Month: December 2014

Bishop Ward band performs Christmas music for school, community

The Bishop Ward High School Instrumental Band recently performed Christmas music at the school and in the community. (Photo from Bishop Ward High School)
The Bishop Ward High School Instrumental Band recently performed Christmas music at the school and in the community. (Photo from Bishop Ward High School)

by Josh Sukraw
Sounds of the Christmas season were heard throughout Bishop Ward High School recently.
The Bishop Ward Instrumental Band brought some holiday cheer to fellow students and throughout the Kansas City metro with a variety of performances in the month of December.

On Dec. 5, Cyclone musicians greeted incoming students before school with a host of Christmas melodies to the enjoyment of all who entered the school that morning.

Residents at the Don Bosco Senior Center were also serenaded by Bishop Ward musicians with a classic Christmas performance on Dec. 10. This annual tradition started five years ago at the invitation of mutual benefactors at Mark One Electric Co.

The final performance on Dec. 12 was for the entire student body during all lunch periods. This performance followed a celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Saint Peter. The students continued the celebration and joined in the caroling making for a festive atmosphere before final semester exams next week.

Cyclone band director and teacher, Adam Braunschweig, noted that “band members love to showcase their talent and enthusiasm for music. Music is a simple, yet beautiful gift that they enjoy sharing with others, especially during this time of the year.”

Bishop Ward High School is the only Catholic high school in Wyandotte County. For more information, visit wardhigh.org.

Josh Sukraw is marketing and alumni manager at Bishop Ward High School.

The Bishop Ward High School Instrumental Band recently performed Christmas music at the school and in the community. (Photo from Bishop Ward High School)
The Bishop Ward High School Instrumental Band recently performed Christmas music at the school and in the community. (Photo from Bishop Ward High School)

The Bishop Ward High School Instrumental Band recently performed Christmas music at the school and in the community. (Photo from Bishop Ward High School)
The Bishop Ward High School Instrumental Band recently performed Christmas music at the school and in the community. (Photo from Bishop Ward High School)

Saturday events

Grinter Place to hold Family Day Dec. 13
From 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13, Grinter Place has scheduled a Family Day. The event is for families and their children. Planned are a free picture with Santa Claus, face painting, listening to storytellers and doing a craft project. Admission for the Dec. 13 event is $3 per person or $15 for a family of six or more. Grinter Place, decorated for the holidays, is a state museum at 1420 S. 78th, Kansas City, Kan. For more information about Grinter Place, visit kshs.org/grinter_place or visit Grinter Place on Facebook.

Food giveaway planned Dec. 13 at 65th and State
Kansas City Kansas Community College is once again a partner with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Harvesters for two separate food giveaways this month. The first food giveaway will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at KCKCC-TEC, 6565 State Ave. The second is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, also at KCKCC-TEC. Food will be given to families on a first come, first serve basis. There are no income restrictions to the food giveaway. Food will be given to families based on the number of people in the family, and will be given out while supplies last. Cars can line up prior to 1 p.m. in the KCKCC-TEC parking lot. However, if participants arrive early, there is no restroom availability at the TEC during the event. In addition, those attending are asked to be prepared to wait in long lines. For more information or to register online, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e48a8a828aa8-volunteers. Information is also available by contacting Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas at 913-433-2080.

Free holiday movie today
A free holiday movie is offered today at the Legends 14 Theatre. The movie, “The Grinch,” will be shown at 10 a.m. Saturday at the theater at 1841 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. There is no admission charge. Seating is limited, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit http://www.phoenixtheatres.com.

Strawberry Hill Museum open for holidays
The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., has opened for the holidays and will remain open on weekends through Sunday, Jan. 26. The museum, decorated in Victorian style, is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with special tours available by appointment. The cost of a tour is $7 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Nighttime tours will be available at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and reservations are required. The cost is $15 for the nighttime tours, which includes refreshments and dessert. Call 913-371-3264 for more information or to make reservations. Holiday parties also may be booked.

KCK Library offers book sale today
The Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library will hold a book sale today in the auditorium at 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The sale is from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Children’s and adult materials will be included in the book sale. The items will be 50 cents each or $5 for a sack of materials. Only cash will be accepted.

Project Feederwatch continues; ‘Holiday Decorating for the Birds’ offered
Project Feederwatch continues at the Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road. The bird count is planned each Saturday when people sign up in advance. For more information, call 913-299-2384. Today, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Schlagle Library will hold a “Holiday Decorating for the Birds” workshop. Cookies will be decorated with seeds and garlands for the birds. There is a $2 class fee.

Enroll Wyandotte sessions offered
Enroll Wyandotte sessions are offered to help persons with open enrollment for health insurance, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the South Library, Study Room 2, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Staff from Community Health Council of Wyandotte County will help with the enrollment. Assistance in Spanish is available. Enroll Wyandotte also has an enrollment session from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1727 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan.

Mini book sale planned Dec. 13 at Bonner Springs Library
The Friends of the Bonner Springs Library are holding a mini book sale on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the basement tornado shelter room of the library, 201 N. Nettleton in Bonner Springs. The sale will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. The sale room can be accessed from the rear parking lot off Allcutt. Along with volumes from many favorite authors is a variety of nonfiction. There is an area for recent donations which has been restocked since the last book sale. Many selections of both fiction and nonfiction are in like-new condition and would make very affordable gifts since all hard back volumes are only $1. There is a wide selection of used paperbacks which are being offered at $1 to fill a plastic bag or $2 to fill a choice of tote bags as well as newer paperbacks that sell for only 50 cents. There is also an extensive offering of books for children and young people at affordable prices. The sale is being held in conjunction with an artist’s reception for Jason Romanishen, whose work is on display on the art gallery wall on the main floor of the library. Romanishen is a local artist and instructor at Bonner Springs High School. The reception, which will include punch and cookies, is being held from 2 to 3 p.m. and is open to the public.

Santa to visit Main Library today
Families with young children are invited to join the “Cocoa with Santa” program from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. There will be holiday stories, cookies and cocoa, and they will have the chance to have their picture taken with Santa Claus. The event is in the youth services storytime-craft room. There is no charge for the event. For more information, call the library at 913-279-2128.

Artist reception planned today
An artist reception for Missouri artist Deanna Trap and her new exhibit of watercolor landscapes, “The Views: Near and Far,” will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota. It will be in the library’s Café 625.

Double shooting reported

Several police officers were on the scene of a double shooting Friday night at townhomes that are south of State Avenue and west of the Turner Diagonal, near 71st and State Avenue.
Several police officers were on the scene of a double shooting Friday night at townhomes that are south of State Avenue and west of the Turner Diagonal, near 71st and State Avenue.

by Mary Rupert
Kansas City, Kan., police were on the scene of a double shooting that occurred around 8:53 p.m. Friday at the 800 block of North 70th Terrace.

One person was reported in critical condition and another person had a minor injury.

The location was south of State Avenue, near 71st.

Police spokeswoman Amber Thomas-Hickerson said that earlier in the evening there had been an altercation with a juvenile in front of one of the townhomes.

She said police were not sure if this altercation was related to the double shooting.

The shots came from the back of the townhomes, entered the building, and hit a female in her 20s who suffered minor injuries, and a teenage male who was struck in the head and is in critical condition, she said.

“We don’t know yet if it is random or not,” she said in response to a question if the shooter knew the victims. “We’re not sure if it’s directly related or not.”

No one was in custody as of about 10:30 p.m. Friday.

The case is under investigation by the Police Department’s Major Case Unit. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.