Month: May 2014

House honors Rep. Peterson

The Peterson family in the Kansas House Chambers visited with Rep Louis Ruiz. In the photo were Robin Peterson, seated with daughter, Anita, son, Joe, daughters, Ann and Molly, granddaughter, Marlo (standing along wall). (Photo by Pam Parker, assistant to Rep. Pam Curtis)

The Kansas House of Representatives honored the late Rep. Michael J. Peterson May 2 with a resolution memorializing his life.

His family was present as a resolution was read and approved by the Kansas House and several members of the delegation spoke about Rep. Peterson’s many years of public service and contributions to the community.  Many thanks were also expressed to the Peterson family for their support and sacrifice for him to serve the public and his community for so many years.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Stan Frownfelter, D-37th Dist., the Wyandotte County legislative delegation chair. Remarks were given by Rep. Frownfelter, Rep. Pam Curtis, and Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore.

Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-31st Dist., said in remarks in the House Journal, “I want to thank you all for joining us this morning to honor Mike Peterson – legislator, colleague, mentor, friend and most importantly, my pal. When I first filed for office, seeing Mike was like going to a job interview. Mike was respected, revered and mostly after you got to know him, a good friend. With us today are Mike’s wife, Robin; son, Joe; daughters, Anita, Anne and Molly and his grandchildren.”

–    Information from Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist.

Rep. Stan Frownfelter presented a resolution honoring Rep. Michael J. Peterson with the Peterson family and members of the Wyandotte County legislative delegation standing with him. In the photo were Anita Peterson Cash, Joe Peterson, Robin Peterson, (seated), Ann Peterson Golubski, Molly Peterson Watskey, Marlo Schwab, Rep. Pam Curtis, Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore, Rep. Val Winn, Rep. Louis Ruiz, Rep. Broderick Henderson. Rep. Tom Burroughs was to the left of this photo. (Photo by Pam Parker, assistant to Rep. Pam Curtis)
Robin Peterson and son Joe Peterson in the Kansas House Chambers on May 2, when Rep. Mike Peterson was honored. (Photo by Pam Parker, assistant to Rep. Pam Curtis)

 

Cobb returns home to Kansas Speedway

Jennifer Jo Cobb (File photo)

Kansas City, Kan., native Jennifer Jo Cobb, returns home for the first-ever night race for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Friday, May 16.

Cobb will be driving the No.10 Mark One Electric Chevrolet Silverado, a model that has a new body style, for the 1.5 mile tracks.

Cobb starts the race on Friday currently 15th in points with primary and returning sponsor Mark One Electric on the hood. This race marks the ninth time Mark One Electric has sponsored her at the Kansas Speedway. She was recently in town to help Mark One celebrate its 40th anniversary by making an appearance at a private event held at its Kansas City, Mo., facility.

“What an honor to receive the support of a local, family owned business in Mark One Electric. We have the pleasure of hosting many of their employees and clients during the pre-race and race day activities,” Cobb said. “I’m looking forward to watching the first Sprint Cup Series night race in the Mark One suite Saturday night as well.”

And the hometown love doesn’t stop there. Other local Kansas City businesses supporting Cobb are Arrow Truck sales which sells pre-owned medium and heavy-duty trucks throughout North America, and Pizza Shoppe, Kansas City’s original neighborhood pizza place. Additional sponsors include Referral Leaders International, Candlewood Suites and Race4Girls.com, a Kansas City-based women-owned organization dedicated to helping female racers.

Cobb is a fixture in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. She has broken records for females in the series including the highest points finisher in 2010, the highest race finisher (6th at Daytona) in 2011 and in 2012 she finished the season as the female with the most series starts.

Cobb will be making several appearances this week and fans can meet her and obtain a free autographed picture both at the Sunfresh Legends of Speed presented by the U.S. Army, where numerous drivers will be signing autographs at the Legends Outlets near the Kansas Speedway on Thursday, May 8. Drivers will be signing in staggered time slots from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

–    Information from Tracey Passantino

KCKCC students collect more than 4,000 items and cash for student food pantry

by Kelly Rogge

The Kansas City Kansas Community College Student Food Pantry is now well stocked with non-perishable food items, as well as personal care items thanks to a recent collection drive.

KCKCC students from two Human Relations in Business classes used their energy, creativity and dedication for this community service project.

“Our students are so amazing,” said Karen Gaines, business instructor at KCKCC. “This semester, the classes formed teams, and over a four-week period, the teams gathered 4,015 food and personal care items and $135 (most of which was then turned into food and personal care purchases).”

Andrea Chastain, director of the Student and Community Resource Center (formerly the Community Outreach Counseling Program) at KCKCC, said the food pantry was not large enough to accommodate all the items collected by the students.

“That is a good problem as we now have items in reserve to replenish the shelves,” she said. “I know that our student population appreciates the generosity of all who contributed to the food pantry and those students who participated in the community service projects.”

The KCKCC Student Food Pantry is located in the Student and Community Resource Center and offers non-perishable food and personal-use items to students who need assistance. For further information about these services, contact Andrea Chastain, director of the Student and Community Resource Center, 913-288-7270 or by email, [email protected].