Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to news@wyandottepublishing.com and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events by about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call the sponsoring organization to see if the event will be held.

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. 25. 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. Call 913-371-3264 for more information or to make reservations. Holiday parties also may be booked. For more information, see http://www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Wyandotte County Museum features World War I exhibit
The Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum, 635 N. 126th, Bonner Springs, Kan., will feature a historical exhibit about the local effect of World War I, “Local Poppies: Centennial of World War I.” The exhibit will include information Wyandotte County service members, war memorabilia, propaganda posters and local memorials from Wyandotte County. This exhibit will be on display through March 20. For more information about the days and hours it is open, call 913-721-1078 or visit www.wycomuseum.org.

Project Feederwatch continues
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.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers these programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: les invitamos a disfrutar, compartir, recibe apoyo, con lideres Mary Ellen Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, 6, 13, 20 y 27 de enero, 10-11 a.m. Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, los martes, 1-2:30 p.m. Para registrarse contacte a Marie Alcocer, Llame 816-285-1357.

Support group for caregivers offered
A support group for caregivers is offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kan. The facilitator is Jackie Tigges, MSW, LSCSW. Caring for a loved one who is ill or dying may be difficult and it helps to be supported by others. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Support group for those with addictions offered
All Addictions Group, a support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register on-line at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

Providence to offer free smoking cessation classes

Providence Medical Center, 8929 Parallel Parkway, offers the community free smoking cessation classes that focus on why individuals smoke, methods to quit smoking and how to successfully stop. The series of four classes is available on the hospital campus in the Cardiac Rehabilitation department. The next session will be held Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 20, 22, 27 and 29. To register for this free class, call 913-596-4950.

Snow Ball to be Jan. 24
A benefit is planned Saturday, Jan. 24, for Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas. The 41st annual Snow Ball will take place at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel, Kansas City, Mo. Proceeds will go toward providing for the basic needs of children and families in the region. The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a social time, dinner and dance. Tickets are $250 per person. For more information, visit www.catholiccharitiessnowball.org or call 913-433-2046.

Raptor Days scheduled Jan. 24 and 25
The Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library and the James P. Davis Hall at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road, will be hosts for Raptor Days Jan. 24 and 25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Schlagle Library and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Davis Hall. Outdoor eagle and water fowl viewing, crafts, and a presentation about hawks, owls and falcons by Operation Wildlife are included. Presentation times will be at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Sponsors include the library, Operation Wildlife and the Board of Public Utilities. For a schedule, see https://wyandotteonline.com/raptor-days-planned-jan-24-25-at-wyandotte-county-lake-2/.

5K run scheduled Jan. 25
The Psychodelic 5K Trail Run, Ice Edition, is planned at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kan. For more information about registration and cost to enter the race, visit http://www.psychowyco.com/id95.html.

ServSafe class scheduled Jan. 27
A ServSafe Course is scheduled Jan. 27. This course is for anyone who is interested in food service employment, handles any type of food service or group meals. To register or for more information, contact K-State Research and Extension, Wyandotte County, at 913-299-9300 or email lwuellne@ksu.edu.

BPU Ethics Commission to meet Jan. 27
The Board of Public Utilities Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Conference Room B of the West Wyandotte Public Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kan. The Ethics Commission’s purpose is to ensure proper implementation of the BPU code of ethics and to review and report on all violations of the ethics policy, a spokesman said. The BPU Ethics Commission hotline is 913-271-6337 and the email is bpuethics@gmail.com.

KCK school board plans meeting Jan. 27
The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education plans to meet at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. Meetings are open to the public. An agenda may be posted at www.kckps.org a few days before the meeting.

Blood drives scheduled Jan. 28-29
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 28 and and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at the University of Kansas Francisco Lounge, 3901 Rainbow Blv., Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

UG Commission to meet Jan. 29
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., lobby level, Kansas City, Kan. Planning and zoning items are expected to be on this agenda. An agenda for the meeting may be posted a few days in advance of the meeting at www.wycokck.org.

Eagle Days planned at Kaw Point
Eagle Days, an opportunity to watch bald eagles, will be Jan. 30 to Jan. 31 at the Lewis and Clark Historic Park at Kaw Point, 1 River City Drive. The location is accessible from I-70 in the Fairfax area of Kansas City, Kan. For more information go to the website www.lewisandclarkwyco.org or call 913-677-7752.

Wyandotte County Conservation District to hold annual meeting Feb. 5
The Wyandotte County Conservation District will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at Edwardsville Community Center, 696 S. 3rd St., Edwardsville, Kan. On the meeting’s agenda are a full report of the district supervisors of their activities and financial affairs since the last meeting, and an election of two supervisors. An election by secret ballot of qualified electors is planned at the meeting to serve for a three-year term. The terms of Kris Blevins and David Hackathorn are expiring. For more information about the meeting, contact the conservation district office at 913-334-6329.

UG Commission to meet Feb. 5
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at City Hall 701 N. 7th St., lobby level, Kansas City, Kan. An agenda for the meeting may be posted a few days in advance of the meeting at www.wycokck.org.

Red Cross blood drive scheduled Feb. 9
An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 9 at Curves, 1224 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information, to find other blood drives in the area, or to sign up for a blood drive, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

‘Saturdays by the Grinter Stove’ scheduled to continue Feb. 14
“Saturdays by the Grinter Stove,” a history program at Grinter Place Museum, is scheduled to continue at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the museum at 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan. There will be a program on history with lunch prepared on the Grinter wood stove. There is a charge for the program. For more information, see http://kshs.org/p/grinter-place-programs/18581#ongoing.

School plans chili supper, silent auction Feb. 20

Open Door Christian School, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, plans a chili supper and silent auction on Feb. 20. The event will raise funds that will be used for the computer technology and training program, and for a shade structure for the playground.
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.

Your ‘game plan’ for healthy snacking

by Lori Wuellner
On Feb. 1 thousands of people will gather in homes to watch the Super Bowl showdown. And of course the snacks, chili, wings, and other foods served will almost be as important as the teams who will take “center stage.”

But how do you “tackle” the hunger of the crowds and yet provide a few healthier options? Check out the following ideas.

Chili – Try making “white chili” with low-fat ground turkey breast or choose lean or extra lean ground beef.

Pizza – Load up pizza with fresh vegetables, use low-fat cheese and try a whole-grain thin crust. Use turkey pepperoni instead of regular, and add an extra kick with some crushed red pepper.

 Meatballs – Choose leaner cuts of meat, such as extra lean ground beef. Serve with fat-free barbecue sauce or a marinara sauce.

 Salsa and guacamole – Try using baked tortilla chips for dipping instead of regular chips. Compare sodium levels of your favorite brands. Avocados are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. They also contain vitamin E, a disease-fighting antioxidant.

 Spinach and artichoke dip
– Use light or fat-free sour cream or mayonnaise when preparing these dips. Try using whole-grain bread for dipping.

 Wings or chicken nuggets – Try using a slow cooker or the oven in place of deep-fat frying to prepare wings. Make homemade baked chicken nuggets instead of wings.

Quesadillas – Try using low-fat cheese or less regular cheese. Use grilled chicken breasts and load the quesadillas with veggies. Serve them with chunky salsa.

The following recipes are healthy snack options that any sports fan would enjoy…give them a try.

Lori Wuellner is a Wyandotte County Extension agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, K-State Research and Extension, 1216 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kan. Telephone 913-299-9300, email lwuellne@ksu.edu.

Super Bean Dip
1 (15.5 oz.) can fat-free refried beans
1 (8- or 9-oz) container bean dip
1 (8-oz.) container low-fat sour cream
1 c. chopped tomatoes
½ c. chopped ripe olives
½ c. chopped green onion
2 c. grated low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
Salsa (optional)
Pita bread, raw vegetables or baked tortilla chips
Spread refried beans on a large plate. Combine dip and sour cream in a small bowl and spread over beans. Layer tomatoes, ripe olives, green onion and cheese over dip. Serve with wedges of pita bread, raw vegetables, tortilla chips and salsa.
Serves 20. Per Serving: 70 calories, 3 g fat, 5 g protein, 7 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber and 300 mg sodium. (Source: Northarvest Bean Growers)
(Source: North Dakota State University Extension Service, Publication #FN1406)

Fruit Dip
2 c. low-fat sour cream
1-oz., package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
¼ c. fat-free milk
4 tsp. lemon juice
Whisk together all ingredients until well-blended. Serve with assorted fruit.
Serves eight. Per ¼ cup serving: 90 calories, 5 g fat, 7 g carbohydrate, 4 g protein, 0 g fiber and 190 mg sodium. (Source: Penn State Cooperative Extension)

T-Bones acquire infielder from Wichita

The Kansas City T-Bones announced they have acquired infielder Ryan Cavan from Wichita in exchange for utility player T.J. Mittelstaedt.

Cavan, 27, is a 5-foot-11 and 180-pound switch-hitting infielder from Belmont, Calif. He played in 92 games last season for Southern Illinois of the Frontier League, and batted .309 with 103 hits, 16 doubles, 44 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. The San Francisco Giants selected Cavan in the 16th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft out of UC-Santa Barbara. He played five seasons in the Giants system, reaching double-A in 2012.

That season, while at double-A Richmond, Cavan was the 2012 Minor League Baseball Gold Glove Award recipient at second base. Cavan was selected as the best defensive second baseman among all affiliated minor-league teams that year after posting a .994 fielding percentage with only four errors in 684 chances. Although most of his time defensively has been at second, Cavan has played shortstop and third base during his career.

Wichita acquired Cavan, who is a career .277 hitter with 648 hits, 335 RBIs and 373 runs in six professional seasons, in a trade earlier this offseason.

“Ryan Cavan has an impressive resume, and all of my reports on him say that he plays the game hard and he plays the game right,” said T-Bones manager John Massarelli. “As far as T.J., he wanted to be closer to his family in Wichita, and we wish him the best.”

Mittelstaedt reached base in all 51 home games for Kansas City last season, and finished the season with a .268 batting average, 16 home runs and 52 RBIs.

The T-Bones open the 2015 regular season at home on May 22 against Lincoln.

– Story from T-Bones