The “life-blood” of any institution or organization is its “People!” “People-Power” is what makes it all happen, and keeps it going. BROOKSIDE, SOUTHTOWN & WALDO are all “unique,” each with their own identity, rich history, and close proximity to each other, and of course, comprised of people. Our combined monthly luncheons, morning coffee gatherings and after hours networkings, bring about a certain synergy when people who are the life-blood of our communities come together. As for Waldo, that synergy finds its way into meaningful projects with an impact on our entire community. We will be partnering with Novella Brandhouse, a “local” brand and design firm to promote and create media buzz and excitement for Waldo. We have ordered not just one but five colorfully decorated pianos to help support “Pianos on Parade” and Keys 4/4 Kids. We have engaged a “local” artist to create a newer gateway entrance into Waldo at 85

th & Wornall that will “embrace” the uniqueness of

our area. We will be working with the City to study the 75th & Wornall area to help with

the flow of traffic, bus stop appearance and locations, as well as pedestrian safety. We are actively working on a Streetscape and beautification/unification project. And we are particularly proud of the Storefront Improvement Grant, funded with “seed money” from the Waldo Community Improvement District, which has generated well over half a million dollars in storefront and façade improvements in the area! “Waldo is POPP ‘N!” Yes indeed, Waldo is alive and doing well. There’s lots of activity in the real estate market, new businesses are attracted to the area, some of the larger structures are being fixed up and renovated, and new construction is underway. It’s “PEOPLE” that’s making it happen!

Submitted by Waldo Area Business Association President Jerry Singer, Singer Automotive

April 2015 • 65th Edition

Southtown, Waldo, Brookside Monthly Events

Monthly Luncheon Wednesday, Apr. 15, 11:45am Presentation: Early Bird- Charlie Parker, Life & Music in KC by Chuck Haddix Location: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Ter. $12/person– Reservations Required! Call 816-523-5553. Catered by Bella Napoli

Monthly Networking

Wednesday, Apr. 22, 5-6:30pm The Well, 7421 Broadway Event sponsored by Morgan Miller Plumbing. Join with friends and new acquaintances at this informal networking!

Upcoming Events Friday through Sunday, May 1-3 Brookside Art Annual (see article)

Novella Brandhouse hosted the March networking and provided great treats and company.

Letter from the Waldo President

Things are “Popping in Southtown”

It’s Game Day

One day, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, 6330 Troost Ave., is gone and the next day, it’s back! Owners Crystal Lake Partners constructed a 2600 square foot brand new building with a modern and bright Louisiana décor after demolishing the existing building. The fresh design, combined elements of Popeyes spicy Cajun heritage, and a new fast-casual environment certainly warrant the Sparkle Award for the month of April.

“We now offer digital menu boards and a flat screen television to catch up on news and sports while you dine,” beamed corporate representative Kari Moody. “We are a close-knit organization that takes pride in actively managing our restaurants. We don’t want to be just a business in the community, but a part of the community,” continued Moody.

Popeyes is celebrating their 42nd anniversary after starting the first location in New Orleans and now home to more than 2000 stores. They offer fried chicken, seafood and a variety of delicious side dishes. Be sure to stop and experience the unique Louisiana décor’ and the delicious menu items any time between Sunday-Thursday, 10:30am-10:00pm and Fri-Sat., 10:30am-11pm. Special thanks to Popeyes for the reinvestment made along Troost Avenue and for sparkling in Southtown!

April’s Waldo’s Best can be found at Game Day Chicken Wings Burgers & Fish, 8950 Wornall Road. “We opened Game Day in the Waldo Area September 2014, with the desire to create such ‘a huge fuss’ about how good our food tastes that it would make KC folks drive miles to get a chance to enjoy great ‘home cooking’ that's hard to find in this city,” owners Kelvin and Rischa explain.

Game Day prides itself on delicious food and great customer service in a friendly environment. Diners can check out the latest in sports on their flat screen TV’s and relax to the sounds of smooth jazz playing inside and out on the patio that seats up to 50+guests. The vision of Game Day is to offer a menu that includes a wide variety of breakfast items all day. Customers can also feast on jumbo wings, catfish, greens, mac & cheese, country fried potatoes, party wings, 3

types of fish, extensive dessert options and more! Be sure to contact them to cater your next event. For more information visit the website www.gamedaychickenwingsburgersandfish.com. Hours of operation: Sunday-Monday 8am-4pm, Tues-Sat 8am-7pm, Thanks Game Day for being Waldo’s Best!

Fiddly Fig If you are looking for that “special” gift, look no further… visit The Fiddly Fig, 22 W 63

rd St. “The Fig” is known for their beautiful fresh flower arrangements, plants

and gift baskets. However, you’ll be surprised to see all the unique items in their extensive gift shop featuring candles, fragrances, lotions, home décor, purses and jewelry! Owner Sheryl White is proud to offer excellent service, same day delivery and a knowledgeable and experienced staff.

Brookside has been host to Fiddly Fig for the last 30 years. The “Station Building” was originally a combined police and fire station. The Station continued to operate for more than 60 years. After several other owners, Ms. White purchased the property in 1995. You can still see the original fire bell inside the store!

Exciting future improvements being planned include new landscaping, curbs and interior flooring. Make time to visit Fiddly Fig Monday & Saturday 9:00am-5:30pm and Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm.

Brookside St. Pat’s Parade Winners The 35th Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Day Warm-Up Parade drew thousands of people to the streets watching more than 110 parade entries. There were lots of cars, trucks, dogs of all kinds, drill teams, bag pipers, church and other non-profit groups, floats, dignitaries, and horses. This year’s Best Overall entry winner was the Euston Family sporting an Irish castle with the Brookside. The Best Float entry went to the Kansas City Bier Company and the Best Music winners were the St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums with Missouri Bank. Honorary mention was awarded to Friends of Hale Cook and the Kansas City Zoo.

Mr. and Mrs. Irish were Brookside Toy and Science owners Jim and Mary Jo Ward, celebrating the store’s 50th anniversary year. Councilwoman Jan Marcason was the Grand Marshall. Special thanks to Karl Roscoe and his team of car owners that provided the cars for the dignitaries; to Missouri Bank for hosting the pre-parade and decorating party; and a big shout out to the Kansas City Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund (NTDF) for financially supporting the parade.

Golf anyone? Treat your most valued associates and clients to the experience of a lifetime by taking part in the C&C Group Alphapointe Pro-Am. Each team will play 18 holes at Loch Lloyd Country Club with a Midwest Section PGA golf professional and be treaded to first class hospitality and service. Proceeds from the C&C Group Alphapointe Pro-Am Golf

Tournament will benefit the youth programming for children and teens that includes Low Vision Clinic, summer work experience and college prep programs, and two summer camp programs designed specifically for kids who are blind or visually impaired. Through your participation in the Pro-Am Golf Tournament, you will be opening the world of both adventure and technology to a child who is blind. Area businesses and individuals can also participate in the Pro-Am by donating goods or services to be included in the silent auction. If interested or to volunteer, call Sharon Brown at Alphapointe (816.421.5848). Alphapointe, 7501 Prospect Ave., is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has continued to serve people who are blind or visually impaired in the Kansas City, Missouri community and surrounding region since 1911. Alphapointe is the largest single employer of visually impaired individuals, employing 176 people, and is the only comprehensive rehabilitation and education agency for people with vision loss in the state of Missouri, serving more than 4,000 individuals.

The Nazarene Theological Seminary President Carla Sunberg invites you to a Community Prayer Breakfast on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 7, at 7:00am. The event will be held on the campus of the Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1700 East Meyer Blvd., KCMO 64131. Please RSVP on or before May 1st to www.nts.edu/prayerbreakfast.

National Day of Prayer

Thank you to Research Medical Center for printing The Link.

The Brookside Art Annual actually started with artists displaying their work in the windows of the shops. Now, 30 years later, the Art Annual is going strong under a street-long tent and in individual tents in the parking lot. This juried art fair, the first of the season in KC, is one of the top 25 art shows in the country. It features 185 local and national artists selected out of 1,000 plus applicants. The show is not possible without the help of a host of volunteers. The show is open from 5p-9p on Friday, May 1, 10a-9p on Saturday, May 2, and 11a-5p on Sunday, May 3. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Brookside office, 816-523-5553. The work shifts are usually 4 hours long throughout the weekend. It is a guaranteed good time!

Volunteers welcome