Month: July 2018

Congressional candidate goes door-to-door in the Dotte

Sylvia Williams, right, one of six Democratic candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd District, handed out campaign literature Saturday to Robert Cobin at the Heather Heights neighborhood group meeting at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 4953 State Ave. (Staff photo)

by Mary Rupert

Sylvia Williams, a candidate for U.S. House, 3rd District, campaigned in the Midtown area of Kansas City, Kansas, on Saturday, knocking on doors and also attending a meeting of the Heather Heights neighborhood group.

She explained her stance to the neighborhood group on issues including equal pay for women, access to health care, a higher minimum wage, education and guns.

Women still only get paid 77 cents on the dollar compared to men, and the nation could use women who would go to Washington and try to work for equal pay, she said.

Williams said a lot of the people in Congress are lawyers, but what Washington really needed was not people who argue, but people who can sit down and solve problems.

The neighborhood group met at the Neighborhood Resource Center at 4953 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

One resident at the meeting recalled some unequal treatment of women at work and said she was glad to have someone work for equal pay for women.

Another resident mentioned the importance of education and students getting quality educations.

Williams said she would do anything she could at the federal level to support schools, and she would like to make sure something like the Brownback experiment with cuts to schools doesn’t happen again.

A Democratic Congressional candidate, Sylvia Williams, spoke to a neighborhood group Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo)

A resident at the neighborhood meeting also brought up the topic of guns, and talked about the time he saw people in cars shooting at each other on the street.

“You can’t go anywhere without the fear of guns next to you,” the resident said.

Williams said she favored universal background checks, closing loopholes on gun shows, and is against military-style automatic assault weapons. She said she isn’t anti-Second Amendment, and her dad was a hunter, but he would have thought today’s society is senseless for allowing military-style assault weapons.

Williams recently has been knocking on doors north of Parallel Parkway, and 62nd Place north of State Avenue, in the Midtown area. She also plans to visit an area north of the Kansas Speedway.

She said she’s knocked on more than 2,000 doors herself.

Williams said officials need to make sure they do a good job representing everybody.

“People really appreciate it,” she said of the voters’ reactions to her neighborhood visits. One 87-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, man told her she was the first candidate to ever come to his door.

Williams said that while people often refer to her as a moderate, she wanted them to know that she was in favor of universal access to health care.

“We need to figure out how to modernize the minimum wage system,” she said. It’s not as simple as saying raise it $2 an hour, she said. “We need to raise the overall rate, and make sure we tie it to inflation, with annual adjustments,” Williams said.

She said her polls have shown that Social Security and Medicare are some of the top issues here. With Republicans discussing making cuts to Social Security and Medicare, it is a very important concern for residents.

The 3rd District needs to send someone who will really fight to keep Social Security and Medicare intact, she said.

Williams, a resident of Leawood, has worked 29 years in the financial field. In the community banking area, she was one of the first women to be a department manager and has served in senior management positions. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration in finance. She is originally from the Parsons, Kansas, area. She also has done volunteer work at her daughter’s public school, has been a youth group leader, and volunteers at her church.

Williams said she has a strong leadership team. Kelly Kultala, a former state senator from Kansas City, Kansas, who ran for the 3rd District, U.S. House, in 2014, is Williams’ campaign manager. Joan Wagnon, former state Democratic Party chair, is a senior adviser to her campaign. Tyler McCall, who ran for a legislative office previously in Missouri, is the campaign coordinator.

In all, six Democrats are running in the Aug. 7 primary for the 3rd District seat. Williams said she and Brent Welder, also running for the 3rd District, have sent out mailers and done television ads. The other four Democratic candidates for the office are Sharice Davids, Mike McCamon, Tom Niermann and Jay Sidie. Incumbent Rep. Kevin Yoder, a Republican, is running for re-election, with two Republican opponents.

“I feel pretty good about the race,” Williams said. She added she has tried to stay above any infighting among the candidates.

Leonard Stallings, president of the Heather Heights neighborhood group, listened to the presentation by candidate Sylvia Williams on Saturday. (Staff photo)
Irene Breedlove, secretary of the Heather Heights neighborhood group, listened to a presentation by candidate Sylvia Williams on Saturday. (Staff photo)

To see previous stories about the 3rd District campaign, visit:

https://wyandotteonline.com/six-democrats-running-for-3rd-district-u-s-representative/

https://wyandotteonline.com/candidates-for-3rd-district-express-views-on-immigration/

https://wyandotteonline.com/kansas-3rd-district-congressional-candidates-discuss-issues-at-forum/

https://wyandotteonline.com/thousands-hear-sanders-speak-at-welder-campaign-rally-in-kck/

https://wyandotteonline.com/former-mayor-campaigns-for-niermann/

For more election stories, see https://wyandotteonline.com/category/election-2018/

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., is planning an ice cream social after the 4 p.m. Mass Saturday, Aug. 25. There will be food, games and bingo.

Scripture Study and Reflection group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Heather Neds.
A Gospel Non-Violence Study Group will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Peg Burns Kerbawy.
A Prayer and Movement group will meet from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group will focus on reflection of the scriptures, contemplation and body movement. The Keeler Women’s Center is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters. Call 913-906-8990 for more information and reservations.

Our Lady and St. Rose Catholic Church, 8th and Quindaro, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold its annual block party from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18.

Parkway Baptist Church, 12320 Parallel Parkway, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 in the church classrooms. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Volunteers are needed for Samaritan’s Purse’s project,Operation Christmas Child. In this program, led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, volunteers fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The shoeboxes are given to needy children. Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries since 1993. This year, the local Kansas City, Kansas West Area Team hopes to collect 15,782 shoebox gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in need. Shannon Zaring leads the local Kansas City, Kansas, West Area Team for Operation Christmas Child. To learn more about joining the Kansas City, Kansas West Area Team Area Team or to apply for leadership opportunities, visit samaritanspurse.org/volunteerwithOCC.

The annual Croatian Festival will start at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 708 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Authentic Croatian foods including sarma (cabbage rolls), sausage sandwiches, cibanac (beef stew), povitica (nut bread) and apple strudel will be available. Music will be performed by Hrvatski Obicaj, a group dedicated to preserving Croatian music. A free dance will begin at 9 p.m., with music by Kolograd. The event includes cold beer, beverages, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, and there will be booths and Strawberry Hill T-shirt sales. For more information, visit stjohnthebaptistcatholicchurch.com.

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City,Kan., will observe the eleventh Sunday in the season of Pentecost at 10 a.m. Aug. 5. The parish will hold an indoor potluck picnic immediately after the 10 a.m. Sunday service Aug. 12.

Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave., plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the church fellowship hall. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

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.

Democrats to open campaign office July 29 in KCK
Wyandotte County Democrats will have a grand opening for their campaign office from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at 7843 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WYCODems/.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, offers programs for Spanish-speaking women: Las Mujeres, Mary Ellen Rodriquez and Anna Maria Sauer, Martes, 31 de Julio 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, 11:30 – 1 p.m.
La Hora Financiera, con lider Brenda Mortell, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Jueves 2 de Agosto. El centro de mujeres Keeler ofrece consejeria espiritual a mujeres y hombres en espanol y ingles. Gratis. Se aceptan donaciones. Llame al 913-906-8990 para hacer su cita o para mas informacion. For more information and registration, call 913-906-8990.

Sen. Moran to hold listening tour meeting on Monday morning at Ag Hall
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, plans to hold a listening tour meeting from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, July 30, at the Agricultural Hall of Fame and National Center, conference theater, 630 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs. Residents may attend and share their opinions with Sen. Moran on issues in Kansas and the nation. Sen. Moran has held town hall meetings in each of Kansas’ 105 counties. The Ag Hall is located near 126th and State Avenue.

Program offered on raising safe kids
“ACT Raising Safe Kids” program will be offered for eight weeks from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, July 23-Sept. 17, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The presenter is Heather Neds. The topics include “Understanding Your Children’s Behavior” on July 23; and “Young Children’s Exposure to Violence” on July 30. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

UG schedules budget hearing July 30
The Unified Government has scheduled several budget workshops, including:
• 5 p.m. Monday, July 30, budget workshop and final public hearing, Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall;
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, budget adoption, Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall.

Writing group to meet July 30
A writing and e-publishing group, Quill and Pluma, will meet from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, July 30, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The bilingual writing and e-publishing collaborative is facilitated by Kari O’Rourke. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Growth group to meet Monday
The Affirmations and Living Free Growth Group for Women will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 30, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group helps women change the way they think about themselves and their lives. To register or for more information, call 913-906-8990.

Program offered on raising safe kids
“ACT Raising Safe Kids” program will be offered for eight weeks from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, July 23-Sept. 17, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The presenter is Heather Neds. The topics include “Young Children’s Exposure to Violence” on July 30. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Group to discuss healthy relationships
“Healthy Relationships: Domestic Violence Education and Support” group, will meet from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Felissa Johnson. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

KCK school board meeting scheduled July 31
A Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education meeting is scheduled at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, in the Central Office and Training Center, third floor, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kansas. According to the meeting notice, board members will have the opportunity to join by telephone. The meeting will include regular business, as well as two budget resolutions and the human resources report and recommendations, according to the meeting notice.

Candidate forum planned Tuesday, July 31, at Beatrice Lee Community Center
One candidate forum remains at the Beatrice Lee Community Center, the former JFK Center, at 1210 N. 10th St., Kansas City, Kansas. From 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, candidates for state representative have been invited. The candidate forums are sponsored by Community Health Council, Econ Avenue, Historic Northeast-Midtown Association, KC United, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Kansas City, Kansas, Chapter, NBC Community Development Corp., Northeast Economic Development Corp. and Unity with Purpose. The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Parenting support group to meet July 31
A parenting support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The program is presented by Marqueia Watson. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Knitting group to meet
A knitting and crocheting group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending may learn a new skill or work on current projects. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Women’s self-defense class offered
A women’s self-defense class will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The program will be facilitated by Sidney Thompson. Kansas City Tsuruoka Karate will show ways to defend oneself and others. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

BPU to meet Aug. 1
The Board of Public Utilities will meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, at the BPU offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. On the work session agenda is an economic development discussion and economic development fund request. The regular meeting will start at 6 p.m. Aug 1, and will include a visitors’ time, a report on a new online payment system, the second quarter financial report. board comments, general manager comments and a closed executive session. The BPU also has scheduled Board Committee meetings. The BPU Finance Committee will meet from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, in the BPU boards room at 540 Minnesota Ave. The BPU Leadership Committee will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, in the first floor conference room, also in the BPU administration building, 540 Minnesota Ave.

Gardeners’ problems to be topic of class
Gardeners’ problems will be discussed during a class from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Wyandotte County Extension office, Sunflower Room, 1208 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Ward Upham, K-State master gardener coordinator and hotline response manager, and author of the weekly online Horticulture Newsletter and “Pest of the Week” for homeowners, will teach the class. Upham will feature timely problems faced by gardeners. Those attending will learn when to expect problems and the best practices to combat them. The class is sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Registration is not required. The fee is $5, payable at the door. There is no fee for certified Extension Master Gardeners. For more information, call 913-299-9300.

Blood drive scheduled
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3 at Memorial Hall, 600 N. 7th St. Trafficway, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Conversation Café at the Main Library
Coffee and conversation is planned from 3 to 4 p.m. Aug. 2, and on the first and third Thursdays, at the café area of the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The Conversation Café will include conversations with peer community members to share similar life experiences, with a goal of increasing wellness and wellbeing. For more information, see https://kckpl.librarymarket.com/conversation-cafe.

Back-to-School Fair planned Aug. 4
A Back-to-School Fair is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The fair includes free school supplies, free immunizations and physical exams, free student haircuts, free vision screenings and glasses, free dental screening, free snacks and access to community resources. Students who live in Wyandotte County and attend school, both public and private, are welcome. Parents must provide proof of residence in Wyandotte County. Parents are required to bring their children. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/WyandotteCountyBackToSchoolFair/.

KCK Night Out Against Crime to be Aug. 7
The Kansas City, Kansas, Night Out Against Crime will be held from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 18th and Ridge, Kansas City, Kansas. The annual event promotes police and community partnerships and neighborhood relationships, with the purpose of enhancing safety and livability. The Kansas City, Kansas, Neighborhood Crime Prevention Patrol and Livable Neighborhoods are involved in this event.

Women’s chamber to meet Aug. 8
The Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber of Commerce will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the Children’s Campus, 444 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Scholarship award winners will be honored at the meeting. To register, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07efku3bl9fc10f5ad&oseq=&c=&ch=.

Card-making class offered
Create beautiful personalized cards on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Supplies will be provided. The class will be led by Carole Thrasher. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

‘Pretty Nails’ program offered
Appointments for a “Pretty Nails” program will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Those interested must call 913-906-8990 to schedule an appointment.

Author of ‘Kansas Curiosities’ to speak
Pam Grout, author of “Kansas Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities and Other Offbeat Stuff,” will be the guest speaker for the Bonner Springs Historic Preservation Society meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Alden-Harrington Family Event Center, 218 Oak St., Bonner Springs, Kansas. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://pamgrout.com/.

Fairfax group to meet
The Fairfax Industrial Association will meet for a luncheon from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at WestPro Construction Solutions, 2850 Fairfax Trafficway, Kansas City, Kansas. U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., will be the guest speaker. The sponsor of the event is Delta Innovative Services Inc. The luncheon is a member-only event. Registration is required.

Blood drive scheduled Aug. 16
Frontier Justice, 10000 France Family Drive, Kansas City, Kansas, has scheduled a Community Blood Center blood drive from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 in the special event room. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled Aug. 20
Chiropractic Healing Center, Harding and Associates, 8437 State Ave., plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at a donor bus in the parking lot. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled Aug. 20
The Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation center, 7850 Freeman Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20 at the chapel. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, offers individual and couples counseling and individual spiritual direction to women and men —available in English and Spanish. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information.

Wyandotte County Museum
For information about the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, call 913-573-5002 or visit https://www.facebook.com/wycomuseum/.

Strawberry Hill Museum
For information about The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, 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/.