September 2014 – Page 59 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Alcott Arts Center to hold play, art exhibit today

Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th, Kansas City, Kan., will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of its Shakespeare in the Parking Lot series Sept. 13-14.
Admission is $5 plus one nonperishable food item per person. Those attending may bring a lawn chair and blanket.

The art galleries at Alcott Arts Center will open Saturday evening, with an artist reception starting at 6:30 p.m. with mixed media by Matt Diamond and Epic Art, and toons by Johanna Gentry.

Drop in and chat with the artists, enjoy the reception and see the artworks available for purchase.

Saturday events

‘Shakespeare in Parking Lot’ returns to Alcott Center Saturday; art reception opens
Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th, Kansas City, Kan., will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of its Shakespeare in the Parking Lot series Sept. 13-14.The play will begin at 3 p.m. at the Alcott parking lot. Admission is $5 plus one nonperishable food item per person. Those attending may bring a lawn chair and blanket.
The art galleries at Alcott Arts Center will open Saturday evening, with an artist reception starting at 6:30 p.m. with mixed media by Matt Diamond and Epic Art, and toons by Johanna Gentry. Drop in and chat with the artists, enjoy the reception and see the artworks available for purchase.

Renaissance Festival continues on weekends
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival continues on Saturday and Sunday at the festival grounds at 628 N. 126th St. (126th and State), Bonner Springs. The festival is the re-creation of a 16th century English village. Music, food, crafts, shows and other entertainment are featured at the festival, which runs on weekends through Oct. 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the website at www.kcrenfest.com.

Summer concert to be Sept. 13 at Legends
Dave and Buster’s Summer Concert Series will continue at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, on the rooftop patio at The Legends Outlets. The Kaopectones Band will perform from 9 p.m. to close Sept. 6. Different bands will play on Saturdays through September.

Shepherd’s Center plans breakfast Sept. 13
The Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., is planning a breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Welborn Community United Church of Christ, 5217 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. The donation will be $8 for pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. There also will be an additional fundraiser with a handmade quilt, art works and other items at the breakfast. For more information, call 913-281-8908.

Central Avenue Parade to be Sept. 13
The Central Avenue Parade and Band Fiesta will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Bethany Park, 1120 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The event will include vendors, music, and family activities. The event is sponsored by the Central Avenue Betterment Association and Latino Health for All Coalition.

Citizens academy learns about police tactical unit

by William Crum

Recently, the Police Department of Kansas City, Kan., citizens academy held its second class. This class was about the tactical side of the Police Department, called SCORE, otherwise known as a SWAT team.

Within the team there is more than meets the eye.

To be a part of this team is definitely a high honor. An officer has to bid on the position and meet certain mental and physical criteria. If several officers pass their tests, the ones with the most seniority will most likely get the positions, said Sgt. Brandon Holloway of the team.

Sgt. Holloway spoke about the training the officer has to go through, but also about the equipment they use.

He mentioned that they not only go in and arrest someone who is barricaded in a home or building because of the danger which they pose to the community, they also provide protection for dignitaries who come into the community, a lot like the Secret Service, but only on a local level.

Regarding the equipment, they use extensive methods of testing the new equipment well before they take it out in the field.

“Our main job is to protect the citizens, their life comes first ahead of our life. We know this when we set up to be a part of the team,” Sgt. Holloway said.

During this class participants were exposed to the various types of equipment which they use. They even got a chance to ride in a SWAT vehicle to see exactly how it feels, giving them a better understanding of what an officer this team has to go through.

They also talked about the canine division of the team, how many dogs they have, what types of dogs they use and the training the dogs go through. The participants in the class were amazed not only about the equipment they use, but how much training it takes to be a part of this team.