Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to [email protected] and include your name and phone number.

Sign up for library’s reading program
The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library’s summer reading program has started signing up readers. The program runs from June 1 to July 31. Participate at any of the five library branches. After signing up, participants may start logging books on June 1. For more information, visit the website at www.kckpl.org.

Addictions support group to meet
“All Addictions Group,” a free support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register online at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

UG Commission to meet June 26
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. June 26 at City Hall, lobby level, 701 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kan. An agenda may be posted at www.wycokck.org. A special session of the UG Commission at 5 p.m. at City Hall will precede the regular meeting.

Bonner Springs to hold arts festival June 28
A Festival of the Arts will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28, in downtown Bonner Springs. Admission is free. After the event, fireworks will follow by Bonner Blast. There will be fine arts displays, performances, live music, custom crafts vendors, cultural cuisines, circus acts, a kids’ creative corner, magician, dancers, martial arts and food truck. In case of inclement weather, the alternate location is Bonner Springs High School. The event is presented by the Bonner Springs Arts Alliance. For more information, see www.bonnerspringsartsalliance.org/.

CHWC fundraiser planned June 28
CHWC will hold a fundraiser for community redevelopment at 5 p.m. June 28 at Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan. At the event, the “Continue the Legacy” award will be presented to Craig and Karen Gaffney in honor of their dedication to Community Housing of Wyandotte County, and the Gaffneys’ philanthropic work in the community. The fundraiser begins at 5 p.m. June 28 with cocktails. Dinner, dancing, an auction and field activities will follow. Last year, the event raised nearly $100,000 for the organization. Individual tickets are $75, and table sponsorships start at $1,000. To register for the event, visit www.chwckck.org and click on the event button.

Summer concert to be June 28 at Legends
Dave and Buster’s Summer Concert Series will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 218, on the rooftop patio at The Legends Outlets. Allied Saints will perform from 9 p.m. to close June 28. Different bands will play on Saturdays through September, excluding July 5.

Libertarian Party to meet June 29
The Libertarian Party will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 29, in City Park in the City Park North Shelter, 32nd and Park Drive, (north side), Kansas City, Kan.

Free summer movies offered
The Legends 14 Theatres will present “Rugrats in Paris,” rated G, and “Despicable Me2,” rated PG, at 10 a.m. July 1, 2 and 3. Admission is free. All ages and groups are welcome. Doors open at 9 a.m. Seating is limited to availability. The current feature films are not included in the free admission, and the schedule is subject to change.

Free fireworks display planned
A free community fireworks display is planned July 3, after dark, at Pierson Park, South 55th and Douglas, Kansas City, Kan. It is sponsored by the Turner Recreation Commission.

Blood drive scheduled
A Red Cross blood drive has been scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. July 8 at Curves, 1224 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kan. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go online to www.redcrossblood.org/.

Mental Health First Aid Day planned
Kansas City’s first Mental Health First Aid Day is planned for Thursday, July 10. Six sites throughout metropolitan Kansas City, including one in Kansas City, Kan., are participating in the event. It is sponsored by the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers. The goal of the event is to teach mental health first aid and youth mental health first aid courses at no cost to more than 250 people. It would be the largest number of people to train at one time in the metropolitan area. In Kansas City, Kan., a class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10 at the Kansas City, Kan., Public School Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. Participants will learn what to do if an adult or child is experiencing a mental health crisis. The course teaches about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, gives confidence to reach out to people in need, and skills to respond to a mental health crisis. Participants will receive a manual and certificate upon successful completion of the course, and information about accessing local services. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Those who are interested in attending the course may contact Beth Yoder Stein at [email protected] or Mark Wiebe at [email protected].

UG Ethics Commission to meet July 10
The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 10, on the second floor, Wyandotte County Courthouse, Division 18, old county commissioners’ chambers, 710 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kan.

Color Vibe 5K to raise funds for United Way
The Color Vibe 5K will raise funds July 12 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for the United Way of Wyandotte County. In the Color Vibe 5K, participants run through color stations and get covered in vibrant 100 percent safe colored cornstarch powder. Runners, young and old, beginner and advanced, are invited to walk, jog, skip, or even dance through the entire course. At the finish line Color Vibe throws a giant dance party complete with large color throws that douse participants in another layer of color. Registration fees cover the participant’s packet, which includes an official white Color Vibe T-shirt, racing bib, sunglasses, and a pack of color. More information and registration can be found at http://www.thecolorvibe.com/kansascity.php. CommunityAmerica Ballpark is at 1800 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. The event begins at 9 a.m. July 12.

Night Charity Golf Tournament planned
A Night Charity Golf Tournament is planned on Friday, July 18, at Painted Hills Golf Course, 7101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. The event is sponsored by Greater Kansas City Civitan International and Civitan Club Dotte. It will benefit local charities. The cost of the event is $125 per person, which includes supplies, green fees, cart, dinner, awards reception, trophies and prizes. After June 18, registration fee is $150. Sponsorships are available. It is a four-person singles paired or scramble. Registration is at 5 p.m., followed by a shotgun start at 6 p.m. The Night Golf has a shotgun start at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 913-208-3533 or email [email protected].

Museum plans lock-in
An all-night lock-in is planned from 7 p.m. July 18 to 8 a.m. July 19 at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 126th and State. The event on July 18 is for girls ages 8 to 12. A safe night at the museum, tour, hands-on projects, evening snacks and a movie are planned. Boys will have a similar event on July 25. The cost is $25 per child. One adult must attend. Reservations are required. For information, call 913-573-5002.

Program offered on cropping systems
K-State Research and Extension is offering a workshop on “Low-till/No-till Cropping Systems” on July 21 in Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit http://www.growinggrowers.org.

Concert scheduled July 31 at outdoor theater
As part of the Warped Tour, Of Mice and Men is comng to Bonner Springs, Kan., July 31 to play Cricket Wireless Amphitheater, 126th and State Avenue. Some of the albums of the heavy rocker group are “The Flood” and “Restoring Force.”

African-American Art Festival planned Aug. 9
The MoKan African-American Art Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Quindaro Park, 35th and Sewell, Kansas City, Kan. Those attending the free event may bring a blanket, enjoy artwork, stilt walkers Gullah basket weathers, African drummers and dancers, food and vendors. For more information about having an art exhibit there or being a vendor, contact 913-788-7330.

Little community garden a point of pride

A community garden at Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church produces lettuce that is often used for church dinners. (Submitted photo)

Window on the West
by Mary Rupert

Pat Spencer’s very proud of the little community garden she helped start three years ago at Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, 7819 Swartz Road.

The garden has six raised beds and raises produce such as tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, kale, and radishes.

She pointed out the garden’s purpose is just to help, to reach out to the community and provide an activity and resource for people.

There isn’t enough produce, she said, to give away large amounts at a food pantry, especially this early in the year, but occasionally there is enough to give a little to those attending church, and to donate to a church dinner. The upcoming spaghetti dinner and silent auction from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the church will include salad ingredients raised in the church’s community garden. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for kids under 10.

Spencer, 76, said she has help from a few 20-year-olds in the garden.

Always a gardener, Spencer has a home garden and flowers to take care of, too. She remembers growing up with a relative’s garden on 63rd Street. She moved a little further west about 45 years ago. It has been said that they received some tips from california listings lawn care companies to ensure that the garden thrives.

“We gardened when we were kids and had to,” she recalled. One relative had a garden about a block long. The youngsters were told to not eat all the strawberries in a family garden, she laughed.

Maybe several generations back, there might have been a family farm in Missouri, she said. Her dad was a mechanic who did not garden until he retired, then he had a backyard garden.

“I’ve always had a small garden,” Pat Spencer said. “I like to be outside working. I love the fresh produce.”

To reach Mary Rupert, editor, email [email protected].

T-Bones fans may watch home, away games on live stream

The American Association has announced a partnership with InnovaTV for the 2014 season, which will provide live streaming of every game across multiple platforms.

T-Bones fans can access the live stream — home and away — through www.tbonesbaseball.com. The live stream is compatible with desktop and laptop computers; a variety of Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; and Android mobile devices. InnovaTV is also available on ChromeCast, a Google product which allows direct streaming of a personal computer onto a television.

“We are proud to be the only league in all of professional baseball in which all games are televised live and free for fans,” American Association commissioner Miles Wolff said. “Over the last few months all 16 clubs have worked diligently to get the equipment ready and technical problems solved so that the games can be aired.”

Although Kansas City T-Bones home games have been available through the team’s website for several years, this is the first time that every game has been available.

“We’re very proud of the affordable, entertaining fan experience we’ve built through 12 great years at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, but this allows some of us diehards to more closely follow the action on the road,” said T-Bones president Adam Ehlert. “It’s an exciting move for independent professional baseball.”

– Story from T-Bones