Gunter Pest Management is pleased to announce the acquisition of Modern Fire Safety LLC. (www.modernfiresafety. com). Modern (formerly Modern Supply Co.) was founded in 1947 by Buck Cramer, and since 1951 was headquartered at 1001 Cleveland Ave., Kansas City, MO. In August 2010, Gunter purchased the business from the Cramer family. On March 1, 2011, Gunter moved the operation to its Waldo location at 212 W. 72nd Street, just east of 72nd and Wornall Road. Modern is not only the oldest fire safety business in Greater Kansas City, but is also the only fire safety business in South Kansas City.

[img_assist|nid=648|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=320|height=245]
Tower Homes Association (THA) is proud to be the Waldo Tower's biggest fan. After all, the 13-story, crenellated, concrete icon is their namesake and the geographic and symbolic heart of their neighborhood--why wouldn't they be stewards of its restoral?

Now, after a modest startup donation from THA a couple of years ago, the Waldo Tower Historic Society (WTHS) is a full-fledged non-profit organization barreling ahead with a multi-year campaign to see the tower restored to gleaming white glory and historic accuracy. The Society has already gotten heartening response from the city in completing a condition report that lays out the feasibility and priorities for conducting historic preservation on the venerable tower. That report indicates that the structure is basically sound but needs a new roof, a new egress and ladder on the inside, removal of non-original features and extensive surface treatment-it's a massive project, and could cost up to $800,000.00 when all is complete.

Earlier this month, Rockhurst University began work on the new parking garage at the corner of Troost Avenue and Rockhurst Road. The new building will provide more than 400 parking spaces and 10,000 square feet of retail space. The construction is expected to be completed by December of this year. This is the first project in Phase I implementation of the University's campus master plan.

The parking garage will be a community supported and environmentally friendly designed building featuring signage to include the MAX station, glass stairwell towers and awnings to minimize the multi-story feel of the building, and a green wall of ivy! To learn more, visit
www.rockhurst.edu/masterplan.

[img_assist|nid=637||desc=|link=node|align=left|width=319|height=179]
More than 80 booths providing health information and free screenings will be set up on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Research Medical Center west parking lot at 2316 E. Meyer Blvd. There will be a children's area with carnival games, face painting, free books and bike helmets, and a free soccer clinic with t-shirts and balls for the first 200 children! The ½ mile and 1 mile "Fun" Walk begins at 11am.

"Pace for the Place" is one fun event. Join Missouri Bank for this memorable event benefiting The Children's Place. They plan to help a lot of kids in need, and have [img_assist|nid=635|title=Pancakes|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=120|height=150]fun at the same time with a 3-mile walk through Brookside, pancakes served by Chris Cakes, Roasterie coffee, and entertainment from Radio Disney.

Even if you can't be part of the walk, come flip for kids - enjoy some pancakes on Missouri Bank. The fun begins on Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. at Missouri Bank in Brookside, 7 W. 62nd Terrace. E-mail amandam@mobank.com

[img_assist|nid=631|title=Madeline Romious|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=214|height=300]Welcome to another exciting year of endless opportunities for optimism in the Southtown community! I have the immense pleasure of serving as the 2011 Board President for Southtown Council. As someone who represents AT&T in various communities in the metropolitan area, educates her son in local schools and frequents the shops and restaurants here, I can honestly say that now is a great time to be in Southtown. About five years ago, I began handling external and public affairs for AT&T and quickly found that Southtown was an eclectic patchwork of businesses and neighborhoods within one vibrant cohesive community. The area represents a diversity of people, neighborhoods, businesses, thought, and activities that can only peacefully co-exist in the most forward thinking and progressive communities.

Recently, the Boards of the Southtown Council, Waldo Area Business Association and Brookside Business Association gathered for our yearly retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Living Your Best Southtown/Waldo/Brookside Life Ever." I interpret that as living, working and playing each day in our community like it is a great day and taking full advantage of all it has to offer. For twenty-nine years, Southtown has worked to support the success of economic development, businesses and neighborhoods in the area.