Month: September 2014

Kansas City, Kan., police reports

Aug. 14
Attempted aggravated burglary, criminal damage, 3500 block of North 60th, window frame, window, blinds, $450 value.
Burglary, criminal damage, 3500 block of North 60th, car window damage, $250, pack of cigarettes, $6.
Theft, 4300 block of Mission Road, vehicle, $8,000 value.
Theft, 300 block of North 70th Terrace, vehicle, $1,000 value.

Aug. 13
Burglary, criminal damage, 700 block of County Line Road, two televisions, one monitor, $1,500 value.
Burglary, criminal damage, 2500 block of North 35th, iPad, doors, $600 value.

Aug. 11
Aggravated burglary, 500 block of Armstrong, $8.

Big band benefit to support KCKCC Jazz Band

by Kelly Rogge

Kansas City’s own Kicks Band will be headlining a big band benefit later this month to support the Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band.

The “Tea Dance” is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in the ballroom of the Historic Lake of the Forest Club House, 100 Lake Forest in Bonner Springs. The club house is off of Highway 32, east of Bonner Springs and west of Interstate 435. Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided, and set ups will be available for a minimal charge. Tickets are $15 per person; $25 per couple or $100 for a table of eight. Special pricing is available for groups of 16 or more. The event is sponsored by the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Department at KCKCC.

In addition to the refreshments, there will be a silent auction as well as drawings. The Kicks Band will provide big band-era music reminiscent of Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

Proceeds from the event will help with costs of the KCKCCC Jazz Band’s upcoming trip to the 30th-annual Havana Jazz Festival this December. The Havana International Jazz Festival started in 1978 when Bobby Carcasses and other Cuban jazz musicians had a concert at the Case de la Cultura de Plaza. The following year, Chucho Valdes, now president of the festival’s organizing committee, gave another concert. Those yearly concerts morphed into the festival as it is known today.

In addition to attending the festival, the jazz band will have the opportunity to explore Cuba’s many historical venues including taking a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Havana Historical Centre as well as exploring Finca Vigia, where Ernest Hemingway lived for more than 20 years.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact M.M. Hoffman at 913-288-7266 or by email at [email protected].

Leavenworth Road Association to discuss road improvement plans

Leavenworth Road update
by Lou Braswell
At the next Leavenworth Road Association meeting, County Engineer Bill Heatherman will be the guest speaker. He will talk about some of the improvement plans on Leavenworth Road in the future.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, lower level. It starts with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m., and the program follows at 7 p.m.

The LRA currently is working on the annual parade, scheduled Sept. 21 on Leavenworth Road.

Another LRA meeting, a special meeting, is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23. It will be a presentation with the city traffic engineer on the upcoming new construction on the intersections of 55th and Leavenworth Road, and 72nd and Leavenworth Road.

Some of the new or improved businesses in the Leavenworth Road area include:

– The Barber Shop at 55th and Leavenworth Road has new improvements on the outside and on the inside of the business.

– There are new owners and a new name for the thrift shop at 55th and Leavenworth Road. It is called the Rag Queens. The shop is open and plans a grand opening to coincide with the Leavenworth Road Parade on Sept. 21.

– New Beginnings Community Church plans a dedication ceremony on Sept. 6. The dedication is at 3 p.m. The church is at 3051 N. 51st.

– Transmission Solutions at 60th and Leavenworth Road is very busy as the bays are usually full.

For more information about the Leavenworth Road Association, call 913-788-3988.

Lou Braswell is the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.