Christian & Associates Forms Partnership
Christian & Associates, Inc., a Kansas City-based benefits and property/casualty brokerage and consulting firm, has entered into a strategic partnership with Accent Payroll Services, a local company providing services such as period specific payroll reports, checks and envelopes, direct deposits, tax filing, vacation and sick pay accruals, new hire reporting and electronic tax drafting. Christian & Associates provides insurance services to groups ranging from 10 to 17,000 employees. Call (816) 756-2822 for more information.

Joanne Mina Named to Honor Roll
Joanne Mina has been named to the 2003 Republican Chairman’s Honor Roll. Mina serves as co-chairman of the committee’s Business Advisory Council and was recognized for her service and support to the Republican Party. As a member of the Honor Roll, her name will be on display at the Republican Headquarters building in Washington D.C. and she qualifies to receive the committee’s highest honor, the Republican Gold Medal, which will be presented later this year.

SPIDERtel Awarded Contract
SPIDERtel Inc. has been awarded a contract to redesign the Leawood Chamber of Commerce Web site. SPIDERtel will work with the chamber to develop an Internet marketing approach for the site.

Founded in 1996 by Joe Lieberman, Overland Park-based SPIDERtel specializes in Web site related solutions. Call (913) 663-4666 for more information.

Dog Service Started in Raymore, Mo.
Keeping canine waste under control is the mission of Stinkies Pooper Scooping, a new Raymore, Mo.-based company serving the Kansas City area. Founded by Shon Hatfield, the company is a member of the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists. Company representatives visit clients’ homes to pick up canine waste, double-bag it and place it in the client’s trash container for disposal. Call (816) 322-2328 for more information.

Lawing Financial Wins National Award
Kerry L. Lawing has been named the winner of the 2003 National Management Award, which is presented annually by the general Agents and Managers Association to recognize general agents across the country who have maintained the highest standards of professionalism in the insurance industry. Lawing and his agency associates at Lawing Financial Group represent Ohio National Financial Services locally and in the Midwest. Call (913) 491-6226 for more information.

Espresso & Appetizer House Opens in Olathe
Espresso & Appetizer House has opened at 1729 S. Mur-Len in Olathe. Owned by Jason and Jeannette Yousif, the establishment serves a variety of Turkish coffee, espresso-based drinks and fruit smoothies, as well as Mediterranean appetizers. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Call (913) 390-9100 for more information.

WDS Marketing Receives Three Awards
WDS Marketing & Public Relations received three awards for public relations excellence from the Kansas City Business Marketing Association (BMA) at its Fountain Awards presentation. This is the second consecutive year WDS has received three awards from BMA. The company received the Fountain Award and two Awards of Merit for public relations campaigns. Becky Wilson owns the company. Call (913) 362-4541 for more information.

Financial Services Firm Opens
Horizon Financial Services, a company providing financial planning, credit restoration and loan brokering, has opened in Overland Park. Specialties include mortgage services, commercial services, life insurance, educational plans, legal plans, asset management, debt elimination and retirement plans. Call (913) 381-1499 or visit www.hfsplansmart.com for more information.

ADHD Academy Formed, Workshops Slated
Dr. Richard Benson, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in Kansas City, Mo., has opened an ADHD Academy as a resource center for parents and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is one of the most common behavior disorders in children and adolescents, affecting three to five percent of all children and two to four percent of adults. From Sept. 6 through Nov. 22 the academy will hold Saturday workshops at Avila College on topics ranging from parenting skills to homework. Visit www.adhdacademy.com for more information.

DreamScape Salon & Spa Opens in Raytown
Kathleen Wagner-Watson has opened DreamScape Salon & Spa at 8000 Woodson Road. Services include massage, body waxing, facials, facial waxing, professional make-up application, skin care services, hair care, tanning and nail services. The spa also offers a café featuring breakfast, lunch and gourmet drinks as well as wedding packages. Call (816) 313-7326 for more information.
    
Environmental Consulting Service Opens
African-American owned Mustardseed Cultural and Environmental Services LLC has opened in Kansas City, Mo. The company provides environmental consulting for companies of all sizes. President Tyberlyn Smith is a certified hazardous materials manager. Vice President Ike Francis is an archaeologist. The company may be reached at (816) 333-2480.

HHR Lands New Account
Kindred Hospital has selected Hamele Healthcare Resources as its marketing agency of record.
The Kansas City-based hospital is a long-term acute care hospital that specializes in treating “medically complex” patients.

Mortgage Company Modeled After a Classic
Building and Loan Mortgage Company opened for business in Olathe in February of this year and has grown steadily since. Named after Jimmy Stewart’s financial institution in the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the company has expanded from three employees to 30 and to a second office in Topeka.

Building and Loan offers home loans for all types of borrowers with varying credit histories. The company employs two bi-lingual loan offices who focus on Hispanic home buyers.

Ad Agency Wins Multiple Awards
Fasone Garrett Boehm Advertising/Marketing has been named 2002-2003 Advertising Agency of the Year by Media Mix, a special interest group of the Kansas City Ad Club. This year’s honor marks the fourth time FGB has won Agency of the Year.

The company also received four other awards at the ceremony: Media Director of the Year, The Diane Freels Award and two Media Pioneer awards.

FGB Advertising/Marketing is a full-service agency, has been in business for 28 years. For more information, contact (816) 753-7272.