Month: April 2014

Sporting KC signs midfielder Victor Munoz

Sporting Kansas City announced on Tuesday the signing of 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Victor Munoz.

He will be added to the team’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

“Victor is a player we saw in college and had train with us last year,” manager Peter Vermes said. “What we liked about him was that the style of play that he played over in Spain is something that definitely fits in with the way that we play. It’s a good addition to our team and a young kid who we hope can grow into our system.”

“I am very excited to join Sporting Kansas City,” Munoz said. “I trained here last summer and enjoyed everything about it, from the players to the environment. The team understands how to play the game the right way and I think this is the perfect place to continue my development.”

A native of Madrid, Munoz spent eight years in the Real Madrid academy system and was a member of Spain’s under-15, under-16 and under-17 youth national teams. After being recruited to Celta de Vigo’s academy, Munoz moved to the United States in 2010 to pursue a college education.

As a freshman at Iona College, Munoz was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year with five assists for the Gaels. Munoz then transferred to UCLA and helped the Bruins reach the NCAA College Cup with eight assists in his sophomore season en route to recording three goals and 26 assists during his collegiate career. His eight assists in 2013 led all UCLA players and he earned second team All-Pac 12 recognition as a senior.

Following his participation in the 2014 MLS Player Combine, D.C. United traded up to draft the left-footed Munoz in the second round (No. 29 overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He appeared in four games for D.C. United during the 2014 preseason but was released by the club last month.

Sporting Kansas City’s roster will feature 28 players under contract upon the addition of Munoz.

Preparations under way for Polski Day celebration

Betty Kolenda and Cathy Kolenda Smith are preparing for the 30th annual Polski Day celebration May 3 in Kansas City, Kan. (File photo from Kathy Hanis)

by Kathy Hanis

Residents were busy preparing food today for the annual Polski Day celebration.

The 30th Annual Polski Day celebration will be held Saturday, May 3,  at All Saints Parish, at 8th and Vermont, in Kansas City, Kan.

An estimated 2,400 cabbage rolls were being prepared today for the annual event. The ingredient list included 200 pounds of cabbage, 360 pounds of ground beef, and 350 pounds of Polish sausage. The list of foods for the festival also includes 150 loaves of powitica, and 129 dozen Polish cookies.

The traditional Polski Day Parade begins at 11 a.m., at 12th and Central, and heads east on Central Avenue to 8th Street going up the wrong way on a one way street to Vermont and ends at the church. Enjoy Polish food, music, and entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. A special Polka mass will be held at 4 p.m. at All Saints Parish.

“Polski Day festivities include activities for babies to seniors, and 100 percent of the funds raised benefit All Saint’s Parish, formerly known as St. Joseph-St. Benedict’s Church,” said Cathy Kolenda-Smith, Polski Day committee member. “Polski Day has always been a day to celebrate our Polish heritage and support the Church.”

Polski Day is held annually on the first week in May to commemorate the signing of the Polish Constitution of Freedom on May 3, 1791.  Polish-Americans settled on Polish Hill, located north of Interstate 70 and west of 7th Street Trafficway, in Kansas City, Kan., where generations have carried on the heritage of their forefathers’ homeland, in Wyandotte County.

Pope John Paul II, of Polish ancestry, considered by many world leaders as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th Century, will be canonized on April 27,  2014. He was beatified on May 1, 2011, and through his endeavors strengthened Christianity throughout the world. Other Polish leaders include Casimir the Great, Copernicus, Chopin, Kosciuzsko,  Madam Sklodowska-Curie,  Marshal Jozef Pilsudski and Lech Wales, and KCK baseball player, Ray Sadecki, who was inducted into the Polish-American Hall of Fame.

Polski Day Festivities – 2014

11 a.m. – Polski Day Parade – Begins at 12th and Central, east to Vermont and south to church.

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Family festivities begin at St. Joseph’s Church Hall

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – A Polish Dinner will be served in the Church Hall and will include: Golambki, (Cabbage Rolls), Pierogi, (Filled Dumplings), Kapusta, (Sauerkraut), Powitica, Kolacki, and everyone’s favorite, Kielbasa, (Polish Sausage and refreshments including Piwo). Polish artifacts will be on display in the Parish Hall and 30th Anniversary T-Shirts and Polish items for sale. Enjoy a strolling accordion serenade by Don Lipovac.

11 a.m. –7 p.m. – Entertainment

Children’s activities and food served on the Parish Grounds.

1 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Strolling with Don Lipovac in the Church Hall.

11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Ed Grisnik Polka Band (outside).

3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Sheelytown, from Omaha, Neb.

4 p.m. – Polka Mass – All Saints Parish, at 8th and Vermont, in Kansas City, Kan.

Kiwanis members plan to help Harvesters food bank

Kiwanis Club members from Kansas City, Kan., will join with other Kiwanis clubs to work together Saturday, April 5, at Harvesters Community Food Network, Kansas City, Mo.

In the annual One Day project, more than 40 Kiwanis volunteers will help sort and pack nonperishable food items to be provided to young people across the metropolitan area that are in need of food. Members also will bring food items to donate to Harvesters.

Besides the Kansas City, Kan., and the Kansas City West Kiwanis clubs, the clubs in Division 9 participating in this project include Gardner, Johnson County, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe Sunrise, Old Mission, Ottawa, Overland Park, Shawnee and Wellsville.

Kimberley Holm, member of the Kiwanis Club of Kansas City, Kan., West, is the project coordinator for One Day in Division 9.