Day: August 15, 2022

  • The Face of Your Best Move Ever: You Move Me

    The Face of Your Best Move Ever: You Move Me

    9875 Widmer Rd., Lenexa, Kansas | 913.708.8744 | youmoveme.com

    When it comes to the best moving experience in the city, look no further than You Move Me Kansas City, a part of the Southwind family of businesses. You Move Me continues to revolutionize the moving industry. They completed over 7,600 moves in 2020 and continued to grow despite a global pandemic. They work with HGTV Star and Kansas City’s own Tamara Day and have even moved local celebrities such as Travis Kelce. You Move Me continues to develop and train their people to become leaders and have already expanded into other territories outside of Kansas City. Whether you’re moving across town or even across the country, You Move Me will make it your Best Move Ever!

  • The Face of Staffing: Staffing Kansas City

    The Face of Staffing: Staffing Kansas City

    “Personnel Services with a Personal Touch” 

    9930 College BLVD., Overland Park, KS | 913.663.5627 | www.staffingkc.com

    “Personnel Services with a Personal Touch!”

    Staffing Kansas City sets itself apart as an employment partner. They listen to and solve clients’ hiring challenges.  The dynamic team has, collectively, over 90 years’ recruiting experience, placing Top Talent with 800+ companies.

    Staffing Kansas City is independently owned & WBE Certified.  With hands-on owners and powerhouse recruiters, clients trust their office hiring needs are in good hands.  

    The Women of Staffing Kansas City are honored to be the faces of the staffing industry.  They attribute their continued success to their drive and love for being a part of small business growth and employing 500+ people a year. 

    PICTURED: Shelley Seibolt, President; Marie Phelan, Associate VP of Recruiting; Roses Ammon, Vice President; Ashley Gardner, Recruiter; Michelle Lee, Recruiter; Alex Gearin, Recruiter

  • The Face of Sleep Medicine: Maniza Ehtesham

    The Face of Sleep Medicine: Maniza Ehtesham

    ExcellHealth Sleep Center | 10640 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS | 913.203.4040 | excellhealthsleep.com

    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 and residents. 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 by board certified sleep specialists for patients in and around Johnson County and is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Excellhealth provides inpatient sleep consultations, as well as home sleep studies and in-lab sleep studies. If you or your partner has a problem with snoring, insomnia, sleep apnea or any other sleep related disorder, Excellhealth can treat it.

  • TJ Roberts spreads love and community through coffee

    TJ Roberts spreads love and community through coffee

    TJ Roberts served his first cup of coffee when he was ten. When he grew up, he began working in the sales and insurance industries, but that isn’t what made him happy. Those coffee shop meetings did. So, while holding a day job, Roberts began working at coffee shops on the weekend. He was used to being the only Black person in any given space. Following the murder of George Floyd, Roberts noticed an indisputable difference in the industries––a difference in acceptance, understanding and effort to be better. This was the tipping point Roberts needed to start Kinship Cafe in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood.

    How have you seen your business’s values affect your customers? I think one of the things is that we asked our customers to partner with us a lot on a lot of different initiatives. We do sound meditation therapy here and we do light therapy sessions here. We do yoga here. But also we do different things during the day, like we have mugs that we have for sale here where all the proceeds go to the School for the Blind. We’ve done things with the Kansas City, Kansas, fire department here and we’ve asked people in our community to partner with us in those aspects, and honestly, that’s been the most overwhelming thing to experience. To hear back, “Wow, I love what you’re bringing into this community and what you’re doing.” 

    Are there other minority-owned small businesses that have helped shape your own business? Yes, all of the vendors that we use and that we work with, and even the artists that we have that come in. With all the opportunities that we have here with our vendors, like Asia Cakes and Crown Kreations and Smokey By Nature, Nico Nine, Erica Blasian––I mean the art from Felice to Anita Easterwood that we just got, to The Black Pantry. We really try to pride ourselves on saying, when you come to Kinship, you’re not supporting just our business; you’re supporting the culture. 

    What is special about coffee aside from the act of drinking it? Well, I would have to say preparing it and brewing it since I do that every day. I love that. I believe coffee creates community. Typically when I serve a cup of coffee, I’m serving it to two people. Someone’s having a meeting with someone, someone’s catching up with an old friend or maybe even a family member or what have you—and those two people are community. And so I think the unique, euphoric thing about coffee is how it does create a group of people together around the dinner table.  

    Favorite Spots

    First, Coffee: “It’s definitely going to grab some coffee with some friends or with my girlfriend and be able to just have a break. So one of the places that I love is Oddly Correct. I really enjoy going and grabbing a cup of coffee, and they have amazing biscuits.”

    Sports Scene: “One thing that I have enjoyed a lot of here as of late is going to different events like Sporting KC games, and I’ve been to a couple of KC Current games. Those are incredibly fun games to go to.”

    Dinner and Drinks: “Going into Parlor and enjoying live music and drinks there And there’s just lots of culture there. I like going where I kind of see a little bit of everything. I also like going to grab drinks at P.S., which is a speakeasy over at Hotel Phillips.”

  • The Face of Insurance: American Family Insurance Kimberly Hower, Agent

    The Face of Insurance: American Family Insurance Kimberly Hower, Agent

    10404 METCALF AVE OVERLAND PARK, KS | 913.649.2002

    Kim Hower is the newest FACE of KC in insurance. Although she has been associated with American Family Insurance since 2012, she only recently became an agency owner in December, 2021. Her ten year career with the company has spanned from being a CSR/Marketer to corporate roles of management assistance and operations to her current role as an agency owner serving the Overland Park community.

    Kim Hower & Associates LLC provides an extensive range of insurance products to help protect customers and help them feel safe and secure throughout their lives.  From commercial and small business insurance to life, vehicle and property protection, her team is committed to delivering the very best in the services they provide, ensuring that clients are fully and appropriately protected.

    Hower’s team philosophy is based on respecting and valuing all people and being good citizens in the communities they serve and living life adventurously.  They focus on diversity, realizing it takes people with different ideas, strengths, interests, and cultural backgrounds to make their company succeed. As the company leader, she fosters an environment in which employees can work hard, have fun, explore our world and be rewarded and contribute to their communities. Her goal is to attract top talent for the agency, so they can provide the best experience to clients with every interaction.

  • The Face of HVAC, Electric & Plumbing: MVP Air Conditioning, Heating,  Plumbing & Electric

    The Face of HVAC, Electric & Plumbing: MVP Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electric

    9851 Widmer Rd., Lenexa, KS | 913.322.0868 | themvpkc.com 

    Whether you need your air conditioner or furnace fixed, light switches installed, or even your sewer repaired, you can trust the team at MVP! 

    MVP is a part of the Southwind family of businesses and believes in doing things the right way, not the easy way. Since they joined Southwind in the fall of 2019, MVP has grown exponentially and even added a new plumbing department late last year. As a homeowner, you never know when you’ll have an emergency when it comes to your AC, heat, electrical or drains. But one thing you do know is that you can ALWAYS trust your MVP! 

    Rated A+ by the Kansas City Better Business Bureau, your MVP comfort advisor is available 24/7 and works hard to assure you are satisfied!

  • The Faces of Laser Vision Correction: Durrie Vision

    The Faces of Laser Vision Correction: Durrie Vision

    William C. Cheek, OD; Jason E. Stahl, MD; Kelly F. Grosdidier, OD

    8300 College Bvld. Suite 201, Overland Park, KS | 913.491.3330 | durrievision.com

    Durrie Vision is a refractive surgery center and research facility specializing in laser vision correction to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Offering the most advanced combination of diagnostic and treatment technology available, Durrie Vision is dedicated to delivering exceptional results through customized vision correction procedures, including SBK advanced LASIK, Phakic IOL, Refractive Lens Exchange and Refractive Cataract Surgery.

    Why choose Durrie Vision?

    •  Phenomenal patient experience    

    •  World-class doctors   

    •  The best available technology 

    When it comes to patient care, Durrie Vision pays attention to the little details that make a big difference. Visit www.durrievision.com to schedule your complimentary consultation.

  • The Face of Pediatric Dentistry: Michael LeBlanc, DDS LeBlanc Dentistry for Children

    The Face of Pediatric Dentistry: Michael LeBlanc, DDS LeBlanc Dentistry for Children

    Kansas City | Olathe | Overland Park | Prairie Village | 913.387.3500  | kidsmilekc.com

    Dr. Michael LeBlanc formed LeBlanc Dentistry for Children in 2005 to create the best dental experience for infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. Dr. LeBlanc and associates are board-certified pediatric dentists who provide a compassionate team of experts, professional dental cleanings and the best restorations for children, oral health education and a kid-friendly environment that will put your child at ease. Dr. LeBlanc completed his pediatric dental residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital and actively participates in dental educational research to continue to provide the highest level of dental care.

  • The Faces of Comprehensive Dentistry: Kasiya Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

    The Faces of Comprehensive Dentistry: Kasiya Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

    11538 W 119th St., Overland Park, KS | 913.940.3585 | kasiyadental.com

    Every good relationship begins with a smile. Dr. Kasiya and Kasiya Dental uses cutting-edge technology including a 3-D scanner that shows patients the simulated outcome of their Invisalign treatment.  They provide comprehensive and preventive dental services across all age groups.

    Our friendly, compassionate and well-trained team will create a luxurious, personal and pleasant experience. Our newest team member, Shasha, is a hypoallergenic goldendoodle emotional support dog that provides affection, comfort and support to patients.  Follow Shasha’s adventures on her Instagram, @shasha_kasiya_dental_dog.

    Dr. Kasiya earned her DDS at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry; CLS (Clinical Lab Scientist), IMMC, Des Moines, IA; and BA Medical Technology, Wartburg College, Waverly, IA.

    New patients of all ages are welcome. Weekend, early morning and evening appointments available. Like us on Facebook  @KasiyaDental.

  • The Faces of Leadership in Long Term Care: Method Healthcare

    The Faces of Leadership in Long Term Care: Method Healthcare

    Betsy Reynolds, Director of Pharmacy Consulting, PharmD, Rodney Whittington, CEO

    11709 Roe Ave., Ste D #153 Leawood, KS 66211 | 913.526.5489

    Betsy Reynolds and Rodney Whittington are redefining what long term healthcare looks like for residents and patients by working closely with the facilities who care for them, by utilizing a combined 30 years of professional experience in the industry. Together, they are keenly tuned into the competitive marketplace, keeping up with challenging regulatory demands and optimizing operations for their communities. By bringing a wealth of insight and experience they offer optimal success to their long term care partners.

  • The Faces of Residential Development: Rodrock Development 

    The Faces of Residential Development: Rodrock Development 

    Brian Rodrock, Jeff Reglin, Jeff Gifford

    9550 Dice Lane, Lenexa, KS | 913.681.2121 | rodrock.com

    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 Holistic Dentistry & Tongue Tie Releases: Timothy Herre, DDS Herre Holistic Dental KC

    The Face of Holistic Dentistry & Tongue Tie Releases: Timothy Herre, DDS Herre Holistic Dental KC

    11201 Nall Ave. Suite 120, Leawood, KS | 913.491.4466  | holisticdentalkc.com 

    Herre Holistic Dental KC is a health-centered, third-generation family dental office that has been serving Johnson County since 1953. Their mission is to help you become the best version of yourself, and this starts with identifying the root cause of your concerns through whole-health screenings rather than just managing disease. The care at Herre Holistic Dental is driven by an airway-centered philosophy: Knowing how we breathe is critical to our overall health. Dr. Tim Herre removes mercury fillings in a safe manner and only uses biocompatible materials. They specialize in treating patients with TMJ/jaw pain, sleep apnea and breathing disorders. Dr. Tim has a special focus on treating tongue ties in patients of all ages, early interceptive orthodontic treatment (jaw expansion) to help kids grow and breathe, and Invisalign. The Herre Holistic Dental team also has biologically trained dental hygienists. Their team is dedicated to helping provide whole-health solutions for your whole family. Let them help you connect the dots between your oral health and your overall wellness!

  • The Face of Weight Loss: The Center For Nutrition Rick Tague, MD

    The Face of Weight Loss: The Center For Nutrition Rick Tague, MD

    4963 W. 135th St., Leawood, KS | 913.814.8222 |  TagueNutrition.com

    Rick Tague, M.D., M.P.H. & T.M. is a medical weight loss and “optimum health” specialist. An Alpha Omega Alpha honors graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine, he holds a master’s degree in public health from Tulane and is board-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine. 

    Dr. Tague founded the Center for Nutrition and Preventive Medicine clinics in 1996 and has assisted over 30,000 patients in their pursuit of weight loss and improved health. 

    For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 814-8222 or visit taguenutrition.com.

  • The Face of Sports and Spine Medicine: Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics C. Lan Fotopoulos, MD 

    The Face of Sports and Spine Medicine: Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics C. Lan Fotopoulos, MD 

    4320 Wornall Rd. Suite 610, Kansas City, MO | 3651 College Blvd., Leawood, KS | 913.319.7678 ext.3109  |  dd-clinic.com

    Dr. C. Lan Fotopoulos is an interventional physiatrist who’s been voted “Super Doc” nine years in a row. 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 also interventionally treats chronic knee pain. He has a background as a diver in the U.S. Navy and expertise and board certification in hyperbaric and diving medicine.

  • The Faces of Wealth Management: Mariner Wealth Advisors

    The Faces of Wealth Management: Mariner Wealth Advisors

    5700 w. 112th st., suite 200 Overland Park, KS | 913.647.9700 marinerwealthadvisors.com

    When you become a client of Mariner Wealth Advisors, we get to know you first, then create a wealth plan designed just for you. Whether you need to modify your estate plan, integrate your tax and investment  strategies or adjust your asset allocation, our in-house teams will partner with you to develop a coordinated plan. We offer 360° advice designed to last from a wealth team dedicated committed to being here for everything life brings your way.

    Mariner Wealth Advisors (“MWA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of Kansas. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For additional information about MWA, including fees and services, please contact MWA or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (adviserinfo.sec.gov). Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you invest or send money. MWA does not provide all services included here. Some services are provided by affiliates and are subject to additional fees.

  • The Face of Wellness in Kansas City: aNu Aesthetics(™) and Optimal Wellness

    The Face of Wellness in Kansas City: aNu Aesthetics(™) and Optimal Wellness

    Cristyn Watkins, MD Founder/CEO/Medical Director

    NORTH LOCATION: 10090 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City, MO 64153 | 816.670.4406

    RIVER MARKET: 547 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 | 816.339.5053

    LEAWOOD: 11401 Nall Ave Suite 218, Leawood, KS 66211 | 913.298.6230

    anuaesthetics.com

    Dr. Cristyn Watkins is the FACE of Wellness in KC for her work and expertise provided at aNu Aesthetics™ and Optimal Wellness. She is board certified in family medicine and is also certified in integrative, metabolic, and nutrition medicine. Watkins, the owner and visionary of her practice since 2011, also works alongside her team of medical and aesthetic experts in multiple locations throughout the metropolitan area. They are focused on advanced medical aesthetics, regenerative medicine, healthy aging, and personalized wellness medicine. 

    Dr. Watkins began her career as a traditional family medicine physician for more than 10 years, but struggled with her own chronic health issues and wanted to find another alternative to pharmaceuticals and limited answers. Through her journey, she was called to learn functional medicine to help heal herself and others, thus creating aNu Aesthetics™ and Optimal Wellness.

    At that time, she added anti-aging and functional medicine to her practice, which allowed her to focus on a multitude of issues, such as bowel issues, autoimmune disease, chronic infections, toxins, endocrine issues, infertility, insulin resistance, anxiety, depression, medical weight loss, bio-Identical hormones and more!  She blends traditional and alternative options to find the root of the problem and develop a comprehensive plan that is personalized to each individual patient. 

    Xanax is definitely the best medication for anxiety treatment. I’ve been dealing with this problem for five years and took several different benzodiazepines. Xanax turned out to be perfect for me. It works pretty fast, and I don’t have any significant adverse reactions to the drug. I’m so thankful to my doctor for recommending this drug.

    As she continued to look for other options to further treat advanced chronic disease, inflammation, pain, fatigue and immunity issues, Dr. Watkins completed further advanced training in 2008 and added regenerative medicine to her practice.  Some of these advanced treatments include:

    •  PRP

    •  Ozone

    •   Peptides

    •  IV Nutritional Therapy

    •  Advanced Biologics

    Her most recent research and practice is focused on these advanced therapies and led to becoming a national regenerative medicine trainer for nurse practitioners with RegenEd.  She co-owned Regenerative Treatment Centers of Kansas and recently transitioned this successful practice to her third aNu location in Leawood, Kansas. She now has three locations to help serve Kansas City and the surrounding community. 

    She is fervent in her search for progressive options and is continually learning and searching for the next breakthrough treatments in anti-aging medicine and aesthetics. Her vision is to bring her advanced procedures and medicine to as many people as possible, so they may enjoy wellness and beauty from the inside out.

  • The Faces of Real Estate: Malfer & Associates, Compass Realty Group

    The Faces of Real Estate: Malfer & Associates, Compass Realty Group

    1920 W 143rd st., SUITE 200, Leawood, KS | 913.800.1812 | MalferKC.com

    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. The team is hand-picked by Kristin Malfer herself, ensuring that each agent delivers exceptional customer service. With a white glove concierge experience, the team provides clients with the utmost professional benefits including home staging, professional photography and videography, among many others. They offer a hassle-free experience from start to finish with a thorough plan for buying and selling a home. 

    The company’s multiple locations in Leawood, Town Center Crossing and Shops of Prairie Village have it all: home staging, new construction, relocation specialists and a business development division. They now have access to a network of over 25,000 agents who represent the top agents in the industry and are able to gain national reach by increasing the marketing for each listing. With an eye for design, a feel for the city, extensive market knowledge and genuine Midwestern hospitality, Malfer & Associates is the top choice when finding your dream home or selling your current home. 

    #3 Top Producing Real Estate Team in KC, ranked by the Kansas City Business Journal

    #2 Team in Kansas by Sales Volume, ranked by RealTrends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals

  • The Faces of Aesthetics Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT Founder/Chief Beauty Officer

    The Faces of Aesthetics Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT Founder/Chief Beauty Officer

    4505 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111 | 816.946.8484 | www.georgouskc.com

    Georgous Aesthetic Bar is the first of its kind in Kansas City, unlike any other med spa you may have experienced. In 2019, when Georgia Cirese and her daughter, Mary Katelyn opened the Bar, they defined a new category of boutique clinics. With Georgia at the helm, it quickly became a premier facility for hundreds of patients seeking medical procedures in a comfortable, spa-like environment. 

    Cirese is a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) and Registered Nurse (RN). She is also widely recognized as a trainer and mentor in her field. With education and training being a passion of hers, she incorporates time with the Aesthetic Advancements Institute, a premier continuing medical education training organization, to teach others across the country. 

    The Kansas City region benefits from the skill and talent she brings to the area as a nationally recognized master injector and skilled cosmetic expert. She leads her team in administering non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as wrinkle relaxers (Botox®, Dysport® and Jeuveau®), cosmetic fillers, thread lifts and laser therapy treatments, such as IPL, BBL, HALO and hair removal. Her clinic also specializes in chemical peels, microneedling, CoolSculpting®, Juvederm® filler, DiamondGlow® facial treatment and Radiesse® BootyLift. These science-backed treatments are focused on addressing concerns of aging, pigmentation, sun damage, acne, skin texture and body contouring, while physician grade skincare products are also available.

    With each treatment, Georgia and her team deliver on their philosophy of looking fresh and natural, believing that “the best aesthetic treatments are undetectable”. You can visit Georgous Aesthetic Bar two blocks north of the Country Club Plaza.

  • Tiki Huna’s Trent Kesterson challenged himself to make a carrot cocktail—with wonderful results

    Tiki Huna’s Trent Kesterson challenged himself to make a carrot cocktail—with wonderful results

    Carrots are an uncommon ingredient in cocktails, which is exactly why Trent Kesterson wanted to use them. Kesterson is the owner of Tiki Huna and develops the drink recipes, including a seasonal creation using carrots that he calls The Scenic Root.

    “Every time we change the menu, I like to give myself a curveball ingredient, Iron Chef-style, just to see if I can come up with something,” he says. “This time it was carrot juice because I really wanted to see a bright-orange cocktail.”

    The resulting drink is, indeed, bright orange, with an earthy sweetness that remains tropical and fits with the rest of the menu at Tiki Huna, which is among the containers at the Iron District in North KC and is currently the only full-time tiki bar in KC. But it wasn’t just for looks.

    “The earthy qualities led me to use a golden raisin-infused rich simple syrup and add the herbal spice of allspice dram and Campari,” Kesterson says. There’s a little fresh lemon and orange to give a pucker of sourness. 

    The rums, though, are “the most important part” of this drink, as they are in most tiki cocktails. There are four in The Scenic Root, starting with a base of two different aged rums, then a grassy rhum agricole and a funky overproof Jamaican rum “to round things out.” “Because,” Kesterson says in the ancient words of IronChef, “why not?”

  • Krizman’s barbecue roll might just be the world’s best smoking sausage

    Krizman’s barbecue roll might just be the world’s best smoking sausage

    Whether or not you’ve made it to the spartan brick building in KCK’s Strawberry Hill neighborhood, you’ve likely had a Krizman’s sausage. Krizman’s opened way back in 1939 and sells its wares to Jack Stack, Slap’s, Arthur Bryant’s, Hayward’s and others.

    Krizman’s sausages also appear at a lot of backyard barbecues—at least among discerning home cooks. I heard about them from Dan Hathaway, manager at The Kansas City BBQ Store, while competing in a little event thrown in the KCBS parking lot. I asked Hathaway, who knows as much about backyard cooking as anyone, about his preferred smoking sausage, and he didn’t hesitate to pick the Krizman’s barbecue roll.

    “Growing up, Krizman’s sausage has always been one of my first memories of eating BBQ in Kansas City,” he says. “I didn’t realize what it was until many years later when I learned they supplied many of my favorite places in town.”

    They also supply his team—and a few teams that have won big at competitions. Those cooks favor the fresh, not pre-smoked or frozen, “barbecue roll,” says owner Joe Krizman III, whose grandfather founded the business. And by fresh, they mean fresh. “Nothing sits around for more than a day here,” Krizman says.

    Krizman’s grandfather started the business as a grocery store. The house sausages were by far the most popular product—at the time, there was a big demand for blood sausages and head cheese in the heavily Croatian neighborhood of Strawberry Hill. 

    “My grandfather worked in the packing houses, and his brother-in-law talked him into a small mom ‘n’ pop grocery store,” Krizman says. “He started making a polish sausage in the back room of their grocery store. Everyone was coming for the sausages. The grocery store was second fiddle.”

    In the early ’70s, Joe Krizman II stripped the shelves of other groceries and started focusing exclusively on sausages. Joe Krizman III has been working at the family business since 1987 and bought it from his dad in 2010.

    “Part of the key to our sausage is that all we do is sausage,” he says. “If you go to a grocery store or another butcher, they will put their scraps in. We just put in the finest cuts of pork and beef.”

    That’s right: Sausages at Krizman’s aren’t all snouts and ears. They don’t even buy whole hogs. Instead, at Krizman’s, they just buy pork shoulder to be ground up, seasoned and stuffed.

    The seasoning profile is a big part of the appeal, of course. The barbecue roll comes in spicy or regular. I liked the spicy paired with a very sweet sauce, like Slap’s relatively thin sugar bomb. The casing is also important: Krizman’s uses a natural beef that’s a “bigger, heavier casing so if you want to put that in your smoker, you can smoke it for a couple of hours and that casing will hold up.”

    Indeed, I ran some errands and left it in my smoker an extra hour, and it was still perfect after four hours above 300 degrees. As far as forgiving and flavorful smoking sausages, the Krizman’s barbecue roll is hard to beat.

    Or, as Hathaway put it: “The BBQ roll is one of the reasons we are the ‘BBQ Capital of the World.’”

  • The new Plaza Aesthetics and Wellness is using a high-tech skin analysis system to determine the “age” of your skin

    The new Plaza Aesthetics and Wellness is using a high-tech skin analysis system to determine the “age” of your skin

    A clean, fresh-face look is in, especially during these humid days when nobody has time to sweat off a face full of foundation. That means getting your skin regimen locked down is key, and it can be difficult to know which products and procedures are best for your skin just by looking at the surface. A deeper look at your face can tell you which areas to treat—pores, wrinkles or brown spots—and how to treat them. 

    Ashlee Campbell, a medical aesthetician at Plaza Aesthetics and Wellness, is used to looking at faces and coming up with targeted skincare plans and treatment options. But lately, she’s been using a relatively new machine called the Visia Skin Analysis System to help her provide a more accurate and thorough consultation. 

    It’s a quick process. After putting your face in the Visia, it rotates around your head to capture a series of images of your skin’s surface and subsurface. The images pinpoint textured areas, UV and brown spots, pores, wrinkles, porphyrins (bacteria excretions), blemishes and red areas. Then the system analyzes the images to indicate which parts of your skin need work. It also tracks your skincare progress over time. 

    “You know, it’s hard when you look at yourself every day to see the progress of using good skincare,” Campbell says. “This is a really good tool to help you see improvements deep within your skin.”

    Campbell says that with the Visia machine, it’s easy to have direct, honest conversations with people about their skin. “It’s clinical,” she says. “It’s not just making up random things. Sure, it can be used as a selling tool, but it’s not a gimmick.”

    While images from the Visia reveal what’s happening below the surface of the skin, they also mark problem areas that are visible to the eye. If you know you have texture on your cheeks, for instance, the images will highlight those areas while also coming up with a treatment plan and product recommendations for improving your skin’s texture.  

    The machine has a few fun features, too, like the advanced aging simulation, which gives you an idea of what your face might look like from your current age to eighty years old. There’s also the injectables simulation feature, which generates a picture of what your face would look like after receiving Botox, filler and other injections.  

    After reading your face, the Visia system analyzes the images and gives you the age of your skin. So while you might only be thirty-two years old, your face age could be forty-five. Of course, age is just a number—but in this case, the number might tell you that all those years of forgetting to apply sunscreen are catching up with you. And it’s better to know the truth, right?