Month: December 2017

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 Mary Ellen Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, los martes, 5, 12, y 19 de diciembre, 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.

Special UG meeting scheduled Dec. 4
A special Unified Government Commission meeting has been called for 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. On the agenda is a resolution adding two more full commission meetings in December, for Dec. 4 and 21, and a resolution to give notice of a public hearing on Dec. 21 on the topic of creating a new Legends Garage and Lawn Community Improvement District (CID). The UG also has Neighborhood and Community Development and Economic Development and Finance committee meetings on Monday evening in the fifth floor commission room. For more information, visit www.wycokck.org, in the agenda section.

BPU to review proposed budget Dec. 5
The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities Board of Directors will be reviewing the 2018 proposed budget during a workshop to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BPU Administration Building located at 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Tuesday’s workshop will consist of budget reviews for the Administrative Division; Accounting; Customer Service; Human Resources; Electric Production; Electric Supply; Electric Operations and Technology and Water Divisions. The final budget will be presented to the board for its approval during the Dec. 20 BPU board meeting.

Community meeting on future of northeast area to be Dec. 5
A community meeting on the future of the northeast area and developing a northeast area master plan will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Neff Packaging, 555 Sunshine Road, Kansas City, Kansas. Another community meeting on the northeast area master plan will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Grant Elementary School, 1510 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Initial findings, a vision for the northeast area, and early action projects to start the revitalization process will be discussed. Families with children may attend, and there will be food and beverages served.

Blood drive scheduled Dec. 6
The Unified Government Justice Complex, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas, has scheduled a Red Cross blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. For more information or to schedule a blood donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Program planned about funerals
An informational program about standard funerals, immediate burial and direct cremation will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Topics will include what’s available in the Kansas City area and how much does it cost. The presenter will be Steve Nicely in partnership with Funeral Consumers Alliance of KC. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

KCKCC to celebrate 93rd annual Candle Lighting Ceremony Dec. 6
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s oldest tradition is returning Dec. 6, honoring the holiday season while raising funds for scholarships at the same time. The 93rd-Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center on the main campus, 7250 State Ave. The ceremony will highlight students in the KCKCC Music Department and Theatre Department as well as KCKCC Foundation Scholarship Donors and Recipients. Among the groups performing will be the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Ensemble and the freshmen and sophomore class representatives. There will also be a video presentation of KCKCC Foundation Scholarship recipients and an introduction of the Foundation Legacy Project. The Candle Lighting Ceremony is free and open to the public. KCKCC alumni and community members will be given the opportunity to give free will donations to support the KCKCC student scholarship fund.

Haircuts offered
Free haircuts are offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The haircuts will be by Donna McCarty, licensed beautician. No appointment is needed. For more information, call 913-906-8990.

BPU to meet Dec. 6
The Board of Public Utilities will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the BPU offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. On the agenda is a visitors’ time, a resolution authorizing the waiving of certain fees, a Leavenworth Road update, October financial report, board comments, general manager comments, and a closed executive session.

Support group to meet Dec. 6
A Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The facilitated support group is for family members who have recently, or some time ago, experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

Women Writers to meet Dec. 7
The Women Writers group will meet from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Participants may bring their journals, stories and poems and work with other writers to share, critique and improve. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Star Wars holiday party planned
The Turner Community Library, 831 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is planning a Star Wars holiday event at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. The party’s Star Wars theme will coincide with the opening of a new Star Wars movie. Crafts, games and refreshments will be available, and those attending may dress as their favorite Star Wars character. There also will be an appearance by Santa Claus.

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

UG may meet Dec. 7
The Unified Government Commission may meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. For an agenda, visit www.wycokck.org.

KCKCC schedules public listening sessions on presidential search on Dec. 7-8
Kansas City Kansas Community College has scheduled two public listening sessions to gather response from community residents about the college’s presidential search.Information received from the public will be used to develop the job description for the position of president. The KCKCC board accepted the retirement of Doris Givens, KCKCC president, in September. The interim president is Jackie Vietti. A search firm, Pauly Group, has been hired to conduct the national presidential search. The search process is expected to begin after the holidays. The first community listening session will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Schlitterbahn main entry building, 94th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. The second community listening session is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 7th and Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. The listening sessions are open to the public.

Friends of Yates’ annual benefit gala to be Dec. 9
Friends of Yates will celebrate 104 years of service by holding the “Holiday At The Apollo” annual meeting and Benefit Gala at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Jack Reardon Convention Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. This year’s event will showcase the many programs and services that attribute to the continued success of Friends of Yates, according to a spokesman. For tickets and further information about Friends of Yates’ Holiday at the Apollo annual meeting and gala, contact the office at 913-321-1566. Also visit https://wyandotteonline.com/friends-of-yates-annual-benefit-gala-to-be-dec-9/.

Blood drive scheduled Dec. 9
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information or to schedule a blood donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Women’s Chamber plans holiday meeting
The Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual gift exchange at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Great Wolf Lodge, 10401 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. The lunch will cost $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Members will exchange a gift valued at $25 or less. For more information, visit http://kckwomenschamber.org/ or call 913-233-3305.

Blood drive scheduled Dec. 14
Bonner Springs High School, 100 McDanield St., will sponsor a Community Blood Center blood drive from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 in the gym. 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 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, has reopened after being closed for holiday decorating for an “Olde World Christmas.” The museum is open for tours from noon to 4:15 p.m. on the weekends. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. For more information or for custom tours 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/.

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.

Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold its Famous Pancakes and More Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Those participating may bring a camera to take a photo with Santa.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters, is holding a special Advent retreat for women from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. The facilitator will be Jennifer Halling, Benedictine novice, from Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. There will be time for input, sharing, reflection and prayer. Reservations are required to 913-906-8990.

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.

The Sanctuary Place, 3500 Dodson Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold traditional, informal Christmas worship services in December, followed by a light meal. The worship services will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24, followed by a dinner at 5 p.m. The Sanctuary Place is a new congregation affiliated with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. All are welcome.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., will observe the second Sunday in the season of Advent at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. An Advent service of lessons and carols will be held at 5 p.m.

St. Peter’s Cathedral, 416 N. 14th, will have its annual Nativity Display after Mass from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

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

Desperation half-court shot at horn foils KCKCC’s best effort

An acrobatic move got KCKCC sophomore Zion Buckner past North Ark’s high-flying Deontei Johnson for two of his 14 points in the Blue Devils’ 83-81 loss on a desperation half-court shot at the horn Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

It was the cruelest of setbacks for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young men’s basketball team Friday night – a desperation shot that banked in from beyond mid-court as the final horn was sounding.

North Arkansas guard Kamari Balton was the villain, hitting the game winner that gave the Pioneers an 83-81 win that ruined the Blue Devils’ best effort of the season. The win was the 10th in 11 starts for North Ark while KCKCC fell to 4-8 heading into a home game with Iowa Lakes next Saturday at 4 p.m.

Trailing 80-79 with 25 seconds left, KCKCC got a key block from Josiah Laws and then went ahead when Solomon Thomas hit a clutch 12-foot jump shot from the baseline for an 81-80 lead with 4.9 seconds remaining.

After a North Ark timeout, KCKCC’s Sterling Hicks nearly came up with a game-ending steal when he deflected the in-bounds pass but the Pioneers’ Kody Gilliland was able to retrieve the loose ball and get it to Balton, who took two dribbles and banked in the game-winner just as he was about to cross the mid-court stripe. Video confirmed there were four-tenths of a second left when the ball left Balton’s hand.

“A great effort by our guys,” said KCKCC coach Kelley Newton, whose Blue Devils wiped out a 16-point first half deficit with a furious second half comeback that saw them surge to a 78-71 lead on a Hicks’ 3-pointer with 4:56 remaining. However, the Blue Devils could muster only three points the rest of the way, a free throw by Dion Union and Thomas’ go-ahead basket with 4.9 seconds left.

The Blue Devils got a spectacular performance from Olathe East freshman Dion Union, who had a game high and career best 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting including 4-of-6 three-pointers and came close to a triple double. He also led KCKCC in rebounds with 10 and assists with seven.

Backcourt running mate Zion Buckner added 17 points and six rebounds while Hicks had nine points and six rebounds, Tyson Beringer eight points and eight rebounds and Trevon Jefferson six points and five rebounds. KCKCC had a 49-40 advantage in rebounding and both teams had 11 turnovers.

In the end, the difference was the scoring from the perimeter. The Pioneers outscored the Blue Devils 45-24 from 3-point, netting 15-of-34 for 44.1 percent to 8-of-25 for 32 percent for KCKCC.

Freshman Dion Union (5) turned in a near triple double performance in KCKCC’s heartbreaking 83-81 loss to North Ark Friday, scoring a career high 28 points and leading the Blue Devils in rebounding with 10 and assists with seven. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)