KCKCC track reopens to public, new access procedures established

KCKCC President Doris Givens demonstrated how to use the new access system to the KCKCC track. (KCKCC photo)
KCKCC President Doris Givens demonstrated how to use the new access system to the KCKCC track. (KCKCC photo)

by Kelly Rogge

Kansas City Kansas Community College is back on track, the running track that is.

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, the track will reopen to the community.

The turnstile used by community walkers to access the track has been equipped with a lock that opens with a card issued by KCKCC. The system will allow the college to track the usage of the track and identify the frequency that walkers are using the athletic facility.

Michael Vitale, vice president of academic and student services at KCKCC, said the change is necessary due to some “misuse” of the facility. This includes multiple incidents of dogs, strollers and bikes on the track surface as well as unsupervised children climbing on the soccer goals and nets.

Both of KCKCC’s soccer teams practice on the soccer field, which the track surrounds. In addition, the track is used by the KCKCC track and field team.

“We made the change in access so community members could continue using the facility,” he said. “Allowing the community to continue using the facility helps promote good will between the community and the college. For several, this is the only location where they felt comfortable walking to help maintain their health.”

To use the track, patrons will need to obtain a Swipe-ID card, which will give them access to the track during the hours it is open to the public. To obtain a Swipe-ID card, walkers will need to bring a government-issued ID to the Campus Police, submit a completed application, pick up a copy of the track rules and have their picture taken for the identification card. The college is providing the first card for free. However, if it is lost or stolen, it will cost $25 to replace. All walkers will need their own identification card. Minors must have a parent or guardian’s signature. If they are 16 years or older, they must also have a government issued ID.

To accommodate those walking in the early mornings, the Campus Police department will be open at 5 a.m. Sept. 2 to issue Swipe-ID cards. Campus Police will have the following schedule for the remainder of September:
• 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
• 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday

Community members can go by Campus Police during these hours to obtain an identification card. College employees who want to walk on the track will also need to obtain a card from Campus Police.

For more information about the new track usage system, contact Mike Vitale, vice president for academic and student services at 913-288-7100.

Kelly Rogge is the supervisor of public information at KCKCC.

KCKCC photo
KCKCC photo

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.

Summer concert to be Aug. 30 at Legends
Dave and Buster’s Summer Concert Series will continue at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, on the rooftop patio at The Legends Outlets. The MGD’s will perform from 9 p.m. to close Aug. 30. Different bands will play on Saturdays through September.

NAACP to meet Sept. 2
The Kansas City, Kan., Branch NAACP will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Bethany Medical Office Building, 21 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kan., in the second floor meeting room. The executive committee will meet at 6 p.m., followed by the general membership meeting at 7 p.m. At 7 p.m. there will be an election of the nominating committee, for the purpose of election of officers and at-large members of the executive committee. All members whose memberships are current as of 30 days prior to the meeting date may be elected to the nominating committee. All committee chairs are asked to bring committee report of activities for the month of August 2014. For further information, call 913-281-7900.

Workshop offered to optimize health
A free workshop, Kansans Optimizing Health Program, will be held Sept. 3 and continue on Wednesdays for a total of six meetings. The workshop is for adults with an ongoing health condition, and will provide practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, and will provide information on nutrition and exercise, understand new treatment choices, find better ways to talk with the doctor and family about health. Those with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, and anxiety may be interested in this workshop. It meets one-and-a-half hours each week for six weeks. The workshop is held in connection with the Wyandotte County Extension office, 1216 N. 79th St., telephone 913-299-9300.

Blood drive planned Sept. 3-4
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 3 and Sept. 4 at the University of Kansas Medical Center Francisco Lounge, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

BPU to meet Sept. 3
The Board of Public Utilities will meet for a work session at 5 p.m. Sept. 3 at the board offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. On the work agenda are a general manager update and board updates, and an AQC update. The regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at 540 Minnesota Ave. On the agenda are a visitors time, staffing approval for 2015, July financial report, board comments, general manager comments and a closed executive session.

Benefit fine art and furniture sale planned
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is collaborating with Brown Button Estate Sales to hold a Fine Art, Antique and Furniture Sale in the Crossroads Art District after recently receiving an extremely generous donation from an anonymous donor. There are more than 500 high quality items in stock and all purchase proceeds will go towards Catholic Charities programming. The location is 117 W. 20th St., Piper Loft Building, Kansas City, Mo. Dates and times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 4; noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 5; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6; and noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 7. For more information and a gallery list of items visit Brown Button http://www.brownbutton.com/.

First Friday meeting to be Sept. 5
The Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Frist Friday Focus on Sept. 5 at the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, near I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, Kan. Networking starts at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon. The guest speaker will be Pat Warren, president of Kansas Speedway. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. For preregistration information, see http://member.kckchamber.com/Events/details/first-friday-focus-september-2014-126.

Ume to perform with Arctic Monkeys Sept. 5
Austin rock trio Ume will open for Arctic Monkeys Sept. 5 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. Ume’s new album, “Monuments,” was released March 4.

Dream Run planned Sept. 6
A benefit Dream Run for the Delaware Ridge Elementary School PTO is planned from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, at Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State. The 5K and 1 Mile Run-Walk are open to the community. Registration fees are $30 and $15. The run raises funds for school activities and items. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Garage sale to benefit food pantry
A garage sale Sept. 6 at CrossRoads Family Church, 8822 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., will be a benefit for a food pantry located there. The event is sponsored by the Civitan Sochi Club. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6. Those attending will be able to pay $10 for a 13-gallon bag of garage sale items. So far, clothing and books have been donated to the garage sale, with other items expected.

Heroes for Healing event to benefit kids’ emergency shelter
Frontier Steakhouse, 94th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., will serve as host for the fifth episode of Heroes for Healing on Sunday, Sept. 7, to benefit the new PACES children’s emergency shelter. Bikers can enjoy a scenic motorcycle ride from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., preceded by registration and breakfast starting at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 per rider; $15 per passenger; includes breakfast at Frontier Steakhouse. The main event will feature live music by four bands, an auction and food from 2 to 8:30 p.m. at the steakhouse. Children’s activities are scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m.; the live auction begins at 4:30 p.m. Bands performing will include Dennis Laffoon’s All Star Band; Big Time; State Line Drive; and Issues. Food and prize tickets will be available for purchase at the event. PACES is conducting a capital campaign to build a new emergency shelter for kids removed from their homes because of suspected abuse. The new shelter will increase PACES capacity to help care for 10 children every day and reduce the number of kids being turned away or sent outside the county for temporary foster care. The shelter is planned for mid-Wyandotte County. For more information, visit heroesforhealing.org or paceskidsshelter.org; or contact [email protected] or 913-328-4667.

Golf tournament planned
The annual Tom Burroughs-Stan Frownfelter Golf Tournament is at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at Dub’s Dread.

KCK school board to meet
The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education will meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the board room of the Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan.

Program offered on grieving
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer a “Living with Grief and Loss,” a six-week series for men and women, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 10 and 17, and Oct. 1 and 22. The group will help men and women address recent losses or those in the past. The group will be facilitated by Sister Loretta McGuire, LMSW, certified grief counselor. To register, call 913-906-8990.

United Way campaign opening luncheon to be Sept. 11
United Way of Wyandotte County will kick off its Live Heroic annual campaign with its annual kick-off luncheon set for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the KCKCC Technology Center. United Way encourages the community to support the Wyandotte community by attending this luncheon or by donating to the Live Heroic campaign. Further information can be found at the United Way of Wyandotte County website, www.unitedway-wyco.org or by calling 913-371-3674.

UG Commission to meet Sept. 11
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. An agenda may be posted online at www.wycokck.org.

Smithsonian traveling exhibit planned at museum
A Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, “Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program 1942-1964,” is scheduled to be on display at the Wyandotte County Museum starting Sunday, Sept. 14. The exhibit will be on display until November. A free community program is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 at the museum, 631 N. 126th, Bonner Springs, near 126th and State.

Problem gambling to be topic of workshop
The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., will present a workshop, “Recognizing a Gambling Problem,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. The program is presented by Chiquita Miller of K-State Extension. To register, call 913-906-8990.

Business West plans annual dinner meeting
Business West plans its 29th annual dinner meeting from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the DeWitt’s residence, 4200 N. 123rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kan. A highlight of the dinner meeting will be the presentation of awards. There is no charge for the dinner, but reservations are strongly encouraged to 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266.

Business Expo planned Sept. 19
The Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Business Expo Sept. 19 at Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan. The event is open to the public. Those attending may explore the business world, with more than 75 exhibitors expected to showcase products or services. For more information, visit www.kckchamber.com.

Workshop to address issue of mentally ill in jail
A workshop, “Revolving Door for Mentally Ill in Jail: Addressing Complex Issues,” will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan. The workshop is sponsored by the Mental Health America of the Heartland. The workshop fee is $40 and continuing education units are available. For more information, contact Stacy Davis at [email protected] or 913-281-2221, Ext. 112. Registration deadline is Sept. 15.

Dotte Trot to benefit SAFE fund
The Dotte Trot, a 5K and 10K run, will be run at 8 a.m. Sept. 27 at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 9100 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. All proceeds from the run benefit the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund. SAFE supports the families of law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency service personnel in the Kansas City metropolitan area who have died while protecting the community and citizens. The event is limited to 500 participants. For early registration, visit www.enter2run.com.

Fundraiser set Sept. 27
A Texas Hold-‘Em and Taco Dinner to raise funds for Missy Kline is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

‘Master of Memory’ class scheduled Oct. 2
A memory retention class, “Master of Memory,” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kan. The class may be suitable for people who have difficulty remembering names, or forgetting items at the store. The series of classes was designed to help people develop strategies to improve their memories. The class is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension of Wyandotte County and the West Wyandotte Library. For more information and to register for the class, call 913-299-9300.

Walk to Cure Lupus scheduled Oct. 11
The Kansas City Metro Walk to Cure Lupus is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 11, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at The Legends area in Kansas City, Kan. Former Kansas City Chiefs player Eddie Kennison, honorary co-chair, will lead the walk. For more information, see www.lupuswalkkc.org.

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers individual and couples counseling to women and men who might otherwise not be able to afford counseling. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.

Four students in KCK to receive scholarships

Four students who attend schools in Kansas City, Kan., have been named scholarship recipients by the Guadalupe Centers Inc.

The award winners will be recognized at the Blanco y Negro Awards Gala. The four from Kansas City, Kan., schools are among nine students in the Kansas City area receiving awards.

Receiving the Tony Aguirre Scholarship Award, which assists local Latino youth in their pursuit of private secondary education or post-secondary education, are these recipients attending schools in Kansas City, Kan.:

• Alexis Dominguez – Sophomore at Bishop Ward High School
• Regina del Carmen Teresa Sanchez – Freshman at Bishop Ward High School
• Gabriela Tinoco – Sophomore at Bishop Ward High School
• Laura Dominguez – Sophomore at Donnelly College.

This awards event raises funds annually to benefit all GCI programming. It will take place Sept. 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails followed by dinner, an awards presentation, and ending with entertainment and dancing.
Entertainment will include local bands such as Making Movies, Aztlan, Mariachi Mexico, and DJ Fernando. The venue is the Century Ballroom at the Westin Crown Center located in Kansas City, Mo.

Tickets for this black tie event are $75 per person, and are available by contacting Pat Muñoz at 816-421-1015, Ext. 116 or online at http://bit.ly/Vk4tPR.

Sponsorships are available by contacting Tania Casas at 816-421-1015, Ext. 109.