Month: August 2017

Veteran and deep KCKCC men’s soccer team in home opener Sunday

Ruben Rodriguez,

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

With nearly a dozen returnees from one of the most successful teams in history and one of the most promising freshmen classes ever, expectations are high for the 2017 Kansas City Kansas Community College men’s soccer team.

The Blue Devils open a 12-game schedule Sunday, Aug. 23, when they host East Central at 2:30 p.m. The game will follow a noon kickoff matching the KCKCC women against Dodge City.

The first of three straight home contests for the Blue Devils, they’re also home Friday, Sept. 1, against Blue River at 7:30 p.m. and then will begin Jayhawk Conference and Region VI play in a home match with Neosho County Sept. 5.

The Blue Devils finished 10-4-1 last year, the first KCKCC team to finish above .500 since 2009. Beaten only once at home, the Blue Devils reached the first round of the Region VI playoffs.

“Our goal this year is to return to the playoffs and to host an opening playoff game,” said Ruben Rodriguez, who is in his sixth season as head coach.

He’ll do it armed with 11 sophomores, a new but experienced goalkeeper and an exciting group of 18 freshmen.

“The strength of this team will be the experience of our sophomores coming off a very good season, experience they’ll pass on to our freshmen,” said fourth year assistant Burke Slusher. “We should be two or three deep at every position.”

Veterans Emmanuel Hernandez, Leonardo Da Silva and Pa Ousman Jobe return to anchor the defense where they’ll be joined on the back line by freshmen Frano Buhovar, Quinton Exeter, Matheus Nunes, Gustavo Paleiri and Phillip Parmour.

The Blue Devils are loaded at midfield led by a sophomore contingent of twins Jesse and Giovanni Calderon of JC Harmon, Mario Sandoval, Brajan Huyke, Ricardo Angelo, Raul Barrios and Fernando Garella. They’ll be joined by freshmen Quintin Pulliam, Bruno Rovares, Reed Axthelm, Aldayr Carrillo, Hector Valles, Jonas Mejias and Abdulrahmen Khalid.

“Having so many midfielders is a good problem to have because typically they are the most versatile players,” Rodriguez said.

Sophomore Guilherme Grave heads a corps of forwards that also includes freshmen Keevin Dyke, Rodolfo Valiente, Ricardo Gonazlez and Jackson Jones. Youssef Gadelkerim, a 6-3 transfer from Monroe College where he played on a national runnerup team, will be the goal keeper.

With such a large squad, Rodriguez took the Blue Devils to Baker, Rockhurst and Ottawa for exhibition games.

“After Ottawa, we hope to have a good idea of our starting lineup and how our depth shapes up,” Rodriguez said.

The Blue Devils will play a 10-game home-and-home conference schedule, squaring off against Neosho County, Allen County, Cowley College, Coffeyville and Johnson County,

An instrumental part of the KCKCC soccer program since 2007, Rodriguez founded the KCKCC women’s program in 2012 and has more than 40 years of playing and coaching experience. A graduate of Missouri State where he played collegiately, Slusher previously was an assistant men’s and women’s coach at William Jewell and has more than 20 years of playing and coaching experience.

Faith news

To send in items for the Faith News, email information to [email protected]. Please include your name and contact information. In the event of inclement weather, contact the church or organization to see if the event is still being held.

An ice cream social is planned after the 4 p.m. Mass Saturday, Aug. 26, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Judson Baptist Church, 8300 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold Sunday morning services at 11 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month, and at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the other Sundays, and Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. The church website is http://judsonbaptistchurchkck.com/.

“Praying With Mandalas” will allow the creative side to work with pen, colored pencil and design while the spirit is lifted in prayer. The group is facilitated by Sister Patricia Seipel, OSB, and will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. To register for the group, call 913-906-8990. The Keeler Women’s Center also will offer Bible sharing, reflection, lectio and journaling, led by Heather Neds, pastoral minister, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., will honor Ross Warnell, the retiring volunteer manager of the parish food pantry, at a potluck dinner from 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Warnell has been the manager for five years. The parish will observe the thirteenth Sunday in Pentecost at 10 a.m. Sept. 3.

Send Faith News items to [email protected]. Please include your contact information.

Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily news is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to [email protected] and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call to see if the event is still planned.

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: con lideres Maria Elena Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, los Martes, 29 de Agosto, 10-11 a.m.; Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, Ofrecido por MOCSA, contacte a Sinead McDonough, llame al 816-285-1349, los martes, 1 – 2:30 p.m.. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Benefit show for AIDS Walk KC to be Sunday evening
KC Cares, a show that benefits AIDS Walk KC, will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. Produced by KC Applauds, the show features an evening of entertainment featuring some of Kansas City’s finest voices. The suggested donation will be $20 for adults, and $10 for students and those who are 60 and older. The show will accept cash or checks made payable to AIDS Walk KC. The show is appropriate for all ages. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/KC-Applauds-822754221159802/ or https://www.kcapplauds.net/.

Affirmations group to meet Monday
The Affirmations and Living Free Growth Group for women will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group’s purpose is to help women change the way they think about themselves and their lives. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

UG committees to meet Aug. 28
The Unified Government Public Works and Safety Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the fifth floor meeting room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. It will be followed by the Administration and Human Services Committee. Agendas are posted at www.wycokck.org.

Class offered on knitting and crocheting
A class on knitting, crocheting and quilting will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

Group to meet Wednesday
Quill & Pluma, “Empowering the Voice of Women,” will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Kari L. O’Rourke. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

Meeting scheduled on design for Kaw River Bridge
A public meeting to discuss design for the Kaw River bike and pedestrian connector bridge is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Wagstaff Theatre at the American Royal building, 1701 American Royal Court, Kansas City, Mo. Three designs are on the drawing board, and members of the public will hear a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session and an opportunity for informal public response.

Blood drive scheduled at Bonner Springs High School
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled Aug. 31 at Bonner Springs High School gym, 100 McDanield St., Bonner Springs, Kan. The hours of the blood drive are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Program offered about saving trees
A program will be offered about saving trees from the emerald ash borer. The program will cover identification and treatment, and recommended replacement trees. The program is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs, Kansas. For more information, see http://bonnerlibrary.org/green-menace/.

UG Commission to meet Aug. 31
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Check www.wycokck.org for more details on the meeting.

Renaissance Festival opens season on Sept. 2
The 41st annual Renaissance Festival will open Saturday, Sept. 2, and run on weekends plus Labor Day and Columbus Day, through Oct. 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival site is located at 130th and State Avenue in Bonner Springs. For more information, visit www.kcrenfest.com.

Offices closed Sept. 4
Unified Government offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no residential trash collection by Waste Management on Sept. 4. Trash pickup will be delayed one day that week.

Bonner library to start 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program
Children may be signed up for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program starting Tuesday, Sept. 5, at the Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, Kan. The goal is to have read 1,000 books before the child starts kindergarten. If parents read a book a night to their child, they will have read 1,095 books in three years. Books can be repeated in this program. Sign up at the library to collect a folder and reading logs and start reading. There will be a kickoff party at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. For more information visit www.bonnerlibrary.org.

Blood drive scheduled Sept. 5
Curves, 1224 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Red Cross blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 5. For more information or to register to be a blood donor, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Strolling for Sickle Cell 5K to be Sept. 9
The seventh annual 5K Fun Walk, Strolling for Sickle Cell, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 9, at Kansas City Kansas Community College Conference Center, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. For more information, call 913-735-2622 or visit www.sicklecellkck.org.

Central Avenue parade scheduled Sept. 9
The Central Avenue Betterment Association parade is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. The parade route starts at 18th Street and travels to Bethany Park at 11th and Central Avenue. LaPlacita Community Festival will be held after the parade, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Bethany Park. There will be music, food and activities.

Library in the Park celebration to be Sept. 9
Library in the Park, a celebration by the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Big 11 Lake, at 11th and State Avenue. The free festival will include live music, food and activities. A book signing by Katherine Russell-Brown, author of “Little Melba and her Big Trombone,” will be part of the event. A family friendly movie will be shown. The event also includes a musical instrument “petting zoo” from the Kansas City Symphony, face painting, and other activities. Those attending will be able to sample tacos from five local restaurants in a contest to determine the best. Sheridan’s will provide frozen custard. For more information, visit www.libraryinthepark.org.

Women’s Chamber plans meeting Sept. 13
The Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber of Commerce is planning an educational program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. The guest speaker, Chris Lundine of Culture Index, will speak on the topic, “Right People in the Right Seats.” Registration is requested for the program. For more information, visit http://kckwomenschamber.org/.

Blood drive scheduled at Children’s Mercy Park
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled Sept. 23 at Children’s Mercy Park, One Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas, in the Boulevard Members Club. The hours of the blood drive are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Counseling available
The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., offers counseling services available in English and Spanish for men and women. Counseling is available Monday through Thursday, with day and evening times available. Individual counseling, couple-marriage counseling and addictions counseling is available. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to schedule an appointment.

Wyandotte County Museum
The Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and holidays. For more information visit the website www.facebook.com/wycomuseum or call 913-573-5002.

Strawberry Hill Museum
The Strawberry Hill Museum at 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., has events scheduled. The museum is closed on Father’s Day. For more information, call 913-371-3264 or visit http://www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Grinter Place Museum
The Grinter Place State Historic Site, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan., is one of the oldest homes in the area, built in 1857. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students; and children 5 and younger free. It is closed on state holidays. For more information about hours and days it is open, call 913-299-0373 or visit http://www.kshs.org/p/grinter-place-plan-your-visit/15857.

Old Quindaro Museum
The Old Quindaro Museum is at 3432 N. 29th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information about the museum, call 816-820-3615 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ccoqmuseum/.