The Southtown Council selected Optical Innovations, 107 W. 63rd St. for the August Southtown Sparkle award. In Brookside for more than 2 years, owner Debbie Gifford has 32 years experience as an optician. She has taken a plain storefront and converted the space, both inside and out. On the inside, you will find a contemporary boutique with built-in glass cases, red and chrome floor cases and bamboo flooring. [img_assist|nid=719|title=Optical Innovations|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=320|height=240]The outside of the building was painted a golden yellow with light yellow highlights. The most exiting change is the addition of murals on the building. On the front is a mural of Audrey Hepburn's eyes while the side mural shows her wearing a pair of sunglasses. This is a scene from the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" movie. There are five huge and distinct pair of eyeglasses featured on the side of the building.

Optical Innovations provides prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, non-prescription sunglasses, safety and sport glasses, prescription diving masks, ski and swimming goggles. According to Gifford, "Our most unique characteristic is our uncommon frame selection.

The Southtown Planning Center, 6814 Troost Ave., now has approximately 1500 square feet of office space for lease. The space includes use of the conference room, kitchen facilities, parking, and storage. The security system, utilities, and office cleaning are included. This is great space with a pleasant office atmosphere! Contact Marti Lee, 816-523-5553 for more details.

The Southtown Council Board of Directors and the Beautification Committee have embarked on an exciting journey to establish a Community Improvement District (CID) for the Troost Avenue corridor. This is a fairly new tool that brings visible change to a community, gets everyone to participate, and allows all to benefit! A CID is an economic development tool that is used within a specific geographic area where more than 50% of the property owners band together, plan common area services and/or public improvements, and share the costs through a property assessment and/or sales tax. Currently there are more than 25 CID's throughout the KC metro area. Within the Southtown area, CID's are established in Brookside and along the Wornall Rd. corridor.

Blessed Homes Residential Care Facility, 305 E. 63rd St., provides newly renovated "mini-homes" with 10 bedrooms for the elderly and disabled 18 years and older. Blessed Homes is equipped with MD's, social workers, RN's, LPN's, CNA's dietitians, a physical therapist and an activity director for the residents. They provide a safe and quiet home, assistance of medication and grooming, preparation of food and housekeeping and much more. For more details, call 816-678-8061.

The Troost Bridge over Brush Creek has hopefully opened to two lanes of traffic by the time you are reading this or at least by mid-August. The Troost MAX and other local bus traffic will be up and running on Troost Ave instead of using the Rockhill Rd. detour. The entire project is expected to be completed by early next year.

The reconstruction of Wornall Rd. from 79th St. south is nearing completion. The water line has been replaced. The pavement work is 45% complete and the contractor is on schedule for completing the project this fall.

Thanks to a bequest from the Krasne Family Foundation, the New Reform Temple, 7100 Main St., was able to acquire the space west of their building on Gregory Blvd. "With the wonderful vision of garden designer Karen Lyman, the space was transformed into a place for many activities from weddings to Sunday school class space, extending the site literally and spiritually in a beautiful way," says Rabbi Alan Londy.[img_assist|nid=713|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=361|height=479] There are small and large patios with seat walls and serving-height walls, a large pergola with vaulted beams, and water features with three basalt columns creating a central feature of the garden. The

Zen and butterfly gardens add a special touch.

According to Lyman, "The design of the garden is rectilinear and repeats the style of the Synagogue while laid within the dictates of the terrain. Every tree, bush, shrub and flower was selected for a specific purpose including foliage, flower, bark, berry, fragrance, color and attractiveness to bird, butterfly and human." She is a Johnson County K-State Extension Master Gardener specializing in garden design, installation and project management through her business, Karen Lyman Fine Gardens. Her experience is with garden "projects" which include stone and concrete work, built structures, water features and a broad variety of other outdoor amenities, in addition to plants.

Congratulations to the New Reform Temple and Karen Lyman for a job well done. Thanks for being one of Waldo's Best!