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 before you go 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: Salud creación: Nuestras vidas son unas series de decisiones. Decídete a vivir una vida saludable y feliz al aprender los ocho principios de Dios para vivir la vida en plenitud. Sesiones ofrecidas los martes entre el 28 de Marzo, 2017, 10-11:30 a.m. Presentadora: Estrella Dominguez, Capellán de Shawnee Mission Medical Center. 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.

Free tax preparation assistance offered at KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College is working with NextStep KC and the United Way of Greater Kansas City to provide free federal and state income tax preparation for qualified individuals. The service, which started Feb. 1, is available to taxpayers with incomes of less than $54,000. Those who qualify should go to Room 3632 in the Flint Building on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave. at the following times:
• 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays (with the exception of March 15)
• 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays (with the exception of March 18)
• 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays (during February and on April 15 only)
The preparation is a joint venture between students in KCKCC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and NextStep KC., a community-based nonprofit that works to provide affordable financial services to low and moderate income families. Tax assistance is on a first-come, first-served basis. Lines form in advance, so arrive early, as spots will likely be full as soon as the assistance time opens. Please do not email or call the location. Walk-in clients only. The free tax preparation service is only available for federal returns as well as Kansas and Missouri state returns. It is not available for Schedule E (rental or royalty income), Schedule F (farm income) or estate and trust returns. Only 2016 returns will be prepared in February. Any returns 2013 through 2015 will be prepared in March and April. For more information, call 913-288-7555. Information on additional tax preparation sites is available by calling the United Way’s 2-1-1 line. For information on what documents to bring, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/kckcc-working-with-local-organizations-to-offer-free-tax-preparation/.

Help offered with income tax returns
The Turner Community Library, 831 S. 55th, is offering the AARP Tax Aide program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 30, and subsequent Thursdays. However, according to a note on the library’s website, all the appointments have now been filled at this location for the tax season. For more information, call 913-295-8250.

Support group for caregivers to meet
A support group for caregivers will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The group is for men and women. The facilitator is Jackie Tigges. For more information or registration, call 913-906-8990.

Next Chapter Kansas City program features author talk March 28
An author talk by Lou Eisenbrandt will be featured on Tuesday, March 28, at the Next Chapter Kansas City Forum meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. Eisenbrandt, of Overland Park, is the author of the book, “Vietnam Nurse: Mending & Remembering.” A popular speaker in the Kansas City area, Eisenbrandt has presented at Kansas City’s World War I Museum at the request of the Veterans’ Voices Writing Project, which uses therapeutic writing to rehabilitate veterans. A representative from Veterans’ Voices has also been invited to speak briefly at the March 28 forum. In her well-crafted memoir, Eisenbrandt has called upon her old journals and photos to put her Vietnam experience in perspective 40 years later. Everyone is welcome to attend and hear how she came to write this book in her Next Chapter. A book signing will follow the presentation. Next Chapter Kansas City forums are co-sponsored by the West Wyandotte Library and Next Chapter Kansas City program on the fourth Tuesday of the month, excluding the summer months. At Next Chapter Kansas City forums, typically a nonprofit organization representative gives a brief talk to give information about paid or unpaid opportunities. Next Chapter Kansas City is a program of Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kansas, and partner organizations. It provides meaningful opportunities for persons ages 50 and older as they explore options for work, service, and learning after leaving their primary career or in anticipation of doing so.

Program planned on understanding Medicare
A program is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, on understanding Medicare benefits. The presented is Susan Marcos. The program is for consumers. It will be a bilingual program in Spanish and English. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

New Civitan Club remembers KCK officers
A new Civitan Club in Kansas City, Kansas, was named in honor of slain Detective Brad Lancaster and Capt. Robert Melton of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The new club honors the slain officers and will work on service projects and other activities to make the community a better place, according to a spokesman. The Lancaster-Melton Peace Keepers Civitan Club is sponsored by the Lawrence Action Civitan Club. A spokesman said the club’s main objective is to keep the two officers’ memory alive by working together on projects that improve the community, to increase the knowledge and support of law enforcement officers in the community, as well as supporting positive efforts to make the community a better place to live, work, and play. Civitan International is celebrating its 100th year in 2017 with a goal to charter 100 new clubs and they will hold their Centennial Convention in Birmingham, Alabama, during June 24-27, 2017. Civitan Club membership is open to anyone who is at least 18 years old and of good character. The club’s next organizational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 29 at The Dotte Spot, 8123 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas. The meeting should be over at about 7:30 p.m. Any community members interested may attend the meeting.

Managing credit to be topic of program
“Understanding How to Manage Credit” will be presented by Habitat for Humanity from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The program will provide advice and tips on how to manage individual finances. The presenter is Ed Linnebur. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

UG Commission meeting planned
A Unified Government Commission meeting may be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Planning and zoning items may be on the agenda. For more information, visit www.wycokck.org.

Blood drive scheduled April 3
Providence Medical Center, 8929 Parallel Parkway, will hold a Community Blood Service blood drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, April 3, in the auditorium rooms. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Exercise program for older adults offered
“Stay Strong, Stay Healthy,” an 8-week exercise program for older adults, will be offered beginning April 4. The program targets strength, balance and flexibility. The program is held at the K-State Research and Extension office, 1216 N. 79th, Kansas City, Kan. The first program will be from 11 a.m. to noon April 4. Call 913-299-9300 for more information and registration.

Ethics Commission to meet April 6
The Unified Government Ethics Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 6, on the second floor of the Wyandotte County Courthouse, in Division 18, the old county commission chambers, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny planned April 8
The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th, Kansas City, Kansas, plans a breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8. The menu includes biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, juice and milk. The cost is $6 for adults and $5 for children who are younger than 10. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be available for $5. For more information, visit http://www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/event/breakfast-with-the-easter-bunny-2/.

KCK school board to meet April 11
The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St. Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, visit www.kckps.org.

Fairfax group to meet April 13
The Fairfax Industrial Association will meet for lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Neff Packaging, 555 Sunshine Road, Kansas City, Kansas. The cost of lunch is $15 for members or $20 for nonmembers. For more information or reservations, contact [email protected].

Blood drive scheduled April 14
Prairie View at Village West will hold a Red Cross blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 14, at 11200 Delaware Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Library to hold Heritage Festival April 15
The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library is holding a Wyandotte County Heritage Festival from noon to 3 p.m. April 15. Events will be held at the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St. This multi-generational event, designed for all ages, is in partnership with Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area and the Kansas Humanities Council. Children will enjoy a goat cart ride around the lawn, while the entire family visits with over a dozen local organizations that will entertain and educate them about Kansas and Wyandotte County’s rich history. At 2 p.m., Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society, will tell the story of Nicodemus, Kansas, the only remaining western community established by African-Americans during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/kansas-city-kansas-public-library-to-hold-wyandotte-county-heritage-festival/.

Blood drive scheduled April 17
The Chiropractic Healing Center, Harding and Associates, 8437 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, plans a Community Blood Service blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 17, in the parking lot. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Job fair planned April 26
The 2017 “Get Hired – Kansas City” Job Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the KCKCC Field House, 7250 State Ave. The job fair is free and open to the public, and about 1,000 individuals attended last year. Special accommodations for veterans and disabled will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The job fair is sponsored by the Entrepreneurship and Workforce Center at KCKCC. The job fair is free for those looking for employment. To register online, employers may visit the website link www.gethiredkansascity.eventbrite.com. Early bird pricing for booths is available until April 1. Regular pricing on all booth space ends April 15. For more information on the Job Fair, call 913-288-7644.

Blood drive scheduled April 29
The Joe E. Amayo Community Center, 2810 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Red Cross blood drive from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 29. For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Eric Jerome Dickey to appear in KCK
Kansas City, Kan., Public Library will be the host for popular urban fiction author Eric Jerome Dickey as part of the tour for his latest book “Finding Gideon.” The event will take place at 2:30 p.m. April 29 at the Reardon Convention Center at 5th and Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kan. Following a moderated question-and-answer session, Dickey will sign books. Books will be available for purchase and a limited number of free copies will be given away to the first to arrive. Doors will open at 1 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to register at ejdkckpl.eventbrite.com. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, though registration is required to attend. Doors will open an hour prior to the start of the event.

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 reopened and has events scheduled for March. A Pysanky Egg Decorating Class is scheduled March 26, and space is limited. 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. Grinter Place is closed until May. 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/.