|
2005
The Unicorn Theatre - Changing the Face of Midtown
For over 32 years The Unicorn Theatre's Artistic Producing Director, Cynthia Levin has been committed to preserving and strengthening Kansas City's Main Street Corridor. Both as a cultural and a business boon for midtown, the Unicorn Theatre's capital improvements will help create fresh interest, as well as bring added vitality to Kansas City's urban area.
The Unicorn Theatre's long standing commitment to mid-town Kansas City began by turning an 80 year old garage into a performing arts space. In recent years the Unicorn Theatre has earned the reputation as Kansas City's premier Theatre, providing patrons with award winning, thought provoking plays which otherwise would not be seen in the area.
4,600 square feet is being added to the Unicorn's current facility, converting a former retail space into a multi-purpose performance and classroom space. Expanding its current location the theater, (1) provides economic and employment benefits to Westport communities, (2) restoration of an historic building, helping in the beautification of the Main Street Corridor, (3) provides the area with increased status as a performing arts destination.
Last year Park University President Beverly Byers-Pevitts approached Cynthia Levin regarding Park's need to reinstate their undergraduate theater degrees in acting, directing and technical theater production. The Unicorn is building a classroom that creates opportunities for apprenticeships as well as internships. Working side-by-side with Park administrators and students, the Unicorn's artistic staff will function as adjunct faculty, training and educating students to help them develop into tomorrow's theater professionals.
Unicorn has been awarded $250,000 in tax credits from the Neighborhood Assistance Program of the Missouri Division of Community Development. These credits are available to most businesses donating to Unicorn's Next Stage Capital Campaign. Credits can be used over 5 years to pay Missouri tax liabilities and can reduce the actual cost of the donation by 50%. Donors are encouraged to contact Jeffrey Blaha at Unicorn Theatre - (816) 531-7529, extension 13 or JBLAHA@Unicorn theatre.org for further information regarding the program.
Pilgrim Center Youth Leadership Grants
Pilgrim Center, Inc., a community organization formed in 2003 by the merger of Pilgrim Chapel and Westport Allen Center, has established a grant program to assist Westport area youth.
Grants of up to $1,000 are available to Westport churches and neighborhood associations for use in establishing or supporting programs that involve youth in leadership positions within their own community.
According to Roger Coleman, Pilgrim Center Director, the number of families with young children and teenagers living in midtown Kansas City continues to increase. At the same time, Coleman and other community leaders acknowledge that few organized activities currently exist for midtown youngsters. "The Uplifting Westport Youth Leadership Grant program was established by the Pilgrim Center Board as a way to involve churches and neighborhood associations in addressing this shortage. We are hopeful that those who have a major stake in the future of midtown will come together to establish Westport as a community that cares for its youngest members."
Funding for the grant program comes from resources generated by the sale of the former Westport Allen Community Center and from Combat, the Jackson County anti-drug tax. In addition to providing these grants, Pilgrim Center sponsors other programs and activities for children and youth including the popular "Hyde Park Children's Film Festival."
Applications and guidelines for the Grants may be obtained by calling Jeffery Crockett, Pilgrim Center program director, at (816) 753-6719. This information is also available on-line at www.pilgrimcenterinc.org. The application deadline is November 30, 2005. Grants will be awarded in early 2006.
|
Volume 10, Issue 5
We are in this together
We hope you think of the Main Street Corridor as your business neighborhood and will accept the same responsibility as you do where you live.
We know safety is a major issue. That is why we feel it is important for you to have a relationship with the police department. MainCor gives you this opportunity at the monthly coffees and luncheons.
The issue of cleanliness is also important and there are things we can do on the Corridor to make it more inviting to guests, customers and ourselves.
- Keep the trash picked up in your parking lot and around your building. If there is a vacant building or lot next door, pick up that trash before it blows to your property
- Sweeping the sidewalk in front of your store or business makes the front door much more inviting.
- Interesting displays in the windows also draw customers, even in vacant space a display or art is welcoming.
It takes each of us doing our part to make Main Street a place where people will want to shop, work and live near!! Be proud.
- November 2, 8 a.m., Coffee Klatsch
- November 17, 11:30 a.m. "Holiday" Business Lunch ; Please RSVP by Nov. 15.
- December 7, 8 a.m., Coffee Klatsch
- December 15, 11:30 a.m. Business Lunch is CANCELLED
- January 4, 8 a.m. Coffee Klatsch
- January 19, 11:30 a.m., Business Lunch; Join us our guest will be the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Please RSVP by Jan. 17
- January 25, Tentative Date for Annual Membership Meeting.
|
Thanks to Our Members
We would like to thank the following for their support
by becoming members of MainCor:
- A to Z Services
- ABC Storage
- American Century
- Bank of America
- Buddies Lounge
- Buttonwood Financial
- CFH Properties
- Children's TLC
- Cal & Marilyn Cohen
- Community Blood Center
- Contract Furnishings*
- C.T. Services, LLC*
- Enterprise Rent-a-Car
- Fairfield Inn
- Frye & Co.
- Grand Emporium
- Green City Designs
- H&R Block
- Barbara & Frank Haar
- Hallmark Corporation
- HDR Engineering
- Heartland Health Services
- John Hueser
- Jackson Hewitt
- Kauffman Foundation
- Kemper Museum of Modern Art
- Kessinger Hunter
- Tom Kirkwood
- Laura McLane - Greater KC Chamber of Commerce*
- Lamar's*
- L&H Midtown Investments
- Levitt Enterprises
- Luyben Music
- Madrid Management
- Main Thriftway
- Steve Maturo
- McDonald's*
- Muddy's Coffeehouse
- Herb Palmer
- Prudential CRES - Comm Real Estate
- The Rehabilitation Institute
- S&G Realty Management
- Safeway Insurance
- SBC*
- Shafer Kline & Warren
- Sidekick's*
- Strategic Restaurant - Burger King
- Subway
- T-Asset USA
- Telephone Answerette
- Joyce Thompson
- Unicorn Theatre
- Urban Coeur Development
- Velvet Dog
- Westside Housing
- Zimmer Companies
- Zwillo Corporation
- *New Members
Thanks To All Of You!
Business Alarm Permit Renewal Fees
In recent years, area businesses have been the source of nearly 50% of all false alarm dispatches responded to by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department although these businesses account for only 20% of valid alarm permits. Effective January 1, 2006 in accordance with City of Kansas City, Missouri City Ordinance 971601, Section 50-333b, business alarm permit renewal invoices will reflect the actual number of false alarms resulting in a police response to the alarm site during the previous twelve months commencing with the first occurrence.
In order to minimize the number of false alarm dispatches, the Private Alarm Section of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department urges all alarm users to ensure the reliability of their system by properly training all system users and scheduling routine maintenance. A false alarm may be an indication that a trained technician may need to inspect or repair your alarm system.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your alarm permit, please feel free to contact the Private Alarm Section staff during routine business hours at 816-889-1493.
|
