Monthly Networking Events:

Wednesday, August 13, 5-6:30pm
Location: Dave Smith the Lamp Maker, 7432 Wornall Rd.

Wednesday, August 27, 8-9am
Location: Commerce Bank– Brookside, 6336 Brookside Plz.

Join with friends, see the businesses, and hear what is happening in the neighborhood at both these events.

This month’s Southtown Business Highlight is the UMKC Innovation Center at 4747 Troost Ave. helping emerging/existing business owners develop business basics. Created in 2005 by bringing together university business outreach services, each year the Center serves more than 3,000 clients, through training classes, one-on-one counseling sessions, and referrals to other support

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, previously the Toy and Miniature Museum of KC, plans to re-open in 2015 with a new ‘look’.  The new lobby will feature a sculpture called the “Toytisserie”, a two-story conveyor belt composed of 48 panels covered in toys, which will stimulate wonder and nostalgia for all!  As you might imagine, LOTS of toys are needed to pull this sculpture off!

Start off the September Troost Art Hop on the second Friday (September 12) at Studio RM Gardner, 1017 E. 55th St., for a special Troost Ave CID Happy Hour event from 6-7pm. The reception, “The Summer Draw,” will continue from 7-10pm for the public arts crawl. This exhibition will feature a salon-style collection of drawings from the artist's wide-ranging summer drawing project. Light refreshments will be available. See previews of the artwork on the artist's website at www.rmgardner.com.

Summer is passing by quickly and before long kiddos will be headed back to the classroom. Here is your chance to make a HUGE difference in the lives of those students who need your help. Gillis needs the following items:

Pens, Pencils, Colored Pencils, Glue Sticks, Tissues, Markers, Scissors, Pencil Cases, Notebook Paper, Pocket Folders, Crayons, Highlighters, Rulers, Dividers, 3 Ring Binders, Spiral Notebooks and Index Cards.

Disasters strike families and businesses every day. Locating and gathering important financial documents and information in the weeks and months following a flood, fire, tornado or other disaster can be a frustrating process. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has introduced Plan. Prepare. Prevail. resources to assist you.

These resources offer a convenient way for individuals, families and small business owners to learn about what financial documents and records they need to