done in years.

Another once-permanent fixture in Café Sebastienne, Matthew Ritchie’s Experienced Time painting that had hung on its east wall for more than 20 years, was replaced. The new piece, Set In Place (Mis En Place) is by KC-based artist Kevin Townsend.

Chef Habiger isn’t trying to return the Kemper’s restaurant to its former glory. Café Sebastienne’s era has ended, and Oil on Linen begins a new chapter, he says.

Newsfeed

What’s new in Kansas City food and drink

Mildred’s Is on a Roll

By Tyler Shane

The family-owned breakfast and lunch spot Mildred’s, a KC favorite for the past 30 years, continues to expand. A third location in the South Plaza’s former Mission Taco Joint (5060 Main St., KCMO) was just added.

The third location maintains Mildred’s usual comfy, cozy coffee bar eatery vibes and will have the same delicious items, plus a few new ones.

However, there are a few exciting new elements at the South Plaza site.

The new space is the biggest of Mildred’s restaurants and features two stories. The mezzanine includes plenty of extra seating with power outlets for those looking for a private space to work. Near the register, a designated pick-up area with cubbies houses takeout orders.

One of the most exciting new elements is the coffee bar’s La Marzocco espresso machine, which is the first of its kind in KC. The machine is a collaboration between La Marzocco and Mahlkönig, the brand of the built-in coffee grinder. The machine features new technology with a “smart” system. The espresso machine and grinder communicate via WiFi to share detailed data about the espresso extraction and make adjustments to the grind throughout the day to ensure the espresso coffee tastes great every time.

For those of us with parking anxiety, there’s a dedicated parking garage to the north of Mildred’s. Bring your parking ticket inside and a Mildred’s employee will validate it.

Ethiopian Hot Spot

By Joyce Smith

At this new Northland spot, customers can have a traditional Ethiopian breakfast all day, along with traditional entrees, appetizers and desserts.

Native Ethiopians and Northlanders Obse Lamesa and Lalise Terefe combined forces, making their dream of owning an Ethiopian restaurant a reality.

The duo remodeled a space in the former Northland Kmart complex and named it J&K Ethiopian Restaurant (7104 N.W. Prairie View Road, KCMO)—the initials of their oldest daughters’ first names.

They also serve traditional Ethiopian coffee and tea, fresh ginger tea and birz (made with fermented honey), along with desserts such as baklava.

Lucky Penny

By Joyce Smith

Owning her own restaurant had long been a dream of Wan Phen “Penny” Mufuka. Now she has five.

The newest one, simply known as Penny’s in the Village, is now open in the The Shops of Prairie Village (4160 W. 71st St., Prairie Village).

Mufuka, 57, immigrated from Thailand in 1994 and worked for area restaurants—moving up the ranks from busing tables to being a chef. She married Doug Mufuka in 2013, and together they opened Thai House (9938 Holmes Road, KCMO).

But Penny’s dream also included a rooftop bar and outdoor patio. So next, they opened Bamboo Penny’s in Park Place (5270 W. 116th Place, Leawood) in 2021 with both a rooftop bar and patio. After that came Aqua Penny’s (11652 Ash St., Leawood).

A few more restaurants later and now there’s Penny’s in the Village, which will specialize in Thai street food and shared plates to make it a community gathering place.

Being Neighborly

By Joyce Smith

Two couples living in the Marlborough neighborhood of south Kansas City are combining their passions: coffee and helping children aging out of foster care.

Pastor Justin Roberts and his wife Samantha Roberts are joining forces with pastor Jordan Weaver and his wife Samantha Weaver to

open Neighbors Coffee and Hospitality together. This shop will not only be a community hub serving freshly brewed coffee but will also provide services to foster care children entering adulthood.

The Roberts, who adopted their son Zeke out of foster care, have seen firsthand the many issues that face teenagers as they leave the system—homelessness, lack of employment opportunities and more.

The Weavers, who have worked in specialty coffee for more than three years, often shared with the Roberts how much they love the coffee industry community. It’s about “how much we enjoy people and enjoy serving,” Sam Weaver says.

The nonprofit will roast its own beans for its coffee drinks, serve pastries from a local bakery and sell locally made ceramic mugs. When the physical location opens, the partners will offer apprenticeships to youth aging out of the foster care system, teaching them life skills.

The program will include helping the youth create resumes, coaching them for job interviews and passing on good business practices from customer service to shop upkeep. Participants will be paid minimum wage during the six-month apprenticeship. Then, based on their goals and the needs of the shop, their employment there could continue, or the Neighbors Coffee partners will help them find jobs.

The shop is under construction (8135 The Paseo, KCMO) and is set for a planned spring opening.

Isn’t It Grand

By Tyler Shane

Locally owned coffee shops are few and far between in Grandview. That’s why ASE Coffee, the city’s newest swanky coffee shop and bar, is a breath of fresh air.

Located off 71 Highway and Highgrove Road, ASE (1800 Highgrove Road, Grandview) is in the same building as the chiropractic office of the shop’s owner, Nate Thomas.

The ASE coffee shop is spacious—about 3,500 square feet—with deep-green painted walls, a high ceiling and a stage for live music. Customers are greeted by a large marble coffee bar with brews by Peregrine Coffee Roasters. Pastries from Fox and Bull Baking Co. (another Grandview gem) are also available.

ASE is building its bar program. Christian Moscoso, director of operations at The Monarch Bar, and Stephen Montez, The Monarch Bar’s general manager, have helped Thompson create several cocktails, like a cold brew martini and spiced peach margarita.

What and Where Am I?

It looks like a massive alien head that should be hidden somewhere in Area 52, but it’s not. Do you know where this classic geodesic dome is?

We want to hear your clever responses. Send them to editor@kansascitymag.com.

Last issue, we highlighted a kitschy fiberglass stagecoach that was originally made for a UMB Bank branch in OP in 1971 and was moved to Independence as part of the city’s public art program. We received lots of responses from readers remembering it at its original location and some knowing it had been moved to Independence.

surreal estate

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

By Sophia Lacy

IF YOU FIND yourself confronted by a towering wall of books while walking along W. 10th Street, don’t worry—you did not fall down the rabbit hole.

The impressive row of 25-foot-tall and 9-foot-wide books lining the south facade of the downtown Kansas City Public Library’s parking garage is the result of a 20-year-old library renovation. Known as The Community Bookshelf, the public art project was the brainchild of Jonathan Kemper, who served on the Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2022 and is now the library’s Operations Committee chair.

The library acquired the First National Bank building, now known as the Central Library (14 W. 10th St., KCMO) and began renovating it in 2004. Kemper and members of the library’s fundraising committee worked with Dimensional Innovations, an integrated design firm, and two Kansas City-based architecture firms to develop the garage’s design. It was Kemper who suggested the bookcase theme. With the concept established, Kemper and the library reached out to the community.

“When I reflect on this now, every effort was made to seek and accept input from library staff and the larger community,” Kemper says. “I knew that we had 22 ‘spines’

available and wanted to bring true diversity to represent the library’s fundamental mission of community service through access to information and culture to all.”

While many of the 42 titles splashed across the 22 spines are well-known classics, such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Catch-22, the library board also wanted to pay homage to Kansas City. There are two volumes in the facade named Kansas City Stories that showcase multiple titles, such as Buck O’Neil’s autobiography I Was Right On Time.

To ensure a textured and colorful appearance, the library’s rare book collection located in the Linda Hall Library was used as inspiration in the facade’s design.

“[We had] free access to select several dozen books with distinctive bindings to use as models for the final images,” Kemper says. The team photographed and enhanced the bindings and used digital software to replace original titles with new ones.

The wall of books has fast become a Kansas City showpiece, and the library is discussing expanding The Community Bookshelf to the garage’s other sides.

by Ian Simmons

Photography