Kansas City magazine November 2024

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

We meet up with KC native and author Gillian Flynn

Built to care. Driven to cure.

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‘TIS THE SEASONING!

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

ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR

Molly Higgins

FOOD EDITOR

Tyler Shane

MUSIC EDITOR

Nina Cherry

ADVERTISING SALES

Angie Henshaw and Bob Ulmer

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Alex Healey

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Dominique Parsow

COPY EDITOR

Kelsie Schrader

WEB COORDINATOR

Madison Russell

EDITORIAL INTERN

Alexandra Mattsson

ART INTERNS

Gio McGlothan and Teddy Rosen

WRITERS

Nina Cherry, Shauna Gilden, Molly Higgins, David Hodes, Nicole Kinning, Anne Kniggendorf, Sophia Lacy, John Martellaro, Alexandra Mattsson, Ryan Reed, Ian Ritter, Joyce Smith, Hampton Stevens and Kyle Wisecarver

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Zach Bauman, Samantha Levi, Laura Morsman, Pilsen Photo Co-op, Kelly Powell, Ian Simmons and Jeremey Theron Kirby

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

50 Cover Story Breaking Boundaries:

KC fashion designer Cory Infinite defies the norm

36 Stealthy Influencers Ten power players not on your radar

We

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Oyster Season

The five best places to find these bivalve treasures

Dark-Twist Queen

talk to Gone Girl novelist and KC native Gillian Flynn

Dr. Jeffrey Lenius is an expert in Invisalign® and braces for children, teenagers and adults. Recognized as 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 brand new office in Overland Park. First consult is complimentary! No referral needed.

913-357-1212

Fan Disobedience

An anonymous donor recently gave genuine Super Bowl rings to a group of Chiefs fans who were responsible for Arrowhead’s 2012 “blackout.” Some credit this event for forcing management to make roster changes, turning the Chiefs around. Read all about it here…

We’re having more than just a moment

IT STARTED EVEN before that Taylor Swift thing. Friends of mine from cities considered much more hip and definitely bigger than KC were texting me about the city, telling me they had just read an article or seen an Instagram post about someone doing something pretty amazing here.

I started noticing an uptick in comments in 2020, when the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl since 1970. Right around that same time, St. Luke’s Hospital was mentioned by then-President Donald Trump in his State of the Union address for successfully delivering one of the nation’s earliest premature babies, who by then was a thriving two-year-old.

At the time, a friend of mine, who splits her time between Los Angeles and New York, sent me a text. “KC is definitely having a moment,” she wrote. She decided to make a pit stop a few months later. I took her around to all the usual spots. But what did she like best? A cow-wrangling competition at the American Royal upon which we just happened to stumble. To her, it was fresh, exotic and something she had never seen before. She couldn’t believe our luck.

It was definitely a KC moment.

And KC seems to keep having these moments. The city was named a top destination to hit in 2024 by the likes of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. People are taking notice of the metro’s organizations and places, such as the Current soccer team and its dedicated stadium; the new nationally lauded immersive children’s museum Down The Rabbit Hole; the development of the Berkeley waterfront; that new, huge

Laura Morsman

Photographer

Photographer and Kansas City native

Laura Morsman shot clothing designer Cory Infinite for this issue’s cover and inside spread. Morsman has been an editorial photographer for more than a decade, working in both Austin, Texas, and Kansas City. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Cosmopolitan and People magazine.

ferris wheel looming over the freeway; and the World Cup soccer match coming in 2026.

Then, of course, there’s Taylor Swift. We can’t deny the Taylor Swift effect. At press time, an Instagram post we made of her walking into a Chiefs game had 5,500 likes and had been shared 420 times.

There are a lot of things happening here and a lot of people making them happen. In this issue, we take a look at a few of the metro’s power players, such as Trevor Vance, the Royals’ head groundskeeper, and Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, president of the West Bottoms Business District, who are working behind the scenes to make things happen. There’s also Mike Meyer and his family, who founded a nonprofit that lends instruments to kids who want to take music lessons but can’t afford them.

This issue is full of profiles and features on people that are creating KC moments.

Dawnya Bartsch EDITOR dawnya@kansascitymag.com

Contributors

Lucca Heil

Newest contributor

Lucca Heil, Kansas City magazine’s newest contributor, was born to our food editor and critic Tyler Shane and husband Garrett Heil in the early morning hours of Sept. 21, 2024, weighing a healthy 8 pounds, 7 ounces. He loves music, fall breezes and naps with dad. We know his future is bright.

Shauna Gilden

Health and wellness writer

In this issue’s feature on infrared saunas, Kansas City native Shauna Gilden wrote about the pros and cons of this latest sauna trend. Certified in meditation, reiki and yoga, she has authored articles for Best Holistic Life Magazine and regularly contributes to the Insight Timer and Unplug Meditation apps.

Feedback Say What?

Museum Makeover

An online post about The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s global call for architects to design a massive renovation garnered much enthusiasm.

The proposed 61,000-square-foot addition has an estimated project cost of $160 to $170 million from privately raised funds. It will feature new spaces such as a black box theater for digital art, immersive experiences and learning areas for hands-on activities. The project will also include partial renovations to 74,000 square feet of the original 1933 building, as well as upgrades to the museum’s outdoor landscape. Here are a few comments from our readers.

I pray they don’t touch the original building, though. It’s a beautiful time capsule. Future generations need to see it and enjoy it too.

– Rachel Allen

Sure hope it will have just as many stairs, but seriously, what a wonderful idea. I love visiting Nelson Atkins without a stroller.

– Jordan Luke Nigus

“It

doesn’t matter what anyone says or thinks. If you put on an outfit and you’re confident in it, regardless of what you’re wearing— you could be wearing trash bags—if you love what you’re wearing, nothing else should matter.

It’s not that deep. It’s just material.”

– Cory Infinite, one-of-a-kind clothing designer

Numbers From This Issue

5,000

The weight, in pounds, of the steel-framed Hereford bull perched on top of a towering column in Mulkey Square Park.

Page 88

1,000

The number of animals that were “fixed” by the Spay/ Neuter Collaborative of Kansas City last year.

Page 38

1966

The year Ted and Betty Meyer opened the first Meyer Music in Blue Springs.

Page 22

Maybe I can have a piece in the digital art section.

– Tucker Huffman

Scan

Behind the Scenes Photographer Laura Morsman in the West Bottoms shooting this issue’s cover subject, clothing designer Cory Infinite, in one of his original designs.

Correction In an October story, we incorrectly identified the owners of the Cerner buildings. Cerner still owns the buildings.

Safe Haven

The metro’s limestone caves house much of the area’s emergency equipment and other critical needs

By Ian Ritter

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ground, and LaRose realized that “if a tornado comes through there, not only can I not support others … I can’t support anything.

“So I went to my director and I said, ‘I want to put those assets in a cave,’” LaRose says. “And he laughed at me.”

The metro area’s limestone caves aren’t a joke, though, as management soon found out.

Verizon is housed in a five million-square-foot cave facility that the company refers to as The Space Center. The company shares this space in the limestone fortress known as The Caves with about 50 other entities, including institutions such as the Social Security Administration and National Parks Service, which require secure spaces for documentation and whatever else they need to keep away from property-damaging disasters.

IF YOU COUNT the thunderstorms, floods and heat domes that hit Kansas City, there’s not much solace from volatile weather here. That’s why an intricate web of limestone caves carved in the bluffs throughout the metro have become an intrinsic part of the economic landscape.

The caves offer a safe haven for hundreds of commercial interests looking to protect their assets from disastrous weather.

An example of such a space is the vast and tenanted cave in western Independence, dubbed “The Caves,” which houses Verizon’s “extreme network” equipment used for disaster situations. Most recently, it was deployed to help victims of Hurricane Helene in Florida near Tampa.

The cave space, at 100,000 square feet, is about the size of a Target store and houses what’s needed for Verizon to get one of its Emergency Operation Centers operating in a hard-hit locale. Often, cell phone traffic spikes in these places, causing outages, and fiber connections are down.

Putting costly and sensitive disaster-response equipment, like drones and satellite-based mobile units, in a stormproof cave sustains peace of mind for Tony LaRose, Verizon’s network operations manager, who oversees the Independence fleet.

It’s certainly not safe above ground. LaRose witnessed that firsthand back in 2011 when an EF5 tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri, and the surrounding area, killing 158 people and destroying thousands of buildings.

Verizon’s disaster-relief equipment was in a parking lot in the KC area on high

Mining the limestone from the area’s bluffs was a huge business as Kansas City grew. The rock was used to build the metro’s roads, commercial buildings and houses. A majority of Kansas City’s notable churches and historic homes of the early 20th century are built from this limestone.

After decades of wholesale rock excavation, the former mines had become massive caves. Today, they’re run by landlords who specialize in leasing the hollowed-out spaces as commercial space for companies’ assets and operations. The most well-known of these facilities is SubTropolis, close to Worlds of Fun, both of which were originally developed by Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt. SubTropolis was a former 55 million-square-foot limestone mine. Today, real estate firm Hunt Midwest operates SubTropolis, and organizations including the United States Postal Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and many others lease space there to house their documents in the caves which have naturally cool, protective temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees.

Back in Independence at The Caves where Verizon is, the controlled temperature is a little lower, closer to 50 degrees. It can be jarring to enter them when the outdoor thermometer is pushing triple digits.

That, and the lower natural humidity, suits LaRose well, though. His equipment’s software needs constant updating, and there won’t be any danger of overheating when batteries are constantly charging for backup generators and backups for those generators.

“I want to be ready,” LaRose says. “I want to be the first one to get a unit rolling someplace to help our customers.”

$24,000

The amount of legal marijuana sales that constitues a “good day” for many local cannabis shops, according to Dominique Stevenson, a manager at Key Cannabis.

Although marijuana is legal, there are still rules to follow. Those seeking marijuana for medicinal use must be 18 years old, and for recreational use the age requirement is 21.

When asked whether the current regulations have made it better for those who buy and sell, Stevenson says, “It’s safer right now since you’re not breaking the law when you’re doing it.”

MO Cannabis Sales Are Booming

Here are 8 surprising marijuana stats

42.5

The percentage of Missouri marijuana arrests in 2022.

2023

The year the first Missouri licensed cannabis sale took place and the year state officials expunged more than 100,000 marijuana-related criminal cases.

By Alexandra Mattsson

6

The local tax percentage for adult recreational marijuana purchases. There is only a four percent tax for medicinal use purchases. Some counties and cities in Missouri have what is called “stacked” taxes, meaning some cities and counties are imposing an additional three percent tax on recreational marijuana purchases.

ONLY LEGAL FOR a few short years, Missouri’s marijuana business is already booming. Since the first licensed cannabis sale in 2023, sales have soared, and it’s not uncommon to see dispensaries dotting strip malls around the metro.

$960,890,000

The amount of marijuana sales that have occurred in Missouri so far this year—close to $1 billion.

209

The number

20,316

The number of active agents, such as store owners, officers, managers and the like, who are allowed to sell marijuana in Missouri.

3

The ounces of marijuana a person is allowed to buy and carry for recreational purposes. Any more can be viewed as trafficking and can be considered a felony. Medical users may purchase up to four ounces.

of licensed dispensary facilities in Missouri.

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Music Man

Mike Meyer of KC’s Meyer Music talks about his family’s music enterprise and giving back

By Dawnya Bartsch

MIKE MEYER’S LIFE has always been grounded in music. After school, the bus would drop Mike and his two siblings off in front of his family’s downtown Blue Springs music shop, and the Meyer clan would hang out, helping with customers and doing homework, before heading home for the evening.

Mike’s parents, Ted and Betty Meyer, were both school teachers. They opened their first Meyer Music in 1966 as a way to supplement their income. Since then, two locations—in Overland Park and the Northland—have been added, and Meyer Music rents instruments to thousands of students representing about 60 school districts. Each location is helmed by a Meyer family member. “It’s truly a family affair,” Mike says.

With this success, the Meyers have been able to start Band of Angels, a nonprofit that provides instruments to kids who want to study music but can’t afford to buy the instruments. One of Band of Angels’ most popular fundraisers is Art That Blows, an event where art created from broken and unusable instruments is auctioned off.

Let’s get to know Mike Meyer.

Is there one piece of instrument scrap art made for an auction that sticks out? There have been so many amazing pieces, but there is one made by a former Hallmark artist named Robert Hurlburt. It is a seven-foot-tall sculpture called Marley. He actually stands in front of the Meyer Music in Overland Park. I just thought all of the kids who came in to take lessons would just stare at him with amazement. He looks similar to Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars Kids are constantly taking selfies and pictures with it when they come in.

Do you have a favorite spot to make music? I play the piano, and honestly, just sitting in my living room playing on my grand piano is my favorite thing. It just makes me relax and unwind. We have a tradition at my house I started when my kids were young. I would go in fairly early in the morning and start playing “Happy Birthday” on each of their birthdays. It would wake them up, and they just loved it. It made them smile. They are all grown now, but they still expect a video of me playing them “Happy Birthday” on their big day.

Do you have a favorite KC metro building or sculpture that inspires you? I love signs. The iconic signs like the Western Auto, Town Topic and Gem Theater signs are the ones that inspire me. It’s such an amazing throwback to see them. Several of my recent (scrap instrument) art pieces are these signs being recreated.

What are your aspirations for Band of Angles? Band of Angels has been an amazing, soul-fulfilling ride so far, and it’s much bigger than I anticipated. I was very surprised that I had stumbled onto something like this and that it is such a need in all communities. We have already given instruments to students and schools in 20 different states. My long-term goal is to see Band of Angels grow to be a national charity that was founded and is headquartered here in KC.

Is there any musician, singer or band that you would like to jam with (alive or dead)? Billy Joel has always been my guy. Being a young boy who loved playing the piano, he was my idol. It wasn’t always cool when I was late to football practice because I had a piano lesson, but now, today, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I can’t sprint like I used to, but I can still sit down and play the piano and share that with friends. Billy made playing the piano cool, and I may have used playing his songs to get a few dates along the way.

Celebrating Extraordinary Women

The Starr Women’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the accomplishments of women - past and present - whose contributions leave a lasting impact on Kansas City and beyond.

Introducing

The 2025 Starr Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees

2025 Starr Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 4 p.m. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

For more information visit umkc.edu/starrhalloffame.

Fired Up

The world’s first BBQ museum is set to ignite in 2025

By David Redmond

BARBECUE LOVERS, get ready for an experience that’s as educational as it is mouth-watering. In the spring of 2025, Crown Center in Kansas City will become home to the world’s first Museum of BBQ. This unique destination promises to be a feast for the senses, offering an immersive journey through the history, flavors and techniques of America’s most beloved culinary tradition.

“This is a place where barbecue comes alive,” says Jonathan Bender, who is opening the museum up with chef and restaurateur Alex Pope.

Bender is no stranger to the world of barbecue. An Emmy award-winning writer, he’s been covering the barbecue scene for more than 15 years and is a certified judge at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue.

The museum will feature interactive themed rooms dedicated to the essential elements of barbecue—meat, rub/spice, wood, fire, smoke and sauce—as well as exhibits highlighting the distinct regional styles of BBQ, including the Carolinas, Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. Visitors can expect to gain a deeper understanding of how these components come together to create the smoky, savory dishes we love.

Hands-on exhibits and interactive displays will ensure that the knowledge sticks with you long after your visit, making it as fun as it is informative. From learning the science of smoking meat to discovering the unique flavor profiles of each region, you’re guaranteed a memorable, flavorful experience at the museum.

To top it all off, there will be a large gift shop stocked with clothing, sauces, rubs and other barbecue essentials from the four main BBQ regions.

Marian E. Washington

Marjorie A. Williams

Clara Reyes Annabeth Surbaugh Roshann Parris

Muriel Irene McBrien Kauffman

Eliza Burton Conley Jr.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI KANSAS CITY

Minds in Motion

By Dawnya Bartsch

THE NELSON-ATKINS Museum is teaming up with KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter to create a free gallery tour for people who are struggling with memory loss.

Aptly called Minds in Motion Tour: My Favorite Things, this event’s aim is to keep tour attendees’ minds moving right along with their

bodies as they meander through the museum. With the help of specially trained docents who understand Alzheimer’s patients’ particular needs, visitors and their caregivers can appreciate the beauty the museum has to offer.

While the Minds in Motion series hosts several events throughout the year, this tour encourages patrons to consider the sights, sounds and smells suggested by the art in the various galleries.

GO: Minds in Motion, November 7, 1 pm, Nelson-Atkins Museum, 4525 Oak St., KCMO.

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the big screen. The projection features the original dialogue and sound effects as the orchestra performs the legendary score live and in sync with the show scenes to bring a truly immersive experience to the beloved series. November 2, 2 pm & 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

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Hyprov

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The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium 25th Anniversary

This two-day celebration of Union Station’s Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium’s 25th anniversary features a unique fusion of performance art, live music and laser light displays under the always-magical planetarium dome. Local musician

Leslie Jones

MOLLY HIGGINS

Calvin Arsenia will headline Friday night, playing the harp and banjo alongside a stunning live aerial silk performance beneath the dome’s stars. Laser artist “Laser” Lew Wilkinson will showcase his Laser Visions show, and DJ Stevie Cruz will also play a live show with video artist Cyan Meeks. On day two, there will be Yoga Under the Stars in the morning. November 1, 7 pm; November 2, 9:30 am. Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium.

Comedian Leslie Jones made her breakthrough on SNL a decade ago with her brash humor and offbeat characters, and she quickly became a standout of the cast. Today, she stars in comedy roles and hosts a podcast. Now, she’s on tour in support of her new book, with New York-based comedian Lenny Marcus opening. November 1. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.

2

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert

As part of the Kauffman’s wildly popular film screenings with live orchestral accompaniment, the beloved anime Avatar: The Last Airbender will feature a live orchestral rendition of the series’ now-iconic soundtrack paired with a special recap of the animated series on

Hyprov blends hypnosis and improv comedy—what could go wrong? Fresh off an off-Broadway run and six-month residency in Las Vegas, this new show combines the two mystifying (and sometimes seemingly impossible) art forms of hypnosis and improv. The show begins with hypnotist Asad Mecci welcoming volunteers on stage to be hypnotized. Those most receptive to hypnosis then join comedian Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame to improvise the rest of the show while audience members are under hypnosis to create an original, unscripted and oftentimes kooky comedy theater show. November 3. 7 pm. Yardley Hall.

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Vitamin String Quartet

The Vitamin String Quartet first began in 1999 as an experiment, where the group used classical instruments to transform popular songs. Twenty-plus years later, the group has performed all over the world, with their songs featured on shows like Gossip Girl and Bridgerton. They’re hitting KC on tour with a catalog of their classic spin on songs from contemporary icons like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Daft Punk. November 7. 7 pm. Helzberg Hall.

8 Snow Queen

Presented by Heart of America Youth Ballet, this original ballet imagines a prequel to Disney’s beloved Frozen and Hans Christian Anderson’s classic The Snow Queen Snow Queen includes favorites like Elsa, Anna, Sven and Olaf, as characters and audiences alike try to figure out who the powerful Snow Queen is in this ballet for all ages. November 8 & 9. 7:30 pm. Folly Theater.

8-10

Godfrey

Comedian Godfrey has been working as a standup comedian and actor for over 20 years, both on popular entertainment channels like BET and VH1 and in comedy films like Soul Plane and Zoolander. Best known for his personal comedy that expertly faces stereotypes in fresh, smart and unexpected ways, Godfrey often draws upon his Nigerian and American cultures for funny, poignant performances. November 8–10. Times vary. Funny Bone Comedy Club.

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The Nutcracker World-renowned Grand Kyiv Ballet, which includes some of the most prestigious ballet dancers from Ukraine, breathes new life into the classic heartwarming holiday tale, The Nutcracker, which has been beloved for centuries. This beautiful performance is a fantastical journey to a magical kingdom, filled with dancing sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers, where the characters learn that kindness can overcome adversity and create magic. November 10. 4 pm. Folly Theater.

12

Cold War Kids

Long Beach-based indie-rock band Cold War Kids gained mainstream popularity nearly 20 years ago with their debut album Robbers & Cowards, which had the hit song “Hang Me Up to Dry,” a staple of now-gone (but never forgotten) 96.5 The Buzz. They’re hitting KC on tour in celebration of their 20th anniversary of being a band and in support of their eponymous album released last year. November 12. 8 pm. The Truman.

15-17

The Barber of Seville

Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents composer Gioachino Rossini’s 1816 opera, The Barber of Seville, made famous for modern audiences by our favorite wascally wabbit, Bugs Bunny. The rom-com opera follows hopeless romantic Count Almaviva in an elaborate comedy of errors to get his true love before her hasty marriage. November 15–17. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

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Meet Me at the Fair!: Music from the Great World’s Fairs

Meet Me at the Fair! is a musical celebration of the historical World’s Fairs by Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. Often overlooked but historically important, music played a key role in the success of past fairs and festivals, launching both hit songs and the illustrious careers of many musicians like the “King of Ragtime” Scott Joplin. This new program features continuous projections of lost fairground photos and historic World’s Fair films by Thomas Edison and company. November 17. 2 pm (pre-show talk at 1 pm). Yardley Hall.

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The Hip Hop Nutcracker

A contemporary holiday mash-up, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a reimagined and refreshed version of the classic that fuses hip-hop dance with Tchaikovsky’s classic music. In this remix, digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of the beloved tale from traditional 19th-century Germany to the vibrant, diverse modern-day New York City. November 20. 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

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ZZ Top

Influential for nearly 60 years in the rock scene, Houston-based ZZ Top has carved out an enduring legacy by developing a signature sound based on their blues style and rhythm section. With their signature long, larger-than-life beards, the band gained popularity with their party anthems and brash style, including their legendary tours that featured outlandish Texas-shaped stages and live rattlesnakes. November 20. 7:30 pm.

The Midland.

21

Book Discussion: The Printmaker’s Daughter

In this free educational event, Nelson-Atkins staff members discuss Katherine Govier’s novel The Printmaker’s Daughter in support of the museum’s featured exhibition, “Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration.”

The book features the little-known story of Hokusai’s artist daughter, Oei, and their complex parent-child relationship, while bringing the colorful 19th-century Edo (Tokyo) world to life through research mixed with compelling historical fiction. November 21. 6 pm. Spencer Art Reference Library Reading Room.

Jelly Roll

Nashville native Jelly Roll is a singer-songwriter and rapper who delves into myriad musical genres, like hip-hop and Southern rock. Although Jelly Roll has been on the scene for over 20 years, he rose to mainstream popularity with his 2022 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” Beloved for his gentle giant persona, he’s hitting KC on the Beautifully Broken Tour in support of his newest album of the same name.

November 13. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.

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Yeehaw: A Benefit Show for KC Tenants

Yeehaw is back for its third year, with a night of music and comedy benefitting KC Tenants—KC’s citywide tenant union. Alternative-indie band Waxahatchee, comedian Caleb Hearon and more surprise guests will be performing in support of KC Tenants. November 23. 8 pm. The Midland.

27, 29Dec 1

Cirque Du Soleil’s ’Twas The Night Before

The world’s largest and most popular circus performance group, Cirque du Soleil, fuses high-performance dance with acrobatics to bring their first-ever holiday-themed show, ’Twas The Night Before, to KC. Inspired by the classic Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, this story is about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays, but this time with gravity-defying acrobatics and a soundtrack of reinvented holiday classics. November 27, 29–December 1. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.

Giving Voice

Kansas City native and Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn comes home to talk about her efforts to publish marginalized writers

By Anne Kniggendorf

MEN AREN’T THE only nasty villains. A lot of novelists and screenwriters let you think they are, but not Kansas City native Gillian Flynn. She writes about women who are cruel, mean or—at their best—a mess. Never has the fairer half of the population felt so seen.

This month, Flynn comes to Kansas City to take the stage at the annual Writers for Readers fundraiser, a conversation and banquet co-hosted by the Kansas City Public Library and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She’s lending her talent to raise money for the Writers for Readers initiative, a program that employs a creative writing graduate student to teach the art of writing to teens and adults enrolled in Literacy KC classes.

Flynn is probably best known for her 2012 novel Gone Girl and the corresponding hit film of the same name starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. The story’s protagonist fakes her own death and endlessly trolls her too-nice Midwestern husband all up and down eastern Missouri.

Right now, Flynn is working on a film adaptation of her novel Dark Places, which follows her tortured lead all around Kansas City as she works to understand and solve her family’s decades-old murder.

And not too long from now, expect to see Flynn’s remake of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, a project underway with Tim Burton.

But Flynn is exploring and exposing more than just the voices of her novels’ edgy female characters. She is also making her mark in the physical world by attempting to draw out the voices of real women and writers looking to break barriers and enter the publishing world. Flynn is doing this through her own book imprint under the Zando umbrella.

Ahead of the Writers for Readers fundraiser, Flynn talked to Kansas City magazine about why it’s important to have a variety of voices represented in literature.

As we deal with book challenges and censoring, we talk a lot about the importance of making sure people see themselves on the written page. How do you think about that in your work? I think it’s crucially important. Books have saved my life and molded my life over and over. I think there’s a true value to recognizing yourself in characters—characters who on the surface may be very different from you, characters who may seem very much like you and are able to articulate ideas and feelings that were roaming around your head and you didn’t even know it. There’s a lightning strike when you have that moment of recognition with a character, a moment that is like nothing else in the world, really, except for meeting that person who’s going to be your friend or soulmate. It really is that shocking, sometimes, and important. It gives everyone a vocabulary and another way to explain who we are.

What characters have you felt that way about? Oh boy, I’m so bad at that. But I do have one: Meg Murry in A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. I remember reading her as a kid and Murry being described as, like, a little young for her age and still wanting to play roughand-tumble games when the girls were getting older. And kind of being nerdy. Then she went on all these amazing adventures. I remember thinking, “Oh, that’s me.”

How about the value of finding your place in a book? It’s always thrilling to me to find the place I live on a page. Libby Day in Dark Places uses the computer lab in Central Library, where I work. We don’t get to see that nearly enough with Kansas City. With Dark Places, in particular, you could drive around with Libby and the book and see so much of Kansas City. The unnamed area that she lives in is by my folks’ house in the Westport/Roanoke area, and I could drive you over there—that kind of “out back,” “over there” or whatever it is she calls it. Whitney Terrell [an author and UMKC professor who will be speaking with Flynn at the banquet] does that wonderfully, too, in his books. I love being in Kansas City. The Midwest is criminally underrepresented.

When you visit KC from Chicago, what are the places you make sure to go? My mom picks us up, and the kids and my husband and I all are ferried straight from the airport to Winstead’s, where we have lunch and probably a skyscraper. It’s a tradition. We always like to hit Gates; it’s my family’s barbecue of choice. I know that’ll be controversial.

For event and ticket information, visit kclibrary.org.

Sax Scupltures

Willie Cole, the artist behind KCI’s “Ornithology” installation, now sells sculpture miniatures

By Nina Cherry

ARTIST WILLIE COLE has been captivated by the sounds of bebop saxophonist and Kansas City icon Charlie “Bird” Parker since he was a child.

“My grandmother was a jazz fan, so before rock ‘n’ roll took over my life, I was a little kid listening to jazz,” Cole says.

Cole is the artist behind “Ornithology,” the striking saxophone bird sculptures suspended in the Kansas City International terminal that pay tribute to Parker. The installation—named after one of Parker’s most popular compositions—was constructed at the Boone Theater, blocks from where the saxophonist once lived in the 18th and Vine Jazz District.

When the New Jersey-based artist saw the call for artists for a public art installation at the new Kansas City terminal, he felt it was fitting to pitch a concept that would honor the bebop saxophonist. Known for his use of found objects and recycled materials, Cole has incorporated musical instruments into his work previously, including sculptures made out of pianos and guitars.

Also a flautist and guitarist himself, music influences Cole’s practice as a visual artist, channeling the spirit of improvisation and innovation.

“In bebop, musicians would take existing chord structures from popular songs from the swing era and write and improvise new melodies over those changes,” Cole says. “My work is that way. I’m taking existing objects and playing with them to create something new.”

Cole has an impressive portfolio, with pieces exhibited at prestigious museums including Washington D.C.’s National Gallery of Art and New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum of American Art. In Kansas City, you can find his work at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

Now, Cole has a new endeavor. The artist has partnered up with KC horn manufacturer B.A.C. Musical Instruments—the same company that fabricated the saxophones for Cole’s airport installation—to sell “Ornithology” miniatures. The small, brass-plated jazz birds can now be found at Made in KC stores and the American Jazz Museum for $50.

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“Ornithology” miniatures are now available for purchase at Made in KC stores and the American Jazz Museum for $50.

Although Cole’s contract with the airport has long since ended, his relationship with Kansas City endures. He opted to keep his studio in the West Bottoms because he’s drawn to “the energy and the history of the music,” he says. He now spends about a week each month in KC, where he continues to be inspired by the vibrant music scene and affordable workspaces.

Learn more at madeinkc.co and americanjazzmuseum.org.

“I learn freedom of expression from music,” Cole says.

It’s Puzzling

By Molly Higgins

THE WEATHER IS cooling down and the holidays are approaching, which means more time inside and lots of gift-giving. Kill two birds with one stone with these sustainably USA-made (and supercute) puzzles from Kansas City Puzzle Company.

Husband and wife duo Tim and Stefanie Ekeren founded the Kansas City Puzzle Company as a fun side hustle that grew from their love of puzzling and desire to disconnect from tech to spend quality time together as a family. The idea for the company came about while they were putting a puzzle together

with their then-three-year-old daughter. She mentioned wanting a Kansas City puzzle, and after doing some research online, the couple realized there weren’t many options, so they decided to make one themselves. They first came up with the idea to make a puzzle company at the end of 2019, but supply issues strained by the pandemic pushed back their product launch to spring of 2021.

The premium-quality puzzles from Kansas City Puzzle Company have a soft-touch matte finish, use soy-based inks, have biodegradable plastic packaging and are made from recycled materials. Their uniquely shaped pieces are not too crazy, but not too uniform—they’re just right.

The puzzles come in different series,

including illustrative cityscapes of our beloved city of fountains.

They also make great gifts. The puzzle series features different cities around the country. The series is a collaboration with Mario Zucca that turns the artist’s intricate and detailed art prints into playable puzzles.

The puzzles come in 500 or 1,000 pieces and are so beautiful they become art in themselves. Kansas City Puzzle Company also has a sister brand, Birdie Puzzles, which are unique and fun puzzles that feature work from a variety of independent artists.

Get cozy this weekend and settle inside with a puzzle for yourself, or give the gift of a beautiful and unique puzzle from Kansas City Puzzle Company. kansascitypuzzlecompany.com

A Cool Trend Is Heating Up the Chiefs

Infrared sauna treatments are not just for pro athletes

By Shauna Gilden

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE the feeling of a good sweat during an intense workout, but for Kansas City Chiefs players, surprisingly, it’s after practice when the heat really gets turned up.

It’s been said that Chiefs players are indulging in infrared sauna treatments, a whole-body experience and “longevity treatment.”

The good news is you don’t have to be a pro athlete, physically or financially, to reap the health benefits and indulge in the rising popularity of infrared sauna treatments.

What is an infrared sauna? Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they use infrared light or wavelengths to create heat, which is then absorbed by the body.

This heat is used to alter the state of your body’s core temperature to trigger different aspects of healing, both physically and mentally. These wavelengths contribute to your overall health by reducing inflammation, aiding in detoxification, improving circulation and promoting relaxation.

Effective at lower temperatures than a traditional sauna, infrared sauna sessions last longer and allow for a more enjoyable, relaxing experience while loosening stiff muscles, reducing joint pain and giving you some much-needed time to yourself.

What are the benefits? Makers of infrared saunas claim the treatments can benefit most any wellness routine, but they specifically call out people struggling with chronic conditions such as depression, anxiety, cancer, Alzheimer’s and chronic fatigue. They’re also said to boost skin health, aid in weight loss and help lower blood pressure.

Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten and Sunlighten Day Spa, is excited that “awareness of empowered wellness has gained momentum in the past 18 to 24 months, and everyone is starting to understand what we’ve known all along—the power of infrared light to enhance life, longevity and help people feel better.”

Headquartered in Overland Park and sold globally, Sunlighten is the only brand to provide all four infrared wavelengths in their saunas: far, mid, near and redlight therapy. It’s like the multivitamin of saunas. Other brands may only offer one or two wavelengths, Zack says.

The Chiefs are big fans and provide a customized Sunlighten sauna in their locker room as part of their after-practice wellness routine for players. Sporting KC installed one in their world-class training facility, too.

Where can infrared saunas be found? In addition to customizing in-home saunas, Sunlighten offers single sessions to customers visiting their day spa.

At Sweatheory in downtown KC, one-hour sessions are enjoyed in the luxury of your own private room with a sauna and shower. This experience begins with a shot of cayenne and alkaline water to jump-start your sweat. It ends by rinsing off with all-natural amenities that leave you feeling rejuvenated—as if you spent an expensive day at the spa, not just $35.

In Corinth Square, CYL Sauna Studio provides a more unique experience—albeit equally relaxing. “Our solo infrared pods allow you to lie down and relax in your own private suite,” says owner Amanda Tinsley. You don’t have to submerge your head in the heat; you can breathe room-temperature air while still absorbing the benefits. Plus, it’s easy to dip in and out quickly on your lunch break.

“We offer 30-minute sessions to heal your body and mind simultaneously,” Tinsley says. “There’s something powerful about sweating and meditating at the same time.”

Are there drawbacks? Overall, infrared saunas are purported to have a whole-body effect at the cellular level to ease the effects of aging. However, as with any lifestyle intervention, you should consult a physician first if you’re prone to heat intolerance, low blood pressure, dehydration or claustrophobia or are on certain medications.

Fakeri’s Footprint

Third generation master tailor Anthonio Fakeri shares insights into the dos and don’ts of suits

By Molly Higgins

ANTHONIO FAKERI GREW up in the family business, watching his father and grandfather craft beautiful garments as master tailors. It’s a classic question of nature versus nurture, and in this case, it seems as if Fakeri was born to do what he has done his whole life: create immaculate clothes.

At a young age, Fakeri explored his father’s factory, sneaking swatches of fabric to bring home and using them to make clothes for his neighbor’s dolls. Using only a small sewing kit and scissors, he meticulously crafted tiny doll garments in the hopes of impressing his childhood crush. Soon after, Fakeri began working with his father in the family business and learning even more skills. Eventually, he even designed a wedding dress for his wife.

Moda Domani, Fakeri’s apparel company specializing in custom suits and tuxedos, was first launched in 1986 in Tucson, Arizona. The store moved to the Kansas City area in 1999 and has been a staple in the bespoke fashion scene since.

Fakeri says that Moda Domani means “style of tomorrow,” and though his suits are timeless, with nearly a lifetime in the business, Fakeri has been able to see trends fall out of style and come back into style again. Because of his experience, he emphasizes the importance of buying a well-made and well-fitting garment, which can be used for a lifetime if taken care of correctly.

Photography by Moda Domani

Tell us about your work. I love what I do. I love the creativity. Everything we do is custom. I love to help people reach the level they would like to but they didn’t know how to get there. I do a lot of coaching. It’s consulting, really, more than anything else. My work starts with consulting and hearing what their issues are, trying to resolve those issues and turn them into a positive image for them.

What are the misconceptions that you find when it comes to buying a suit? A lot of the garments available for people on the racks don’t benefit the consumer—they benefit the retailers. They aren’t of quality. Because of a lack of knowledge and understanding of the product, people buy an [off-the-rack] suit, wear it only three or four times and spend lots of money. When quality diminishes, everything else goes down along with it. [Suit manufacturers] end up compromising because all they think about is what’s in it for them and their bottom line. But fashion is one of those things—what goes around will come around. It’s like a merry-go-round, but if you have a fantastic garment that is well-made, it will always be in style.

Moda Domani owner Anthonio Fakeri

Some of the most powerful people around are those you haven’t heard much about, but they’re often the people who keep things moving and growing—and as a result, are shaping Kansas City. Here are 10 people of note who are exerting a quiet kind of power.

By Ian Ritter, David Hodes, Hampton Stevens and Dawnya Bartsch

10 KANSAS CITY POWER PLAYERS YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF (YET)

TAM SINGER CEO, Great Plains SPCA

Not all chief executives are tall white guys. Head of SPCA Tam Singer’s five-foot stature is fitting, though, because she is tasked with raising money and advocating for literal underdogs.

The U.K. native has been chief executive of the Merriam-based nonprofit animal shelter since 2018. The facility contracts with Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Bonner Springs, Lake Quivira, the Johnson County Parks Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, meaning the no-kill shelter seems to always be full. But thanks to the tireless fundraising efforts of Singer and her staff, resources at SPCA, which receives about 5,000 animals annually, keep meeting the challenges.

Singer and other animal-welfare advocates created the Spay/ Neuter Collaborative of Kansas City last year and have “fixed” 1,000 animals free of charge.

“We found a vet!” Singer proudly says when talking about the year’s accomplishments. Shelter-doctor vacancies aren’t easy to fill in a tough labor market, where salaries for the job top $100,000, up from $75,000 when Singer began her tenure.

Constant dog arrivals at the shelter are now a reality, including traditionally fancier breeds, like poodles, due to a combination of pandemic-era overbreeding and the rising pet costs that confront many lower-income pet owners, she says. Singer and other area animal-welfare leaders created the Spay/ Neuter Collaborative of Kansas City last year and have “fixed” 1,000 animals free of charge around the metro. – IAN RITTER

BUDDY LAHL CEO, Missouri Restaurant Association POWER 2024

Buddy Lahl is on the move. Again. And this time, he’s embracing not just kitchen and general restaurant duties, but also legislative powers to help the cause of all state restaurants.

Lahl was the director of dining operations at Kingswood Senior Living in south Kansas City for over nine years, from 2014 to 2023. In 2023, he took on a new role as the CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, representing 12,000 Missouri restaurants.

Lahl got his start in the restaurant business in Quincy, Illinois, working in his family’s restaurant, Doc’s Flame, in the 1970s.

After working in local restaurants while finishing his education, Lahl moved on to Myron Green, first as a kitchen manager, then regional director. He oversaw 60 restaurants for 22 years in the role.

The MRA is a powerful organization. It provides a voice for the state’s restaurant and hospitality businesses as well as a variety of services in what Lahl calls the three main components of the industry: education, hospitality and government affairs. The MRA has had a number of legislative victories, including introducing legislation ending the sales tax on tips.

According to an article about him in the Quincy newspaper the Herald-Whig, Lahl is fascinated with the legislative process and will join in lobbying efforts at the state and federal level on issues important to the state’s restaurants, from minimum wage to menu labeling requirements. – DAVID HODES

POWER 2024

TYLER ENDERS

Co-founder, Made in KC

Tyler Enders is in the good-vibes business. He can make you feel like you’re the only person on the planet, even when you’re in a crowded room, then seconds later casually grab a mic and take control of an exuberant crowd with his chilled-out demeanor. And not just any room, but a room composed of the biggest names in KC business.

It’s fitting that the co-founder of Made in KC has become a big business name by being one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders. His various business ventures have grown from a pop-up selling locally made products to the operator of retail spaces and cafes around the metro. His shops urge visitors to relax, linger and have a locally roasted coffee or beer while they decide which “Heart KC” shirt—or something else made by a local artisan—to purchase.

Enders and his partners also own and operate retail venues that double as community meeting spaces, including Fairway’s longtime Rainy Day Books and two Front Range Coffeehouse & Provisions cafes in Fairway and Brookside that have a ski-lodge atmosphere. The Made in KC empire is continuing to grow with other businesses as well, such as Leawood’s Outta the Blue cafe and Ludo’s bar, where patrons come to play shuffleboard.

Regardless of the enterprise, they all have one thing in common: they push civic pride. This theme and Enders’ enthusiastic nature has earned the KU School of Business graduate spots on the KCMO City Plan Commission, Visit KC and the Plaza District Council. – I.R.

“I’m not political at all. I’d rather stay in the back, just get things done. I can get things done easier if I’m not looked at as a power person.”

REV. DUKE TUFTY

Senior Minister and CEO, Unity Temple

The story of Duke Tufty’s life would make a compelling movie about struggles with temptations. It comes with a happy ending.

Tufty was a successful car salesman at his dad’s place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1973, when he was just 24. Maybe too successful.

He moved to Kansas City in 1978 to work at another car dealership. He sank into a cocaine-fueled lifestyle. He overdosed. His car sales work collapsed.

He questioned his life and his spirituality and thought there was a better way. He found a 12-step recovery program at Unity Temple and began to put his life back together. He was ordained a minister at Unity in 1989 and, in January 1991, became a senior

minister and CEO at the church. “Dealing with drug addicts, I can see myself in them,” he says.

Tufty offers comfort, mostly to homeless people needing food and shelter but also to recovering alcoholics. But it’s not just them. He also serves prominent Kansas Citians seeking spiritual enlightenment. “Yes, that happens quite often,” he says.

Some of that counseling leads to other things, like the time he worked with a wealthy Kansas Citian who left Unity a $1.5 million donation upon his death because of Tufty’s gentle counsel. “I’m not political at all,” Tufty says. “I’d rather stay in the back, just get things done. I can get things done easier if I’m not looked at as a power person.” – D.H.

CHRISTOPHER WARREN

A

building apart from the main gallery space is being created to highlight the memorial’s last 100 years and will open in 2026, just in time to celebrate the memorial’s centennial.

Vice President of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator, WWI Museum

If you want to understand how seriously the leadership of KCMO’s National WWI Museum and Memorial takes its collection, give Christopher Warren’s resume a peek. Arlington National Cemetery, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution are a few of the organizations where he held leadership roles before becoming vice president of curatorial affairs and chief curator at the WWI Museum two years ago. Shortly after he took on the role, the museum’s administration announced major multi-year upgrades to its main gallery. Now, Warren and others are focused on those renovations, which are to be finished by Memorial Day 2025. The renovations will culminate in a wartime football (soccer) exhibit to coincide with the

2026 FIFA World Cup games played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium the following year.

The international sports event couldn’t come to KC at a better time, as 2026 is also the WWI Museum’s centennial. Warren is curating a separate building from the main gallery on the memorial’s grounds that focuses on the last 100 years at the 47-acre site and its 217-foot limestone tower, a KC landmark. Meanwhile, the museum grounds are a planned focal point for ancillary World Cup events, much like they are for Super Bowl parades, giving Warren a stage bound to make other curators jealous. “I’m really excited about the next two years here,” Warren says. – I.R.

DOUG LUTHER

Executive Director, Homes Associations of Kansas City

If you want to organize your fellow homeowners to address an issue, your go-to to get it done is the Homes Association. For example, residents of The Renaissance Place Homes Association in northeast Kansas City met recently to discuss the bill about freezing property taxes for seniors.

Taking part in that discussion was Doug Luther, the executive director of the Homes Associations of Kansas City. Luther wears many hats in his role, such as advising on senate bills and other laws, issuing credit cards to new board members or advocating for better trash service.

Luther, who has been in his current role since 1971, has been around the block in community service, as the saying goes.

He was the assistant city administrator for the city of Prairie Village for over 12 years, from 1995 to 2007, which gave him direct access to the mayor and other members of the city’s management staff.

The HAKC, formed in 1944, is an alliance of 73 home owners associations that includes homeowners on both sides of the state line in Kansas City.

Luther is in an increasingly powerful position. Accord ing to an article in the Los Angeles Times associations are evolving into quasi-governmental bodies with the authority to decide such matters as what color to paint your house. On its website, the HAKC wrote that some people call homes associations the most rep resentative and responsive form of democracy found in America today. – D.H.

POWER 2024

AMBER ARNETT-BEQUEAITH

President, West Bottoms Business District Vice-President, Full Moon Productions

Amber Arnett-Bequeaith has been in the haunted house business for a long time. As a child, she slept in a coffin as one of the players for her families’ commercial haunted house. It’s an unusual multi-generational family business, for sure. It’s also one that brought Arnett-Bequeith’s clan to Kansas City’s historic West Bottoms in the early 1980s as they were looking to grow.

Once there, Arnett-Bequeith and her family, who own around a dozen West Bottoms buildings, set about revitalizing the neighborhood in earnest. Through the creation of a business district and other entities, Arnett-Bequeaith and her squad of business owners and West Bottoms advocates have ushered in a new era for the industrial district that now claims antique stores, cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues as businesses.

The group started with simple things, such as putting out open dumpsters for everyone to use for free rather than locking them up. A program to kill the weeds on city property was created, as well as a program to mitigate graffiti. The graffiti abatement program includes not only painting over it but also using cameras to try and identify those who do it and then prosecuting. In the early days of the graffiti program, a KU professor was one of the graffiti vandals caught, Arnett-Bequeaith says.

“People need to feel safe,” she says. These programs help with that.

The former home of Kansas City’s stockyards, this unique and historic district is really coming into its own. The programs and advocacy helped Arnett-Bequeaith start First Fridays (really weekends), where these local businesses throw open their doors, creating a party-like atmosphere; the popular street festival Boulevardia; and, of course, the seasonal Halloween haunts.

The West Bottoms is about to experience an influx of development, with New York-based developer SomeraRoad planning to renovate many of the West Bottoms buildings— several of which Arnett-Bequeaith and her family sold to SomeraRoad as part of a larger vision for the district.

Arnett-Bequeaith, her family and the West Bottoms Business District are actively working with SomeraRoad to help the area grow while maintaining the neighborhood’s character. –

DAWNYA BARTSCH

Missouri took notice of Kansas City’s transit hub work along the river and last year dedicated $30 million to its future growth, a feather in Grenville’s cap. “It’ll be a poster child for changing the way we move freight.”

RICHARD GRENVILLE

Vice President of Multimodal Logistics, Port KC

Richard Grenville admits that much of what he’s working on at Port KC is part of a “multi-generational project” that will take years after his retirement to see through. The Port’s longtime vice president of multimodal logistics, who has about 50 years of experience in nautical concerns, has spent more than a decade trying to transform Kansas City and other ports along the Missouri River into a bona fide trade corridor with barge traffic.

Grenville, who is originally from London, where he went to nautical college after naval training, spearheaded the significant planning and implementation of the Missouri River Terminal project—415 acres along the southeast corner of where the state-named waterway intersects with the north-flowing Blue River.

The vision that Grenville, who is transitioning into an advisory role with the Port, and others have is an intermodal facility providing a hub for commerce shipped via three transportation modes: river, rail and highway. Selling truck-reliant businesses on water transport is tough, but Grenville is adept at showing how working barge traffic into the supply chain can save future transportation and energy costs. The State of Missouri took notice of MRT’s potential and last year dedicated $30 million to its future growth, a feather in Grenville’s cap. “It’ll be a poster child for changing the way we move freight,” Grenville says.

Grenville’s KC Port work is a major component in revitalizing the city’s waterfront and making it financially viable for the city. – I.R.

“There’s $400 million worth of investment out there that I’ve got to make sure is playing on a safe, quality baseball field.”

TREVOR VANCE

Head Groundskeeper, Kansas City Royals

Ah, baseball. The crack of a bat, the roar of the crowd, the hum of a riding mower.

Fact is, you can’t have the first two without the last. That’s where Trevor Vance comes in. Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, Vance is the senior director of grounds and landscaping for the Kansas City Royals. In short, he’s the field general, and has been working in the field, literally, since the World Series year of 1985.

Vance learned from the master, the great George Toma.

“George taught us a lot of good stuff,” Vance says. “He ran by the mantra, ‘And then some.’ You do the job and then some.”

Kansas City, he says, is not an easy place to be a groundskeeper. “We can get as cold as Minnesota.

We can get as hot as Texas. We have four seasons, and you never know when they’re going to show up.”

Obviously, the field has to be beautiful, but player safety tops Vance’s list. One slip, after all, could cost a team their season and a lot of money.

“The Royals have a $100 million payroll, and the Yankees have a $300 million payroll,” he says, noting the Royals’ last battle of the season. “So there’s $400 million worth of investment out there that I’ve got to make sure is playing on a safe, quality baseball field.”

Like any good leader, Vance is quick to credit his team. “I have a crew that’s been with me, some of them 25 to 30 years. We’re a family. As long as I design the right play and they execute it, we all win.”

Those winners include the fans of KC. We get to enjoy the prettiest field in sports. – HAMPTON STEVENS

POWER 2024

STEVE TULIPANA

Co-owner, RecordBar

The visual arts are how we decorate space, but music is how we decorate time. In Kansas City, Steve Tulipana has been decorating time for two decades. Tulipana is co-owner, talent buyer and music curator for a trio of the city’s best venues: MiniBar, Lemonade Park and the flagship, RecordBar, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025.

A Liberty High School and UMKC grad, Tulipana started as a touring musician with bands like Season to Risk and Roman Numerals. He still performs, but his greatest contribution to KC’s cultural life is unquestionably the incredibly long and diverse roster of talent he’s helped bring to town. It’s literally thousands of acts, many long before they were famous, including The National, St. Vincent, The Afghan Whigs, Mumford and Sons, Gary Numan, Black Flag, Billie Eilish and Lizzo.

Maybe just as important, Tulipana helped create welcoming, creative environments in those venues.

“We’ve always tried hard to have local support on these things, to have the local artists open for some of these touring bands,” Tulipana says. “One of the things that I’m proud of is that I will take risks, and I will lose money on artists that I think Kansas City needs to see because they’re either iconic or challenging and important to what music should be. It is art, you know, and that’s something that we always cared about, and I’m proud of that.” – H.S.

Introducing the AdventHealth Fertility Center

AdventHealth is pleased to welcome the patients, providers and staff of Midwest Reproductive Center, now providing expert fertility care for women and men at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

Now called the AdventHealth Fertility Center, the practice is led by experienced, Board-certified reproductive endocrinologist Dan Gehlbach, MD.

or call 913-780-4300.

Dan Gehlbach, MD Goldie Bjornstad, APRN, FNP-C

Johni Kilton, APRN, WHNP-BC For information, visit

Designer

CORY INFINITE

makes wearable art pieces that have garnered him social media virality and even caught the attention of superstar rapper A$AP Rocky

By Molly Higgins

Photography by Laura Morsman

“MY STYLE IS INFINITE. THERE’S NO SPECIFIC THEME OTHER THAN WHAT I FEEL IS RIGHT IN THAT MOMENT.”

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Kansas City area native Cory Johnson, who goes by Cory Infinite, thinks of fashion as wearable art pieces. Some of Infinite’s clothing pieces repurpose silver cutlery into a full suit, blankets into pants and shirts, denim buttons into a hat, even trash into a jacket. He’s weaved ties into a full outfit of contrasting patterns.

Infinite’s unique visions for clothing were a seemingly natural progression as he grew older. He was always finding inventive ways to be creative.

Growing up in the countryside outside of Liberty, Infinite was always doodling and drawing and, later, skateboarding and doing origami. In middle school, he got his first phone and constantly took pictures. Eventually, he graduated to a legit Nikon camera.

In high school, Infinite and his friends would try to get into concerts any way they could, even pretending to be official photographers and emailing musicians’ managers. To Infinite’s surprise, he was able to get into some concerts of rappers like Tyler, the Creator and Denzel Curry, and he began posting the photos on social media, laying the foundation for his eventual mega-following.

Infinite’s senior year of high school got cut short because of Covid, and the pandemic prevented concerts from regularly happening. That’s when Infinite realized he needed to pivot directions.

“I was like, ‘All right, what else do I like?’ So that’s when I took a fashion class in high school and my teacher basically taught me how to use an in-home sewing machine,” Infinite says. “I made my first piece for that class. I started wearing them and my friends were interested in buying them.”

The first piece he ever sewed was a sweater made from a woven blanket with a mural of Jesus on it that he found at a thrift store. He cut up the blanket and sewed the pieces together to make a tapestry sweater. Soon, he was making cut-and-sewn sweaters, pants and bags every day and selling them on social media.

“The summer after my senior year, I was working at Hy-Vee, and when I got off and before going into work, I would sew, and I would also document the process,” Infinite says. “[My social media] got some traction. The first drop I did was maybe like 10 sweaters. All of them sold out in a day or two.”

One day, an influencer with 14 million followers posted a photo wearing one of Infinite’s creations. Because of that, his social media (and phone) blew up while he was pushing carts in the parking lot during his shift at Hy-Vee. He quit the next day.

Since then, Infinite has focused on growing his brand and continuing to make his wearable art pieces.

“I just stayed consistent,” he says. “I think that’s what separates people from achieving their dreams and not. Are you going to put in the work? That’s what it comes down to. I’ve just always loved clothing; it’s just always been a part of my life. Why not work hard at that and see how far you can take it?”

Infinite has evolved past making only tapestry pieces and shifted into a more avant-garde style. He uses unexpected and upcycled materials for his creations.

“Throughout my whole life, I just evolved through different mediums of art or different forms—drawing, photography, origami,” Infinite says.

Last summer, Infinite got one of his biggest breaks in the fashion world at a very unexpected place—Town Topic.

He and a group of friends had decided to get food around midnight at the beloved hamburger joint when a man complimented Infinite’s style and asked if he could take photos of his outfit. He ended up being superstar rapper A$AP Rocky’s creative director. He invited Infinite to the set for Rocky’s single “RIOT,” and soon Infinite was hired to style the rapper and models for the music video.

Since then, Infinite has exploded in popularity, with nearly half a million followers on social media. He’s made news appearances and created commissioned pieces, too.

“My style is infinite,” he says. “There’s no specific theme other than what I feel is right in that moment. I have all sorts of different styles and different clothing pieces that can just be combined together. It’s experimental, just kind of vibes or avant-garde type stuff. My style is all over the place and I like it like that. It’s just more fun. That’s kind of the inspiration—following what excites me most.”

This summer, Infinite organized a trash cleanup in the West Bottoms and used some of the found

“IT’S NOT THAT DEEP. IT’S JUST MATERIAL.”

trash like cans and bottles for jackets. “That’s what I do with most of my art,” he says. “I go to thrift stores or garage sales or anywhere I can find it. My dad works for a big company, and they throw away e-waste. All this stuff can be used for upcycling art. I think that’s the future of fashion—using things that are already around us to create clothes.”

Infinite is also working on a book coming out early next year that features portraits of his eye-catching fashion along with deeper personal information. He plans to keep doing what he’s been doing but on a bigger scale, with hopes of expanding to get more resources like shipping and help editing and filming content.

“I love making clothes,” he says. “I’ve never been fascinated with designer brands or anything like that. I think the trend of today is wearing whatever you like. The trend is not following a trend. That’s the new trend. The new trend is figuring out what you think is cool. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or thinks. If you put on an outfit and you’re confident in it, regardless of what you’re wearing—you could be wearing trash bags—if you love what you’re wearing, nothing else should matter. It’s not that deep. It’s just material.”

FACES of Kansas City 2024

The tenth annual Faces of Kansas City focuses on the individuals and groups whose experience and expertise make them leaders in their fields. These professionals work diligently to provide the best service to the residents of our city. Get to know the faces behind the businesses that want to share their passion and commitment with you.

FACES of Kansas City 2024

The Face of Real Estate

Malfer & Associates, Compass Realty Group has been a market leader in real estate for more than a decade. The team has over 350 years of combined expertise and works with buyers and sellers at all price points. Each agent is hand-picked by Kristin Malfer herself, ensuring they deliver exceptional customer service. They offer a hassle-free experience from start to finish. Their comprehensive approach to buying and selling homes includes professional photography and videography, along with a robust marketing plan that spans print, social, and digital platforms. With a wide range of services and personalized support, they ensure a seamless and stress-free process for their clients.

The company’s multiple locations in Leawood, Town Center Crossing, and the Country Club Plaza offer it all: home staging, new home construction representation, and relocation specialists. Their partnership with an extensive network of over 28,000 agents represents the top realtors in the industry, ensuring a broad national reach. Whether you are a first-time buyer, seller, or a seasoned investor, their team offers expert guidance every step of the way.

With their knowledge of the city and genuine Midwestern hospitality, Malfer & Associates is the top choice for finding your dream home or selling your current home. Let their local expertise, combined with a global reach, help you navigate your real estate journey with ease and confidence.

• #1 Top real estate team at Compass Kansas City

• #1 Top real estate team in Kansas

• Recognized as a Top Women-Owned Business by the Kansas City Business Journal

• Malfer & Associates listings sell an average of 33% faster than all other listings in the Kansas City area

• Member of The Private Client Network, an exclusive network of national luxury agents in 70+ markets

• Member of the Kansas City Area Development Council

FACES of Kansas City 2024

The Face of Holistic Dentistry, TMJ Therapy and Tongue-Tie Release’

Timothy R. Herre, DDS and Erica Ketchem, DDS

Herre Holistic Dental KC is a wellness-centered, third-generation dental practice that has served Kansas City since 1953.Their mission is to provide personalized dental health care services, nurture caring relationships with patients, and offer progressive treatment options that promote enduring health for every member of your family. As biological dentists, Dr. Tim and Dr. Erica use the safest dental materials that are the most compatible with your own body and health. They also practice rejuvenation dentistry, which is a conservative dental approach to restore the entire bite and mouth, creating jaw stability and proper oral function. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach that focuses on managing disease, their mission is to get you back to health by rejuvenating the entire system so the body can thrive. It’s about treating the root cause versus traditional patch and repair dentistry. There are many treatments offered at Herre Holistic Dental for your health journey, including TMD/TMJ treatment, tongue tie releases, orofacial myofunctional therapy, airway-focused orthodontic treatment, early orthodontic expansion for kids, holistic mercury-safe dentistry and Cerec one-visit crowns. Dr. Tim has more than 16 years of experience treating TMJ/jaw pain and bite issues to address how your teeth fit together. Clenching or grinding your teeth and jaw misalignment are signs you may have an airway issue. The team at Herre Holistic Dental believes that a healthy airway is the key for your body to function optimally. With on-site 3D X-ray technology, they can help find the root cause issue and provide you with choices that best fit your needs. Dr. Tim Herre is the first third- generation dentist in Kansas and has focused on functional, airway-centered dental care for more than a decade. He is passionate about helping kids grow optimally with early intervention to prevent long-term health issues and sees patients as young as newborns. Dr. Tim and Dr. Erica strive to learn and optimize their treatment in ways that surpass traditional dentistry.

The Face of Sports & Spine Medicine

C. Lan Fotopoulos, MD

Dr. C. Lan Fotopoulos is an interventional physiatrist who’s been voted “Super Doc” ten years in a row and also recognized as a Top Doctors® for multiple years in the Kansas City metro. He is board-certified in physical medicine, pain medicine and sports medicine. He specializes in minimally invasive and interventional procedures in the treatment of spinal disorders, including epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and spinal cord stimulation. He has a background as a diver in the U.S. Navy and expertise and board certification in hyperbaric and diving medicine.

The Face of Women in Design & Remodel

At KCBR, bringing people together is the foundation of everything they do. Their success is the collective work of an incredible team that drives every project. Part of that team is a group of extraordinary women from diverse backgrounds, bringing unique perspectives and skill sets that are vital to the success of each project.

From the talented designers, who work together with clients to bring their visions to life; to the production manager, who ensures that every order and material is ready on time; and the project director, who becomes the key point of contact during construction, the impact of these ladies can be felt at every stage of the process. Their dedication, expertise, and passion are part of what sets KCBR Design Remodel apart and ensures the best possible experience for each client.

Remodeling can come with challenges, but the KCBR team focuses on problem-solving, always keeping the clients’ best interests in mind. The process is also an intimate one, with the team

FACES of Kansas City 2024

spending extended periods of time in clients’ homes. Trust and communication are essential, and building those relationships is a key part of what makes their work so fulfilling and fuels the desire to build long-term relationships.

With each day, the team brings positive energy, open-mindedness, awareness, and dedication to every project. The culture is rooted in collaboration, mutual respect, and a passion for innovation, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for our clients. They feel the esteem and enthusiasm the KCBR team brings to every aspect of their project.

It’s an incredible journey they’re on together, and at KCBR, you can trust you’re in great hands every step of the way. The team’s passion shines through, and every project is managed with care, expertise, and a commitment to excellence—thanks to the people who make it all happen.

The Face of Multigenerational Wealth Management

Bill Eckert, AEP®, CAP®

When it comes to Multigenerational Wealth Management, Bill Eckert, Senior Financial Advisor at Renaissance Financial, under stands how hard you have worked to save for your future and protect your family. Multigenerational wealth management combines business succession, legacy planning and personal values and it takes a skillful and experienced team to help families. Bill is among a small group of professional advisors worldwide who are an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®). As an AEP®, he is a member of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils which recognize estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character. As a CAP®, Bill has received training that provides him with an in-depth knowledge of the entire philanthropic planning process, estate and trust documents, taxation, and investment tools to help clients articulate and advance their highest aspirations for self, family, and society.

Bill uses a family office model which includes tax, legal, accounting, business succession, banking, investments, insurance, asset protection, philanthropy, and real estate. He works with clients owning highly appreciated assets, such as real estate, farmland, and business, and aids them in strategies that can help offset capital gains tax or depreciation recapture upon their sale.

Inclusion on this list is a paid advertisement. Inclusion on this list does not bear on the financial qualifications, skill, experience or knowledge of your advisor, does not relate to the provision of financial advice and services, and is not based on any particular training, education, or subject matter expertise. Working with this firm and individual is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor. Neither Cetera Advisor Networks LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice. Securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Renaissance Financial Corporation is independently owned and operated.

The Face of Anti-Aging

Since its founding in 2001, AesthetiCare has been a trusted name in helping Kansas City residents achieve their beauty and wellness goals. Over the years, it has grown into one of the largest and most respected aesthetic centers in the country, with three convenient locations in Kansas City, Liberty, and Lenexa.

AesthetiCare Medspa + Wellness provides top-notch services that deliver nonsurgical results, empowering clients to look and feel their best. AesthetiCare stands out for its commitment to client education, ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about what’s best for their skin and body goals. With access to over 70 FDA-approved, state of-the-art treatments—more than any other medical spa in the Midwest—AesthetiCare’s technology is truly second to none. Its comprehensive service menu ensures that clients can benefit from the latest advancements in anti-aging including lasers, injectables, medical facials, body sculpting, hormones & weight loss to physician grade skincare.

Every new aesthetic client is offered a complimentary one-hour consultation, which includes a personalized skin evaluation to address specific needs and concerns. The highly experienced staff— comprising 25+ licensed aestheticians and registered nurses—boasts more than 350 combined years of expertise in skin and body rejuvenation, providing unparalleled support every step of the way.

In addition to clinical excellence, AesthetiCare is home to a national training facility, where it provides education and training to medical spas across the country, allowing them to stay at the forefront of industry advancements and deliver the highest level of care. Whether it’s needles or lasers, having trust and confidence in your provider’s skillset makes all the difference.

AesthetiCare is also committed to giving back to the community, actively partnering with local nonprofits and supporting charitable causes throughout Kansas City. By extending its dedication to wellness beyond its practice, AesthetiCare aims to positively impact the lives of those around them.

For those ready to experience the AesthetiCare difference, the medspa offers a complimentary virtual consultation tool and in-person consultation bookings at greatskinkc.com. AesthetiCare continues to set the standard as the face of anti-aging in Kansas City, providing a comprehensive and client-centered approach to aesthetic care.

The Face of Weight Loss

Rick Tague, MD, MPH

Caleb Tague, MD, MPH

Kari Brown, APRN

Dr. Tague’s Center for Nutrition is a locally owned, family-operated medical clinic specializing in medical weight loss, nutrition, healthy aging, and what Dr. Tague refers to as “optimum health”. The clinic is led by Rick Tague MD, MPH, Caleb Tague MD, MPH, and Kari Brown APRN. Dr. Rick Tague and Dr. Caleb Tague are both certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine and hold Master’s Degrees in Public Health. Their passion is helping people reach optimum health through medical weight management, cutting edge nutrition, and metabolism and hormone management, all within personal care plans. The newest weight loss medications, along with many older, proven treatments, are all available at generic prices through the Center. Losing significant weight safely (and keeping it off) requires far more than just using a prescription medicine. Nutrition guidance, medical monitoring, bone and muscle preservation, and personal support are essential as you lose 20, 40, 60 lbs or more! Founded in 1996, the Center for Nutrition & Preventive Medicine has assisted over 35,000 patients in their pursuit of weight loss and improved health.

The Face of Pain Management

Mahoua Ray, M.D.

Chronic pain has an adverse effect on every aspect of life: work productivity, mental well-being, and relationships. Dr. Mahoua Ray is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Kansas Pain Management. KPM has a team of five fellowship trained pain physicians, three specialized nurse practitioners and a pain psychologist helping patients get their best quality of life.

Dr. Ray graduated as valedictorian from her medical school and completed two years of general surgery residency at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, NY (affiliated with Columbia University). She completed her residency in anesthesiology and fellowship at the John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County. She was selected as one of two chief residents in the program for the 20072008 year. This is one of the most intense training programs in the country and helped with developing her interventional skills, as well as working in a stressful high-volume inner-city hospital.

In her current medical practice, Dr. Ray focuses on interventional pain management for headaches, low back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, complex regional pain syndrome and neuralgias. She performs multiple procedures such as epidurals, radio

frequency ablations, ultra-sound guided procedures and platelet rich plasma joint injections. She helps manage patients with cancer pain, diabetic neuropathy, post-operative pain and patients with complex spine issues. Dr. Ray also works with physiatrists, neurologists, rheumatologists and neurosurgeons to create a truly multi-disciplinary treatment plan. Dr. Ray’s treatment is focused on creating impactful healthcare solutions.

Dr. Ray has extensive training in critical care and can manage end stage cancer pain and extremely frail patients. She has excellent patient satisfaction scores and is well known for her expertise in both acute and chronic pain. She is double boarded in anesthesiology and pain management and currently serves as the Medical Director of Kansas Surgery Centre, along with being on the board for many companies.

In her spare time, she loves to golf and travel. She also recently participated as a model for New York Fashion Week representing Indian American fashion. Dr. Ray has lived in Kansas City area for over 15 years with her husband and two school aged boys.

The Face of Non-Invasive Aesthetics

Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT

Georgous Aesthetic Bar’s founder, Georgia Cirese, is a nationally recognized injector and skilled cosmetic expert. She and her daughter Mary Katelyn opened Georgous Aesthetic Bar in 2019, defining a new category of boutique clinics. Together they have created a comfortable, professional and inviting clinic with experienced and licensed providers and compassionate staff.

As a registered nurse with certification as an aesthetic nurse specialist, Cirese offers science-backed treatments at her clinic, performed by medically licensed nurses and licensed aestheticians. She is committed to staying abreast of the latest in non-invasive treatments that are safe and effective - not just trendy.

Georgous Aesthetic Bar specializes in non-surgical medical aesthetic treatments such as wrinkle relaxers (neuromodulators

including Botox, DAXXIFY and Dysport), cosmetic fillers and regenerative therapies such as PRP, PRF and PRF gel. With nearly 25 years of experience and additional training in a dermatology practice, the menu of services her clinic offers also includes a full continuum of dermatological and aesthetic care, including medical grade skincare, laser treatments, hair restoration, and medical weight management.

The philosophy of Cirese and her team is to elevate your natural beauty. The one-on-one consultation you’ll receive focuses on a patient-first approach and is centered around looking fresh and natural with non-invasive aesthetic treatments that are undetectable and deliver natural results.

The Face of Staffing

FACES of Kansas City 2024

Staffing Kansas City is a full-service employment agency led by co-owners Shelley Seibolt and Roses Ammon. The female-owned and WBE certified company has been placing professional talent with 800+ KC companies for more than 26 years. They provide top performers in secretarial, clerical, sales, accounting and customer services positions. Staffing KC sets themselves apart as an employment partner by listening to and solving clients’ hiring challenges.

Among the employment services offered are temporary, contractto-hire, and direct hire placements. For the temporary positions, candidates are pre-screened for short-term and long-term staffing, while the contract-to-hire program is an authentic “try before you buy” concept in employee recruitment. The team manages all aspects of the hiring process to save you time and money. After an introductory period, you can shift them to your in-house payroll without any additional fees.

Staffing KC stands behind their services with a guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with a candidate for whatever reason, the selection process is initiated again to guarantee the employee fits your companies’ needs and culture. The same guarantee applies to their permanent placement program.

No matter which program best serves you, all services include pre-qualified interview candidates, pre-employment skills assessment, criminal background checks and replacement guarantee. They also provide drug screening, credit check and DMV inquiries, if requested.

With hands-on owners and powerhouse recruiters, clients trust Staffing KC with their office support and professional hiring needs. The ladies at SKC attribute their continued success to their drive and love for being a part of small business growth and helping to change peoples’ lives.

The Face of Laser Vision Correction

Jason E. Stahl, MD, Kelly F. Grosdidier, OD

With advanced procedures such as LASIK, refractive lens exchange, EVO ICL, and refractive cataract surgery, Durrie Vision proudly offers the life-changing benefits of modern vision correction to the Kansas City community and beyond. They deliver effective solutions for a range of vision conditions, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, and cataracts. Their commitment to cutting-edge technology and a personalized approach is focused on delivering clear, comfortable vision—free from the limitations and frustrations of traditional eyewear.

Recognized as leaders and innovators in the field, the doctors at Durrie Vision are among the most experienced and respected vision correction specialists in the country. Alongside their dedicated team, they have participated in over 200 FDA clinical trials, making significant contributions to the research and

development of numerous refractive surgery procedures and technologies over the past 30 years. With Durrie Vision, you can be confident that your vision is in expert hands.

When it comes to vision correction, your eyes deserve more than a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why the team at Durrie Vision is dedicated to identifying and customizing the procedure that best fits your unique eyes and lifestyle. From your initial consultation to surgery day and through post-operative visits, the friendly and experienced team at Durrie Vision delivers an exceptional experience every step of the way. At Durrie Vision, you can expect phenomenal patient care, expertise from world-class doctors, and access to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technology available. Visit their website to schedule your complimentary consultation.

The Face of Pediatric Dentistry

Michael LeBlanc, DDS

LeBlanc & Associates Dentistry for Children is a leading pediatric dental practice throughout the Kansas City metro. LeBlanc & Associates is led by Dr. Michael LeBlanc and his team of BoardCertified Pediatric Dentists. For 20 years, they have been focused on creating the best dental experience for infants, children and adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs.

Dr. LeBlanc completed his pediatric dental residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital and actively participates in dental educational research to continue providing the highest level of dental care. He has been named as a Top Dentist™ in the Kansas City region, which is a group of dentists and dental specialists recognized as the best in their field by industry peers. Dr. LeBlanc has also been featured on Best of KC reader’s poll as the Best Pediatric Dentist for several years running.

With your child needing to schedule their first dental visit between six and twelve months of age, it’s important to seek a dental provider that cultivates a child-friendly environment. Dr. LeBlanc and his dedicated, friendly team of experts are passionate about creating a dental home for your child, complete with an

atmosphere that is a fun, positive and rewarding experience. Children can learn at an early age the importance of dental health, and LeBlanc & Associates is focused on eliminating the fear that is often associated with dental visits.

The practice has five convenient locations, each providing dental exams and cleanings, restorations, and patient education, as well as limited orthodontics and appliances. Sedation dentistry is also available, along with emergency dentistry. At LeBlanc & Associates Dentistry for Children, there is a board-certified pediatric dentist on call 24/7 to help direct and facilitate any necessary emergency treatment.

Dr. LeBlanc’s team is committed to educating you about the importance of children’s dental health. As your dental partner, they will provide all the pediatric dentistry your child needs to maintain a happy and healthy smile.

To learn more about dental care for infants, children and teens, visit their website. They will help your child build a great smile for life.

FACES of Kansas City 2024

The Face of Medical Imaging

Nicole Brooks

Nicole Brooks, CEO of Professional Imaging, is dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care and innovative services. She has cultivated a business that embodies her dedication to excellence, a forward-thinking approach to technology, and ensuring patients receive the imaging services they deserve.

Professional Imaging has expanded from St. Louis to Kansas City, offering affordable and cutting-edge diagnostic services. As an independent, non-physician-owned center, they provide MRI, CT, and X-ray exams at 50 to 80 percent lower costs than hospital facilities, without compromising on quality.

Staying at the forefront of technology, Professional Imaging now offers whole-body scans for preventive wellness and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) for concussion patients, ensuring comprehensive diagnostic care. Accessing whole-body imaging without a referring physician has never been easier with an on-site nurse practitioner who can screen, and order imaging as needed. With subspecialty-trained radiologists and advanced 3T MRI, Professional Imaging is among the leaders in their field.

The Face of Residential & Commercial Moving

When it comes to experiencing a seamless, stress-free move in Kansas City, look no further than You Move Me Kansas City, part of the esteemed Southwind family of businesses. Renowned for their exceptional service, You Move Me is transforming the way people think about moving. Their customer-first approach ensures every move is efficient, professional, and tailored to meet each client’s needs.

In 2023 alone, You Move Me completed over 14,000 successful moves, solidifying their reputation as industry leaders not only in local relocations, but also in long-distance moving. From coast to coast, they’ve proven their ability to deliver flawless service, helping families and businesses transition smoothly to their new homes. Their expertise has earned them high-profile partnerships, including a collaboration with HGTV star and Kansas City’s own, Tamara Day, as well as moves for local celebrities like Chiefs star Travis Kelce. It’s no wonder they’re the go-to moving company for so many in the community.

FACES of Kansas City 2024

What truly sets You Move Me apart is their commitment to developing their team. By continually training and empowering their staff, they’re not just moving boxes—they’re building future leaders in the industry. This dedication to growth has fueled their expansion into territories beyond Kansas City, ensuring that more communities can experience their unparalleled service.

Whether you’re relocating across town or embarking on a crosscountry move, You Move Me Kansas City is dedicated to making it your “Best Move Ever.” With their expertise, attention to detail, and passion for customer satisfaction, they’ll manage every step, so you can focus on starting your next chapter.

Whether it’s repairing your air conditioner, fixing your furnace, installing light switches, or tackling sewer issues, MVP provides Kansas City homeowners reliable service and solutions from quick fixes to system overhauls. They’re also a dependable resource when unexpected emergencies arise with your AC, heating, electrical systems, or drains.

As a proud member of the Southwind family of businesses, MVP stands firm in its commitment to doing things the right way, never cutting corners. Since joining Southwind in the fall of 2019, MVP has experienced remarkable growth, even expanding its footprint into Florida with more locations on the horizon.

At MVP, delivering outstanding customer service is just as important as providing quality repairs. That’s why their friendly and knowledgeable team goes beyond to ensure each customer is satisfied, no matter how big or small the job. This commitment to excellence has earned MVP nearly 4,000 glowing Google Reviews from homeowners who appreciate the fast, reliable service and their team’s dedication to getting it right the first time.

Rated A+ by the Kansas City Better Business Bureau, MVP’s comfort advisors are available 24/7 to keep your home safe, comfortable, and running smoothly. No matter the circumstances, MVP manages your house with care, professionalism, and expertise. At MVP, customer satisfaction isn’t just a goal, it’s a guarantee!

A name synonymous with integrity in the Kansas City area for nearly 40 years, Rodrock is dedicated to helping families find a place to match their life and style. Brian Rodrock, Jeff Reglin and Jeff Gifford grew up and raised their families in Johnson County and contribute to the communities where they live, work and play. Rodrock’s breadth and depth of experience is thoughtfully and intentionally incorporated into the planning of its signature communities that are rich in amenities and embrace the best in family living. Rodrock is honored to have earned the trust of thousands of families with one of life’s most important decisions—where to call home.

The Face of Home Detailing

Shack Shine Kansas City, part of the Southwind family of companies, is a valuable resource for home detailing services. They help you protect your most valuable asset—your home—with exceptional care and precision.

Their team of professionals manages exterior detailing that you may not have time to do, and you can schedule it all with one team. From window cleaning to pressure washing and gutter cleaning, they go beyond the basics. You can also count on them for roof and exterior washing, as well as eavestrough cleaning. Their friendly, uniformed technicians will tackle your cleaning project with expertise and efficiency.

What sets Shack Shine apart is their commitment to completing the job in one detailed visit, ensuring a flawless finish without the hassle of multiple appointments. Their approach means you

FACES of Kansas City 2024

can relax, knowing your home is in the hands of professionals who take pride in their work. From the moment you make an appointment, to the arrival at your home, you know you’re dealing with a team of efficient professionals. Their skilled technicians are always friendly, professional, and ready to ensure your home shines. Shack Shine gets the job done right the first time, leaving your home looking better than ever.

For those looking to brighten up the holiday season, Shack Shine also offers premium, commercial-grade holiday lights. These aren’t your typical big box store lights—they’re customdesigned for your home, built to shine brighter, and last longer. The team at Shack Shine manages the entire process from installation to removal. With Shack Shine Kansas City, your home will truly shine year-round!

The Face of Sleep Medicine

Maniza Ehtesham, MD

Dr. Maniza Ehtesham is a board-certified sleep physician and the medical director at Excellhealth Sleep Center. She is an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and enjoys teaching medical students. She has also served as an associate residency program director at UMKC. She is currently a staff physician at Advent Health Shawnee Mission and Excellhealth Sleep Center. Excellhealth Sleep Center offers comprehensive sleep care services for patients in and around Johnson County and is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Excellhealth provides sleep consultations, as well as home sleep studies and in-lab sleep studies. If you or a family member or friend has a problem with snoring, insomnia, sleep apnea, or any other sleep-related disorder, Excellhealth has treatment options for you.

Bori-bliss

By Nicole Kinning

WHEN JORGE RIVERA first opened his cloud kitchen, Primos, he sourced ingredients from his grandmother in Puerto Rico. Rivera, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico until he was 10, moved first to Florida and later to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as a military police officer.

“One of the first things I did when I moved to Kansas was look for Puerto Rican restaurants,” he says. One of his favorites was KCK’s now-closed Caribe Blue. When Caribe Blue closed shop, it left Rivera with a void—but he also saw an opportunity. He became keenly aware that the KC market was lacking in the Caribbean-style cuisine he loved.

After his military stint was up, Rivera faced a choice: move elsewhere or stay in Kansas. Taking a leap of faith, he decided to stay put and open a cloud kitchen, a shared commercial kitchen, Primos,

at the Crossroads Food Stop (1600 Campbell St., KCMO). “Primo means cousin in Spanish,” Rivera says. “We have a very strong family environment in our space.”

Since Primos opened on Cinco de Mayo earlier this year, Rivera has established reliable suppliers to bring authentic Puerto Rican cuisine to Kansas City (thank you for your help, Grandma!). The menu spans traditional Caribbean fare like empanadillas, fried plantains and pincho de pollo, a spiced chicken skewer. But Rivera’s flagship dish is the Boribowl, inspired by the Puerto Rican term “Boricua.” “It’s a word that Puerto Ricans use to refer to themselves with pride,” Rivera says. The bowl, which Rivera says was semi-inspired by Chipotle to appeal to choosy heartlanders, features flavorful pork marinated for 24 hours in a secret sauce that Rivera keeps close to his chest. It’s then boiled for tenderness and pan-fried to order. Get it over the mofongo, a savory dish made from smashed fried plantains flavored with cilantro, garlic butter and chicken broth. “This is our heritage in a bowl,” Rivera says. primoskc.com

Photography by Ian Simmons

Five Fabulous Places for Oysters on the Half Shell

Yes, it’s true. Despite being landlocked here in KC, there are some very good oysters to be had. Here are our top picks. →

By Kyle Wisecarver

Photography by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Living far from an ocean can steer some restaurantgoers away from eating raw seafood—for good reason. We’ve all heard those horror stories of gas station sushi and smelly fish. So having quality seafood in the metro is always quite impressive. We’ve become accustomed to seeing a market fish of the day or a just-made sushi roll, but fresh oysters are still a bit exotic.

These mollusks are somewhat of an acquired taste. Maybe even more accurately, they can be described as a brave conquest. But after getting past the initial frightening appearance, there is plenty to appreciate. The late Anthony Bourdain credits the first oyster he ever had for his life dedication to fine cuisine. Just like wine, the region oysters are grown in becomes a major factor in their flavor, texture and appearance. The ocean provides a canvas for oysters to develop, so living in clean water is ideal, and cooler temperatures can decrease the risk of unwanted bacteria. A good rule of thumb is to eat raw oysters in the milder or colder months. The saying is, if the month has an “R” in it, go for the raw oyster.

Even though we’re far from the sea, there are plenty of metro restaurants providing fresh and high-quality oysters. A few work with individual farms. Others work with a supplier that has relationships with farmers. Still others work with large distributors. If you ask, servers and managers will definitely give you more information as to where their oysters come from.

Earl’s Premier

651 E. 59th St., KCMO

THIS CUTE BUT mighty restaurant has made a huge splash since it opened in May of 2022. Earl’s prides itself on having the freshest oysters in the city. Every day, they get a fresh oyster shipment.

You’ll find the intimate restaurant nestled in a quieter part of the Brookside neighborhood. Park on the curb and enter through the front door. At first glance, it feels like an old fishing ship, with dark oak finishings and oysters resting on fresh ice behind the bar. If the weather is nice, the covered patio has a great view of the neighborhood. The servers love to gossip about their fresh oysters of the day and where they come from. Earl’s works with a couple farmers around the East and West coasts who provide them with the freshest options. They also make sure the everyday menu supplies a variety of oysters in terms of flavor, texture and size. The oysters come with a special horseradish ice and a miniature bottle of mignonette (red wine vinegar and shallots). You might be surprised to still taste the salty ocean water when tossing your oysters back.

Farina

1901 Baltimore Ave., KCMO

JAMES BEARD AWARD- winning chef Michael Smith, owner of Extra Virgin, opened his second restaurant, Farina, back in February 2019. It offers a fresh look with expansive windows overlooking Southwest Boulevard. This is definitely our most elevated oyster recommendation. Sit at the oyster bar and have the professional shuckers (try saying that fast) serve you. Do you like oysters from Prince Edward Island? Or how about from New Brunswick on the East Coast? They got ’em. Farina does a great job at stocking crowd favorites. Don’t be afraid to order an antipasto or insalata to pair nicely. Get there around sunset and watch the sun paint the Crossroads buildings while you enjoy an elegant affair.

Pearl Tavern

1672 N.W. Chipman Road, Lee’s Summit

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for one of the best happy hour oyster spots in KC (3 to 6 pm every day), drive to Lee's Summit and visit Pearl Tavern. Owned by the Lock family, who also own other restaurants, such as Summit Grill and Third Street Social, this place is between casual and upscale. Need a last-minute date night spot or a night out with friends? Pearl Tavern is the place. Let the neon oyster bar sign lead you to one of their high tops so you can view the stainless steel oyster bar in full force. Consistency is their song. Pearl Tavern’s oysters always have a fresh palate, a beautiful earl gray tint and plenty of variety from the East and West coasts. Service is above and beyond, with servers making sure you get your rounds-worth of oysters before 6 pm hits. Pearl Tavern is a restaurant that cultivates its customers and therefore has built a nice clientele of regulars.

Jarocho

13145 State Line Road, KCMO

719 Kansas Ave., KCK

A LONG-STANDING authentic Mexican seafood joint in KC, this lowkey but high-quality restaurant has a history for serving some of the best oysters in the city. What sets them apart from the rest? Their oysters are from Ensenada, Mexico, just south of California, and their creamy, sweet profile comes from the Pacific’s up-swelling currents. Add a splash of lime and experiment with one of Jarocho’s curated hot sauces, and you have a near-perfect oyster experience.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have oysters for $1.50, so plan on coming with an appetite. For a nice change of pace, they also have some wonderful grilled oysters in a chili butter. While Northern Pacific and Atlantic regions steal the hearts of many oyster lovers, Mexico’s selection also offers an impressive oyster spread, and Jarocho knows how to serve them.

Aqua Penny’s

11652 Ash St., Leawood

ANOTHER HIGH-CALIBER oyster spot outside Kansas City proper is in Leawood’s Park Place Shopping District. Penny Mufuka has over 30 years of experience cooking, and she’s had huge success with restaurants here in the KC suburbs. She most recently opened Aqua Penny’s across the street from another restaurant she owns, Bamboo Penny’s. With hanging ferns above suede seats, the vibe is relaxed and cool, and if you weren’t already looking for oysters, you might be convinced that it’s time to try a few. Aqua Penny’s most popular oysters come from Massachusetts’ Chesapeake Bay. These oysters’ delicate flavor derive from the converging fresh water of the local rivers and the Atlantic’s salty ocean water. Aqua Penny’s offers unique oyster dishes and condiments. Try some oysters "Aqua Penny style"—they come with chili paste and tiger cry sauce and are garnished with mint and crispy onions.

Grab Your Flannel And Head To

Black Dog Coffeehouse

By Kyle Wisecarver

WHEN TEMPERATURES START to drop, there is nothing quite as cozy as a pumpkin spice latte. However, there are a lot more seasonal latte flavors to discover, and Black Dog Coffeehouse (12815 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa) has just about the perfect fall drink: the sweet potato latte.

Black Dog is consistent in its latte execution, always dropping shots at a good rate and frothing milk to a velvety consistency. The

foundation of Black Dog’s signature seasonal latte is, of course, the sweet potato. The root vegetable is cooked down to mush and strained into a sauce, then folded with maple syrup and condensed milk. It’s this homemade concoction that gives the latte its unique flavor. It’s beautifully executed and not overpowering, allowing the creamy espresso to remain the star of the show. If you don’t like your coffee too sweet, this is the perfect drink for a blustery fall morning.

Doughlicious

Kayla Moser’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to baking and selling cookies out of the public library

By Ryan Reed

DURING OUR TALK about her cookie business, Kayla Moser and I are almost completely derailed by our love of public libraries. “I could talk about libraries for as long as anyone would listen,” Moser says. Libraries are easy to praise for their books, programming and resources, but for Moser, the reasons are different. “I bake all of my cookies at the Mid-Continent Public Library.”

Dough Drop Cookies has been serving familiar favorites and new flavors for over a year in Kansas City, providing made-from-scratch baked treats through its website and as a pop-up at local festivals.

“Just when it felt like it was a lost cause, it seemed like the stars aligned and the Mid-Continent Culinary Center opened.”

When Moser decided to dive into the cookie business, she was working at a job she loathed and needed to make a change. “I wanted to do something that I loved,” she says.

KAYLA MOSER’S PERFECT DAY IN KC

Coffee

While searching for whatever that “something” was, Moser’s partner reminded her of the joy she found in making cookies for family and friends. Moser is a self-taught baker. She is not the product of a culinary school. Rather, her instruction came from cooking with encouraging grandparents.

“The Mid-Continent Public Library would be involved in any version of my best day, likely with a mocha from the Novella Espresso Bar at the Green Hills location. But the Mayan Mocha with cayenne, dark chocolate and cinnamon syrup from the Gusto Coffee Shop in Parkville is a particularly delightful treat if you like a little spice in your sweet.”

Breakfast

“It’s biscuits and gravy from The Farmhouse in the River Market. I would like to say something more interesting, like their huevos rancheros, but I’m a biscuits and gravy girl.”

Lunch

“I have been going to Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop for years, and I still only order pad see ew (chicken, egg and broccoli over wide egg noodles) with thai iced tea and crab rangoon because, obviously, crab rangoon.”

Dinner

“St. Louis-style pizza at Caddyshack. I love the crispy crust and Provel cheese.”

Moser started to investigate the possibility of turning cookie-making into a business. Something about starting in her own kitchen didn’t feel invested enough, though, so she sought commercial kitchens to make cookies at scale. All the options felt too far from home or too expensive. Months passed and she started to lose hope. “Just when it felt like it was a lost cause, it seemed like the stars aligned and the Mid-Continent Culinary Center opened,” Moser says with kinetic joy in her voice.

Located at the Green Hills Library Center, the Mid-Continent Culinary Center provides commercial kitchens for rent, classes to support start-ups and routes to navigate funding for small businesses. Moser applied for one of the library’s scholarship programs and was accepted. She dreams of having her own kitchen and storefront someday, but for now, she does her baking at the library, and people can schedule to pick up online cookie orders there.

Her goods can be ordered through her website, found at local festivals like The Strawberry Swing or bought at a smattering of coffee shops, mostly in the Northland. A coffee shop favorite is her Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart cookie. doughdropcookies.com

Burnt Ends Meet High-end

By John Martello

A NEW DE SOTO storefront was a great excuse for a visit to Burnt End BBQ, an upscale barbecue restaurant with a full bar by the people behind the celebrated YaYa’s Euro Bistro.

“Upscale” barbecue? In terms of ambiance, think Q39 or Jack Stack, not Arthur Bryant’s. The De Soto restaurant (34071 Commerce Drive, De Soto) is in a former Burger King building, but you’d never know it. It’s bright and cheery, if a little noisy, and comfortable with prompt, friendly and thoroughly professional service.

Burnt End originally opened in Overland Park. A second location opened in Crown Center. De Soto was supposed to be a third outlet, but the company was committed to moving up from counter service and a limited drink menu to table service and a full bar, so resources shifted to focus on De Soto, and the Overland Park shop has closed. Pitmaster Stephen “Smokey” Schwartz says now that De Soto is up and running smoothly, the company is hunting for an ideal space further east in Johnson County to expand.

Burnt End BBQ's pitmaster

"Smokey" Schwartz

But why De Soto? The upcoming opening of the new Panasonic battery plant, bringing 4,000 jobs to the community, was certainly a factor.

“We knew it was an up-and-coming area,” Schwartz says. “We wanted to be part of the community, not just come into the community. There wasn’t a whole lot out here in terms of great restaurants, and we consider ourselves a great restaurant.”

A recent visit confirmed the boast.

The beef burnt ends are classic: full-flavored, smokey and moist. I paired them on a two-meat platter with pork burnt ends, an item I haven’t seen elsewhere and frankly did not find all that appealing. Pork is simply too lean for that kind of treatment. The chunks were dry and needed a lot of sauce.

The platter includes two sides. I tried a well-executed, basic creamy coleslaw and the cornbread bites, a signature item. The flash-fried cubes of honey butter-dipped cornbread had a thin crunch on the outside and a moist, tender interior. They’re a delight not to be missed.

Burnt End’s brisket french dip is an excellent example of the more-than-meat-and-bread BBQ sandwich. Moist, thinly sliced brisket is piled on a hoagie bun and topped with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions. It comes with a tasty horseradish dressing on the side, which serves it well, as would any of the four table sauces. The sandwich is plenty moist, and the ordinary au jus that also accompanies the sandwich is superfluous.

The restaurant proudly proclaims on a sign outside that their sauce was voted “best on the planet” at the American Royal. Schwartz says the Sweet Chipotle sauce was the prize winner, but all four are first-rate. The Thick and Bold sauce is a well-balanced, classic tomato-based Kansas City style; the Fire sauce brings plenty of lingering chili heat to a mustard sauce; Honey Glaze works well for the sweet-toothed diner; and the Sweet Chipotle offers a complex, satisfying combo of sweet, smoke and heat.

Smoked wings are proclaimed “(Probably) The Best Wings Ever” on the menu, and while that’s a judgment call, the wings did not disappoint: plump, meaty and flavorful with six sauce options to choose from.

The meats are served unsauced, allowing diners to sample the four table sauces and choose their favorites. Meats are smoked over oak, with a different housecrafted seasoning rub for each—except turkey, which gets a simple salt-and-pepper treatment. burntendbbq.com

Stephen

Newsfeed

What’s new in Kansas City food and drink

By Joyce Smith

The popular Crossroads sports bar Streetcar Grille and Tavern is expanding into the Northland.

The new restaurant opened in October (8340 N. Broadway, KCMO) across from Metro North Crossing.

“We have great partners invested and continue to hire great staff and treat them like family,” says John Glenn, operating partner. “We want to be the best sports bar and grill in the area. That’s our goal.”

The Northland menu will look much like the original restaurant’s and will include specialty burgers such as the River Market burger with barbecue brisket, cheddar and crispy onion straws. Its Twisted Grilled Cheese has pepper jack, cheddar, horseradish-chive cheese, jalapeno jam and fried cheese curds. It also has salads such as a grilled salmon Greek with housemade avocado dressing, a variety of macaroni and cheese dishes, and chicken and waffles. The new location will have 22 beers on tap and two specialty J.Rieger & Co. cocktails.

As for future a Streetcar Grille expansion in the metro? “That’s always an option,” Glenn says.

Sierra Grill goes casual

The owners of Lenexa’s upscale Sierra Grill are expanding with a more casual quick-service barbecue restaurant.

Ryan and Maricris Edwards, who opened Sierra Grill in 2017, opened their new spot called Sierra BBQ (11099 Lackman Road, Lenexa) at the end of October.

Sierra BBQ doesn’t have a bar, but it does carry canned and bottled beers, as well as canned cocktails.

Customers will order at the counter, and servers will deliver their food to the table for those dining in. The restaurant has about 50 seats but is geared toward take-out and delivery. It also will offer catering.

The

building

that housed Aspens will soon become an Irish pub

A longtime Kansas City restaurateur is moving into the beleaguered Overland Park restaurant building that once housed Aspens Restaurant and Lounge.

Ray Dunlea plans to open his popular Conroy’s Public House in the former Aspens building (6995 W. 151st St., Overland Park) with his wife, Molly, in mid-November.

Aspen Vaughn closed her namesake restaurant more than a year ago, after a controversy surrounding herself and Patrick Mahomes’ brother, Jackson, made running the business difficult, she told KMBC9 news at the time.

“It is kind of an iconic building,” Ray says. “It’s beautiful. I’m 71 years old. It was the last thing I wanted. But I went out to see it and walked through it. Molly and I looked at each other and said, ‘We’ve got to do it.’ The community out there wants a good bar, good restaurant with an Irish theme.”

The three Conroy’s Public House restaurants—in Leawood, Overland Park and Westwood—are known for their traditional Irish fare including fish and chips, Reubens and cottage pie. The menu also includes chicken fried chicken, chicken curry, burgers, pizza, pork belly lettuce wraps, wings and fish tacos.

Earlier this year, a Yelp story on “50 states, 50 pies you need to try” featured the savory Fisherman’s pie at Conroy’s. It comes with salmon, cod and shrimp in a cream sauce and is topped with a light puff pastry.

Ray has been operating Irish restaurants and bars in the KC area for two decades, including the former The Gaf in Waldo and Brady’s Public House on Troost.

The keys to Conroy’s success? “Irish is all heart and soul, and we put heart and soul in everything we do,” Molly says.

Streetcar Grille & Tavern moves north

Street tacos come to Parkville

Since Rosa Parra started managing Stone Canyon Pizza Co. in downtown Parkville six years ago, she’s had her eye on a corner building across the street.

Restaurants came and went in that spot.

“I thought Parkville deserved better,” says Parra, who lives 10 minutes from the downtown district. “We are a tight community. We all know each other.”

So when it became vacant again, she decided it was time to make her move. She signed a lease for K-Tacos & More with her husband, Guillermo Ramos, who has operated a Kansas City, Kansas, restaurant with his brother for 14 years.

The couple spent a month renovating the space in colors inspired by the Kansas City Current—a shout-out to women being in charge, Parra says.

A local artist did the murals of a large Day of the Dead skull, flowers and Alebrijes (Mexican spirit animals), including a longtailed cat, a bright yellow armadillo and a coiled snake. Soon, the artist will add a portrait of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Parra has been in the restaurant business for 20 years, starting as a server, then bartender and manager. “My journey in the restaurant business has been one of the most rewarding experiences,” Parra says. “There is a beauty in it that some people don’t see.”

Teenagers who worked for her went off to college and came back to take “big jobs,” she says.

“They come back and say I taught them to be responsible,” Parra says. “Restaurant jobs teach you to have people skills, multi-tasking, how to deal with angry customers. You have to make solutions on the spot.”

Brookside’s Flying Horse Taproom closes shop

Trey and Kelsey Sabates opened Flying Horse Taproom (600 E. 63rd St., Suite 100, KCMO) in 2018. They had planned to call it Brookside Pizza and Taproom, but it was on the site of an old Mobil gas station, which had a bright-red flying horse as its logo. So they changed the name in homage to its history.

The restaurant closed temporarily in November of last year for a refresh that included new furniture and paint, new menu items and a new service model— more of a dining experience than a neighborhood bar. Chef James Landis came on board to not only run the kitchen but also host beer and wine dinners and serve as general manager. The restaurant reopened in January.

But the refresh wasn’t enough. “It has run its course,” says Trey Sabates. “We need to focus on what’s working and where we see the growth.”

So the couple will continue to focus on their Brookside Wine and Spirits business next door. They opened it in 2012 and have since expanded into a bar service company for weddings, along with corporate and special events.

surreal estate

Known as the “Bull on Building” or “Bob,” the Hereford bull is a 5,500-pound bull replica made of fiberglass and polyester resin over a steel frame.

was to be a testament to the animal and the company. The AHA building was designed by Joseph Radotinsky, and his lead architect, Robert Manos, was the one who came up with the idea to add the bull. However, the statue itself was created by Paul Decker with the firm Rochetti and Parzinin of New York.

The statue was inspired by Hillcrest Larry IV, a 3-year-old, 1,900-pound bull in Maryland. An AHA field man and a few sculptors from the firm visited the giant Hereford and knew this beast would be the perfect model for the project.

The finished product was supposed to be presented in the summer of 1953. However, the bull was only half-finished, and it wasn’t until October 1954 when it was finally complete. Despite its unfinished state, President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the AHA in Kansas City and dedicated the bull on Oct. 16, 1953, as a tribute to those who have established “the Hereford breed as leader in the beef cattle world.”

Hereford Bull?

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane … No, It’s a

By Sophia Lacy

WHEN DRIVING ALONG 12TH STREET near the I-35 exit, drivers might spy something a bit unusual peaking through the west foliage—a giant Hereford bull.

Known as the “Bull on Building” or “Bob,” the Hereford bull is a 5,500-pound bull replica made of fiberglass and polyester resin over a steel frame. The bull itself stands 11 feet, 8 inches tall and is 19 feet, 7 inches long from nose to tail. Currently, it calls Mulkey Square Park home, but this hasn’t always been the case.

The bull first appeared outside of the American Hereford Association building in the 1950s. With the rise of Hereford registrations in the 1920s through ’50s, the piece

In 1997, the AHA moved and the bull was placed in storage. But the bull’s fate soon changed. In 2000, the Kansas City Parks and Recreation department tracked the bull down, wanting to display it once again. In 2002, the city and the AHA came to an agreement that stated the AHA could claim the bull within 20 years. That time has now passed.

“According to the Parks and Recreation agreement with the American Hereford Association and MC Real Estate Services, as of June 2022 the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department now permanently owns the bull,” says Angela Moss, assistant archivist of the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department.

Now, standing in Mulkey Square Park next to a baseball field and playground, the Hereford bull statue faces north, watching those driving along the 12th Street bridge.

Photography by Zach Bauman