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.

Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, 7819 Swartz Road, Kansas City, Kansas will hold its annual Trunk or Treat event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29.

Parkway Baptist Church, 12320 Parallel Parkway, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the church classrooms. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

A pancake breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 29, will benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary, a group of religious who provide nursing care to the sick. The pancake and sausage breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. Patrick Catholic Church center, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The breakfast will cost $6 for adults and $4 for children under age 10. There will also be a bake sale and variety booth.

An Oktoberfest dance is planned from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the St. Anthony Catholic Church basement, 615 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are $20 and include dinner, drinks and dancing to the Willie Kirst Band. The event’s sponsor is the German-American Edelweiss Society.

All Saints Day will be observed at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. Plans are being made for a kick-off dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 in the parish hall to mark the 160th anniversary of the church.

The Wyandotte County mayors, in cooperation with Wyandotte County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Committee, will hold the 43rd annual Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3. The breakfast buffet and program will be held at the Reardon Convention Center at 500 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Seating begins at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $22 per person. All ticket reservations must be paid in advance. This year’s keynote speaker will be Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark A. Dupree Sr. The event is open to everyone. Reservations may be made by emailing [email protected].

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: Puedo Vivir En Armonia, Desarrolle las erramientas para manejar sus emociones y vivir emocionalmente saludable, martes, Octubre 31, 10-11:30 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.

Dracula comedy continues
“Dracula, the Final Countdown,” a comedy by Geoff Bamber, continues at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, as at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St. Kansas City, Kansas. The retelling of the old Dracula story will include twists that give a different turn to the story. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for students. Reservations are available by phone or email at 913-233-2787 or [email protected]. Tickets are available at the door only (call to make sure seats are still available and to reserve a ticket). Alcott does not accept credit and debit cards. The art galleries at the Alcott Center also will be open. The building is not ADA accessible. For more information, see https://www.alcottartscenter.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/alcott.arts.center/.

‘Storytelling around the Campfire’ on Oct. 28 at Grinter Place
“Storytelling around the Campfire” is planned at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the historic Grinter House, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. It is a free event. Those attending may roast and eat hot dogs, s’mores and drink hot chocolate or Kool-Aid and enjoy a historical re-enactment of Dr. James Naismith, the man who invented basketball and the first basketball coach of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. Bill Nicks, curator of Grinter House, will present his first-person re-enactment of Naismith and offer the stories about the history of basketball.

Halloween party to be Oct. 28 at Eisenhower Recreation Center
A Halloween party for area children will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd. The event is sponsored by the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department, Leavenworth Road Association and Multiply Church. Activities, games, treats and trick-or-treating at tables will take place. There will be treats and hot dogs. For more information, call the Leavenworth Road Association office, 913-788-3988 or email [email protected].

Halloween event planned Oct. 31 at Alcott
A Halloween trick-or-treat event is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Volunteers will decorate the lawn of the center, and children may trick-or-treat. There will be face painting and a cartoonist. It is a free event.

BPU to meet Nov. 1
The Board of Public Utilities will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the BPU offices at 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The agenda for the work session at 5 p.m. includes a board update, general manager update and revenue forecast. The agenda for the regular meeting at 6 p.m. will include linemen certificate presentations, utility services department update, Google report, third quarter financial report, board comments and general manager comments.

UG Ethics Commission to meet
The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the second floor, Wyandotte County Courthouse, Division 18, old county commissioners’ chambers, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Blood drive to be Nov. 2-3 at KU Med Center
The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3 at Hixson Atrium. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled at Washington High School
Washington High School, 7340 Leavenworth Road, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the small gym. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Veterans Day Commemoration planned Nov. 4
A Veterans Day Commemoration program is planned 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Village, 6732 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. It is a free community event. The program is presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6401, Wyandotte County, www.vfw6401.org. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. The guest speaker is David Thaxton, former staff sergeant in the Kansas Army National Guard 2-137th Infantry, who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Also part of the program will be the Piper High School Music in Motion, the Veteran’s History Project, commemorative displays and brunch. There will be recognition of all war veterans with emphasis on veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and Desert Storm. Partners and sponsors include the Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber, KCK Convention and Visitors Bureau, Salvation Army Harbor Light Village, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library and Providence Medical Center.

CABA plans Day of Dead celebration Nov. 4
The Central Avenue Betterment Association is planning a Day of the Dead parade and celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, from 6th to 16th streets on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. Live music and food are planned along Central Avenue. An offerings celebration will be held earlier in the day on Central Avenue. For more information, visit https://www.cabakck.org/.

Grinter Place Friends to hold chili dinner Nov. 4
On Nov. 4, the Grinter Place Friends will hold their annual chili dinner from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Grinter Barn, 1400 S. 78th, Kansas City, Kansas. There will be all-you-can-eat chili for $8 for adults and $4 for veterans with identification, in honor of Veterans Day, and also for children 12 or younger. Included with dinner is a drink and dessert. There also will be hot dogs and chili dogs available for purchase. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Grinter-Place-Friends-Inc-560554977327335/.

Bishop Ward High School to hold blood drive
Bishop Ward High School, 708 N. 18th St., will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the gym. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Medicare open enrollment assistance event scheduled
Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., has scheduled a Medicare open enrollment assistance event for seniors from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Piper High School schedules blood drive

Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the gym. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Grinter Jamboree to be Nov. 14
The Grinter Place Friends are bringing back their Jamboree, which will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 14, the second Tuesday of the month, at the Grinter Barn, 1400 S. 78th, Kansas City, Kansas. One was held during October and about 40 to 50 people attended. The MP3 Band will perform. There will be a cover charge of $5 per person, and a snack bar will be available to purchase light refreshments. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Grinter-Place-Friends-Inc-560554977327335/.

Blood drive scheduled Nov. 16 at TEC Center
KCKCC Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave., will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16 in the multipurpose room. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive planned at Turner High School
Turner High School, 2211 S. 55th St., will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 7:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in the auxiliary gym. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled Nov. 20
Harding and Associates, 8437 State Ave., will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 20 in the parking lot. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled Nov. 27
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at Dave and Buster’s, 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information or to schedule a blood donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Blood drive scheduled Nov. 28
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave. For more information or to schedule a blood donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Counseling available
The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., offers counseling services for men and women. Individual counseling and couples counseling is available. Nothing is billed and donations are accepted. 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. Monday through Friday. There is no admission charge. For more information, call 913-573-5002 or visit https://www.facebook.com/wycomuseum/.

Strawberry Hill Museum
The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is currently closed for holiday decorating. The museum will reopen Nov. 3. For more information call 913-371-3264 or visit 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. 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/.

Swope Park Rangers to play for Western Conference semifinals today at Children’s Mercy Park in KCK

The Swope Park Rangers (17-8-8, 4th seed) and Sacramento Republic FC (13-12-8, 8th seed) will meet at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, in the first of four Conference Semifinals in the USL Cup Playoffs.

Tickets for the match-up inside the state-of-the-art MLS stadium are available for $15 and can be purchased online at SeatGeek.com or at the venue box office prior to kickoff. Free parking will be available to ticket holders in Lot D beginning at 1 p.m. and gates will open at 3 p.m.

The Rangers and Republic FC each reached the semifinal stage via penalty kick shootouts last weekend in the postseason’s opening round. SPR fell behind 1-0 in extra time against Phoenix Rising FC on a goal from World Cup veteran Didier Drogba before Amer Didic’s 109th-minute header sent the match into penalties, where the reigning Western Conference champions prevailed with four consecutive conversions at Swope Soccer Village.

Sacramento kicked off its fourth consecutive postseason campaign by stunning USL regular season champions Real Monarchs SLC at their home ground last Friday, taking a 1-0 lead through 20-year-old newcomer Luis Espino and recovering from conceding an 86th-minute penalty kick to advance in a shootout that saw goalkeeper Evan Newtown make two saves.

The Republic, who claimed a USL championship in 2014, now travel to Kansas City for their fifth consecutive road match in a 2017 season highlighted on the field by the club’s run to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 with a 4-1 upset of Real Salt Lake and off the field by the launch of construction on a $245-million stadium in downtown Sacramento.

The visitors’ lineup features a core group of returners from last year’s squad that topped the Western Conference in the regular season, with Montenegro international Emrah Klimenta anchoring the backline and Puerto Rico international Jeremy Hall in central midfield as the league’s leading passer. The club added three USL standouts to their attack with the acquisitions of Trevin Caesar, Sammy Ochoa and Villyan Bijev who all led their teams in scoring in 2016.

Ochoa (8 goals, 6 assists) and Caesar (7 goals, 3 assists) now lead Sacramento in scoring, while Bijev, whose 10 assists were most in the USL last season, has contributed two goals and two assists since arriving on loan last month. Caesar has missed the team’s last four matches due to international duty with Trinidad and Tobago and a subsequent hamstring strain, however could be set to return on Saturday after not being listed on the team’s injury report.

The Rangers hold the upper hand in the all-time series with Sacramento, earning a 1-0 home win in April and coming away with draws in road trips to northern California in both 2016 and 2017. The two teams lead the Western Conference in passing, albeit with contrasting styles.

Sacramento ranks first in the USL with 506 crosses, with 306 of those crosses coming from outside backs James Kiffe and Elliott Hord, while SPR has attempted the fewest crosses in the USL this season by a wide margin.

SPR will bring a balanced attack into Saturday’s showdown with 17 different goal scorers in the regular season, most in the USL, and 15 goals by substitutes this season for a team with a knack for comebacks. On three occasions, the Rangers have overcome deficits to win this year in addition to twice earning draws despite trailing by two goals.

The club’s latest comeback with an extra-time equalizer last Sunday to stave off elimination came via the latest goal scored in SPR’s short history, surpassing the team’s dramatic shorthanded goal in the 105th minute of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals.

Now back on the same stage, the Rangers will hold the first USL Cup Playoffs match at Children’s Mercy Park. The home of Sporting KC was also home to two SPR fixtures last season: the Rangers inaugural match, a 2-1 victory over Portland Timbers 2, as well as a 1-1 draw with cross-state rivals Saint Louis FC in their last visit to Kansas City.

Saturday’s winner will advance to the Western Conference Championship to play either San Antonio FC (17-4-11, 2nd seed) or OKC Energy FC (14-11-7, 6th seed), who meet at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Toyota Field in Texas. All USL matches are streamed live on YouTube and USLsoccer.com leading up to the USL Cup Final on Nov. 13 live on ESPNU.

– Story from Swope Park Rangers