Business West to sponsor meeting about U.S. Census
Dr. Alan organ, who taught at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, will be the featured speaker at a quarterly membership meeting of Business West at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 1 in the Community Room of Country Club Bank, 11006 Parallel Pkwy. Dr. Organ is a partnership specialist with the Census Bureau and will talk about the importance of the Decennial Census which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Dr. Organ is working with various public and community organizations to help assure that everyone is counted. Dr. Organ said that the census count is used in the distribution of federal funds. Persons wishing to attend the Business West meeting should telephone 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266 (cell) or email [email protected]. The cost, which will include breakfast, will be $10 a person.
Former Business West President remembered
Al Gatton, who served as President of Business West, died March 23. He was 96 years old. Loren Allen Gatton Jr. was born on June 22, 1922 on a farm near Crane in Stone County in Southwest Missouri. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was a longtime employee at Trans World Airlines. He was also in the property building and management business. He and his late wife, Betty Gatton, were the parents of three sons. The family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to Kiwanis West of Kansas City, Kansas, P.O. Box 9002, Kansas City, KS 66112.
Dentist to speak at The Piper
Dr. Ryan Brittingham, a dentist from Lawrence, will be the featured speaker at the Coffee and Conversation meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 4 at The Piper Assisted Living and Memory Support. Dr. Brittingham will talk about new dental procedures.
College to host annual celebration
Kansas City, Kansas, Community College will sponsor its annual Mid-America Awards and Hall of Fame Awards Scholarship Event at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the College’s Tech Education Center, 6565 State Ave. Mark Dupree, the Wyandotte County District Attorney and his wife Shannelle Dupree, will be the honorary co-chairpersons for the event. Four persons will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. They will be Leon Brady who taught instrumental music at Sumner High School, owns Brady and Sons Music Company and teaches students in percussion; Rebecca Dukstein who directs the KU Trio Talent Search Program that helps provide personal guidance for middle and high school students; Dr. Jacqueline Vietti, who served as President of Butler County Community College, Eldorado, Kan., and was interim President at Kansas City, Kansas, Community College; and Michael and Guadalupe Dean, who are leaders in the Hispanic business community with Mi Ranchito Tequila and their foundation, La Familia Lozoya; They are committed to educating Hispanic youth. For more information about the event, telephone Sharon Clay.913-288-7353.
Director receives top award
Bridgette Jobe, the Executive Director of the Kansas City, Kansas, Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, received the Hospitality Leadership Award Feb. 16 during a recognition dinner. Kurt Mayo, the Executive Director of the Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City, cited Jobe’s 20 years of hospitality experience when the tourism has grown substantially in Kansas City, Kansas. She serves on various tourism-related boards.
BPU charity seeks applications for golf benefit funds
The Board of Public Utilities Employee Charity Golf Corporation is seeking applications from charities that benefit children. Eligible charities would need to be in the area served by the BPU. Applications should be emailed to [email protected] by Thursday, April 11. Since 1992, the annual event has raised more than $581,000. This year’s tournament will be Saturday, Sept. 7 at Dub’s Dread Golf Course.
Economic Development Director named
Katherine Carttar was recently named Economic Director for the Unified Government. Three of her major efforts will be the American Royal project, the downtown grocery store and the redevelopment of Indian Springs. She has worked in economic development in Kansas City, Mo., and for the City of Edwardsville. She came to the Unified Government in April 2018.
Refinancing approved for Indian Springs
The Unified Commission approved the refinancing of $12 million of general obligation bonds for the former Indian Springs Shopping Center Thursday, March 7. The property is owned by the Unified Government. Plans call for Scavuzzo’s Foodie Park.
Training offered for hospitality, travel, tourism industry
The Hotel and Lodging Association and the Greater Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, Convention and Visitors’ Bureau will sponsor an awareness training session concerning human trafficking for those in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Monday, April 29 at the Great Wolf Lodge. Those making presentations will include representatives from the office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and the End Child Prostitution and Trafficking organization. To register, www.ag.ks.gov/ht-training.
Members always welcome
All Business West members are welcome to attend the monthly meetings of the
Business West Board of Directors. The board meets at noon the third Wednesday of each month in the Board Room of The Dotte Spot Bar and Grill, 8123 Parallel Pkwy. in the Arrowhead Center.