Month: April 2017

Jazz Summit continues today and Friday at KCKCC Performing Arts Center

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Jazz music is filling Kansas City Kansas Community College this week as the 2017 Kansas City Jazz Summit returns to the main campus.

The Jazz Summit started Wednesday, and continues Thursday and Friday in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center, 7250 State Ave. The event, which is produced by the Kansas City Jazz Alliance, is free and open to the public.

The Jazz Summit caters to jazz groups at the middle school, high school and college level in both competitive and non-competitive sessions. It is a collaborative effort between the KCKCC Music Department, Audio Engineering department, Theater and the Intercultural Center. Awards are given for outstanding soloists, woodwinds, brass and rhythm section performers.

There are three levels of participation. These include:
• Jazz Summit. A non-competitive group where jazz groups perform for adjudicators. No winners are named, but outstanding groups and soloists are recognized. Groups that participate in this category receive a plaque or trophy.

• Kansas City Jazz Heritage – “Basically Basie.” This is a competitive category on Thursday of the Jazz Summit. Groups are required to pick three songs from an established list of Count Basie repertoire. These selections must have been recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra. Judging is based on the authenticity and attention to detail. The top two groups will compete for audience voting, which is done by text message. The winning group receives a cash prize as well as a traveling plaque. Olathe Northwest High School Raven Jazz I won the competition last year.

• Jazz Tyro. This is specifically designed for younger bands with little experience. Those that participate receive positive comments as well as a clinic following their performance.

Each day, groups from throughout the region perform. Local schools attending the Jazz Summit include Wyandotte High School, Washington High School, Harmon, Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences, Schlagle, Basehor-Linwood, Tonganoxie, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Olathe Northwest, Olathe East, Olathe North, Shawnee Mission East, Liberty High School and Shawnee Mission Northwest.

For complete schedules for all three days of the event, visitwww.kansascityjazz.org/kansascityjazzsummit.html.

Wet weather to return tonight through the weekend

Forecast rainfall amounts through Sunday night

Rain returns to the area tonight, and is expected to total one-quarter to one-half inch, according to the National Weather Service.

After a lull during much of the day on Friday, periods of rain are expected Friday night into the weekend, the weather service said. Total rainfall amounts may be between 1.5 to 2 inches, according to the weather service.

Rivers, creeks and streams will see rises over the weekend. River flooding is a concern and should be monitored, the weather service said. Some river levels are at https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=top.

Today’s high will be near 62 with a south southwest wind of 5 to 7 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, there is a 70 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m., with a low of 50, according to the weather service. A south wind of 5 to 10 mph will become east after midnight. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m., with a high near 67, the weather service said. An east wind of 5 to 8 mph will change to west in the afternoon.

Friday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m., with a low of 47, according to the weather service. There will be a north northeast wind of 7 to 10 mph. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is possible.

Saturday, there is an 80 percent chance of rain with a high near 52, the weather service said. Winds will be from the northeast at 11 to 15 mph, gusting to as high as 28 mph. Between a half and three-fourth of an inch of rain is possible.

Saturday night, the chance of rain is 90 percent, with a low of 45, according to the weather service. Between three-fourth and one inch of rain is possible.

Sunday, there is a 70 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m., with a high near 53, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers, with a low of 40, according to the weather service.

American Royal, healthy campus plan may be considered Thursday at UG Commission meetings

The American Royal project plan and the downtown healthy campus are among the topics that may be considered Thursday by the Unified Government Commission.

The proposed Indian Springs development has been taken off the 7 p.m. agenda, as the developer has withdrawn the proposal. There will be a 90-day period of planning and community input on the future of Indian Springs, according to the agenda.

Several planning and zoning items are on the 7 p.m. agenda.

At 5 p.m. Thursday, April 27, there will be a special meeting including a presentation on the state of Municipal Court and an update on the healthy campus project, according to the agenda, followed by a closed executive session on land acquisition and labor.

At the 7 p.m. meeting April 27, the UG may set a public hearing date of June 15 to consider the proposed project plan for the American Royal project near 110th Street, near the Village West area.

Also at 7 p.m., the commission is set to vote on an agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 64.

The 5 p.m. meeting will be held in the fifth-floor conference room at City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas, and the 7 p.m. meeting will be in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall.

Other items on the 7 p.m. agenda include:
• 1243 Scott Ave., change of zone from two-family to general industrial for auto sales and service, recommended for denial. There is also a special use permit application for this address, recommended for denial. There also is a master plan amendment from residential to light industrial at this address, recommended for denial.
• 13300 Donahoo Road, change of zone from agriculture to single-family for a single-family home, Brandon Knetter, recommended for approval.
• 1226 Armstrong Ave., special use permit for a 79-foot self-supporting stealth type monopole tower, Scott Goble with Pamcorp LLC, recommended for approval.
• 12 N. James St., special use permit for a drinking establishment and live entertainment and parking, Willie Fields with Silvur Dolla Ent LLC, recommended for approval for six months.
• 3030 S. 24th St., special use permit for a dealer’s license to buy and sell cars at auction, Jason Myers with Coach Automotive Restylers LLC, recommended for approval for two years.
• 6656 Inland Drive, special use permit for an automotive repair shop, David Zenere with Kansas City Property, recommended for approval for two years.
• 12325 Bellerive Drive, renewal of a home occupation special use permit, Carreen Blankenship with Sweet Celebrations LLC, recommended for approval for 10 years.
• 6832 Kaw Drive, renewal of a special use permit for a liquor store, Hanif Lakhani with 32 Highway Liquors LLC, recommended for approval for five years.
• 151 S. 18th St., Suite A, renewal of a special use permit for live entertainment in conjunction with existing restaurant, Jorge Salazar with JIAJ Inc. recommended for approval for two years.
• 1110 Shawnee Ave., vacation of an alley, recommended for approval.
• 4121 Minnesota Ave., preliminary and final plan review for a new church, Darryl Hawkins with Innovative Design, recommended for approval.
• 1427 N. 38th St., special use permit for the temporary use of land for three storage trailers, Pamala Kukoyi, recommended for denial.
• Plat of Central Industrial Park, Phase 2, at Kindelb erger and Central Industrial Avenue, being developed by NorthPoint.
• Nomination of Paul Mose to the City Planning Commission and Board of ZXoning Appeals, submitted by Commissioner Ann Brandau-Murguia.