The Midwest Christian Counseling Center in conjunction with Baker University holds an annual Heart of America Ethics in Business Awards Banquet. This year, a number of people and organizations from our community and membership were nominated. These include Almar Printing, JE Dunn Construction, Marti Lee, and Speed Queen Fabric Care Center.

The event is April 17, 7pm at the Hyatt Regency. The recipients will be announced at the dinner. If you would like to more information, call 816-523-5553.

You are invited to attend the upcoming information sessions provided by the Blue Hills Community Services. The sessions are free but reservations are required by the Friday prior to the session date. All sessions are held at the Blue Hills Resource Center, 5309 Woodland from 6-7pm. Refreshments and materials are provided.

March 20- Protect yourself from Identity Theft- Presenter- Brender Benson, M&I Bank
April 17- Strategies for Reducing Vacant and Abandoned Structures in your Neighborhood- Presenter- Renea Nash, KCMO Vacant Properties Operations

The following organizations joined the Southtown Investors Club in February 2008:

Bank Midwest, 8 yrs
Commerce Bank, 26 yrs
Missouri Gas Energy, 24 yrs
Muehlebach Funeral Home, 26 yrs

If March comes in like a lion, how about a lion, or 10 lions, coming out with March?

Willa’s Books & Motif, 5535 Troost Ave. was selected for the February Southtown Council Sparkle Award. New to Troost Ave., Willa’s Books provides a wide variety of books including new, used, and rare one. They also offer one-of-a-kind jackets, purses, pillows, and other creative goods. This is a one-stop shop for unique items. According to owners Willa Robinson and Saundra Newsom, “our mission is to provide exposure to the black culture.”

Each year the board members from Southtown, Waldo, and Brookside gather for an afternoon of planning and discussing ways to improve for the organizations and communities. This year, the group focused on ways to better market/promote the many assets and resources of our areas, such as the history, diversity, and abundance of locally owned businesses.