Argentine tops list as ‘most generous’ neighborhood in KC metro area

Ann Murguia, executive director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, right, presented an ANDA check for $200 to a holiday food drive being sponsored at the Argentine Save-a-Lot grocery store. Representing the grocery were Jeff Turnbough, left, district manager, and Jessica Wilson, center, store manager. (Staff photo)
Ann Murguia, executive director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, right, presented an ANDA check for $200 to a holiday food drive being sponsored at the Argentine Save-a-Lot grocery store. Representing the grocery were Jeff Turnbough, left, district manager, and Jessica Wilson, center, store manager. (Staff photo)

by Mary Rupert

People in the Argentine community of Kansas City, Kan., are the most generous neighborhood in the metro area.

That’s the conclusion that can be drawn from the Save-a-Lot food donation drive going on at the Argentine store at 2100 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

Of all the Save-a-Lot stores in Greater Kansas City, the Argentine store’s customers have donated the most food to helping other people this holiday season.

Jeff Turnbough, Save-a-Lot district manager, said customers at the Argentine store already have donated more than 250 bags of groceries to the needy.

That was before today’s $200 donation from the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, which will bring the donation to more than 300 grocery bags. That represents from $4,000 to $5,000 in groceries to be donated to needy families in the Argentine area.

“The people in the Argentine area are very, very generous,” he said. He also said staff at the store asked customers for the $6.50 donations.

In the grocery bags are such items as potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans and corn – items that would help make a holiday meal.

The drive has already met its goal, and now the goal is being raised to 700 bags of groceries, Turnbough said. The drive lasts through Jan. 1.

He added the Argentine store also is the No. 1 Save-a-Lot store in the metro area for sales among the 12 stores.

Ann Murguia, executive director of ANDA, said this year ANDA is a partner with Save-a-Lot to distribute the food. She said ANDA staff will be asking the Argentine schools for help in getting the food to local families.

She said ANDA was contributing $200 to the effort because it wants to be a good partner with the program. She added she was especially pleased that all the donations at this store will go to persons in the Argentine area.

“I’m so proud of the response we’ve received,” said Jessica Wilson, store manager. “It amazes me. It’s been a hit.”

Candy Mills, an area resident, donated a bag of groceries today. She talked about the needs in the community for food and heat.

“It makes me feel good to help the people in this community,” she said.

Bruno’s passion for fundamentals has KCKCC in national volleyball tourney

KCKCC coach Mary Bruno, left, keeps a watchful eye on co-captain Blair Russell’s hitting form, one of several fundamentals the Lady Blue Devils undergo daily in preparation for the NJCAA National volleyball tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. Thursday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
KCKCC coach Mary Bruno, left, keeps a watchful eye on co-captain Blair Russell’s hitting form, one of several fundamentals the Lady Blue Devils undergo daily in preparation for the NJCAA National volleyball tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. Thursday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins
KCKCC sports information director

It is not by accident that Kansas City Kansas Community College is headed for the NJCAA National Division II volleyball tournament for the second time in three years.

It will be hard to find any of the other 15 teams in the national tourney better prepared than the way coach Mary Bruno gets the Lady Blue Devils ready for play, spending about 80 percent of their practice time on fundamentals and individual instruction – far more time than the average team.

“Not even close,” said sophomore Kailee Dudley, a July transfer from Butler County.

“Fundamentals every day and we watch film to make sure we’re prepared 100 percent every day,” added sophomore co-captain Blair Russell and the Jayhawk Conference’s Player of the Year.

“It’s reinforcing the correct form,” said Bruno, the architect of KCKCC’s Region N championship team and Jayhawk Co-Coach of the Year. “At the very beginning we train our players in our style of how we do things but at the end of a long season, there’s a tendency for some of the form to get lost so we need to have them revert back to what they did in the past.”

Players are assigned work stations by position.

“We have a box to stand on to work on form for hitting and an Accuspike where the ball is stationary and the focus is on the approach and arm swing,” Bruno said. “The setters work on consistency with a lot of repetitions. We also work on defense with a lot of reps and serving positions.”

The Blue Devils (29-9) also prepared by playing a demanding schedule, playing eight of the other 15 teams in the national tourney including No. 1 Parkland and No. 2 Central Nebraska along with five Division I powers, No. 1 Iowa Western, Missouri State, Indian Hills, Palm Beach State and College of Jacksonville.

“It definitely prepared us to be where we are at the end of the season,” Bruno said.

Seeded No. 7, KCKCC opens up national tourney play Thursday at 11 a.m. against No. 10 Glendale, Ariz., at Phoenix College. A win would most likely set up a third meeting with No. 2 Central Nebraska at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. All games will be streamed and can be seen by going to the NJCAA website and clicking on Division II national tournament.

At the ultimate foundation of the Blue Devil success, however, has been Bruno and her coaching staff of her mother, Dee Bruno, and Paloma Juarez, and managers Cory Roberts, Francelle Gonzalez and Catherine Bruno. Gonzalez, in fact, was instrumental in finding one of the Blue Devil freshmen, Kimberly Martinez.

At the backbone of the success is the fact that Bruno makes the game fun and that the mutual respect goes far beyond what happens on the court.

“I just love her,” said co-captain Lily Thornberg. “She has a real open door policy and we can come in and talk to her about anything and yet she still pushes on the court. She knows what we’re capable of and is not afraid to push us out of our comfort zone.”

One of Thornberg’s most effective moves is “dumping” the ball left-handed just over the net before blockers can react.

“I was doing it with my right hand and getting a lot of net violations so coach Dee (Bruno) spent last year working with me and teaching me when to do it,” Thornberg said.

“She’s a great coach,” echoed Russell. “When I came here I was just athletic. She took my athleticism and made me technically sound. After I tore up my shoulder I was not sure I wanted to play but I’m so glad I did.”

Andrea Aparicio, a native of Puerto Rico who was named Libero of the Year for her defensive play, credits Bruno for helping her make the transition to U.S. college volleyball.

“She takes time to explain what you’re doing and what you need to do in different parts of the game,” Aparicio said.

If there’s an Achilles heel for the Blue Devils is something that can’t be coached, a lack of size. No starter is over 5-foot-11 although 6-2 Saint Mary transfer Peyton Pender sees extended playing time.

Bruno, however, dismisses it as a concern.

“No,” she said. “Nothing we can do for it now and we’ve already played most of the teams.”

Bruno led KCKCC to a sixth place finish in the Blue Devils first ever appearance in the NJCAA national tourney in 2012, earning District N Coach of the Year honors while finishing runnerup for Jayhawk Coach of the Year.

KCKCC plans cross-country ski event

by Kelly Rogge

Kansas City Kansas Community College is planning Cross Country Ski events this winter. This will be the second consecutive year a ski event will be held on the college campus.

The following events are planned for this winter:

• A clinic. This will be held inside to talk about Cross Country Skiing including the equipment needed, waxing, clothes, boots, technique, where to ski, and other information
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• A lesson. This will be for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Everyone is welcomed, even if you do not own a pair of skis. If you do not have skis, a pair will be provided to use during the event.

• A tour. This tour event will be similar to what was held last winter. A track will be created on the east side of campus.

Anyone is welcome to participate in the Cross Country Ski events. Once it snows, a date will be set for the event. This could mean only 12 to 24-hour notice, so that there can be some skiing before the snow begins to melt.

Those who are interested can contact Ron Wollenhaupt, KCKCC Health and Wellness, at [email protected]. Information is also available by contacting Pam Hall at [email protected].
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.