Saturday events

Santa’s Express planned Dec. 8-9 at Ag Hall
Santa’s Express is planned on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9, at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. Children may get their photo taken with Santa Claus in the train depot, ride a train and view the Christmas on the farm decorations. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served, and there will be visits to Santa. There also is a 5K run and 1-mile reindeer walk on Dec. 8. For more information, visit http://www.aghalloffame.com/events/.

Grinter Place to begin Second Saturday series on Dec. 8
Grinter Place will sponsor its Second Saturday Speakers Series this winter, beginning Saturday, Dec. 8. The program will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and the topic will be “Coronado in Kansas” by Rudy Padilla. The historic Grinter House is at South 78th and K-32 in Kansas City, Kansas. In conjunction with the free program, there will be free doughnuts, coffee or juice. Each program will be about 35 minutes long. After the program, there will be the opportunity for questions and comments. Tours of the Grinter House also will be available, for an admission fee of $6 for adults and $3 for students. The Second Saturday Speaker Series will present educational programs about the history of Grinter House, the oldest home still standing in Wyandotte County, and the area. Grinter House closed for the winter on Oct. 13 and opens again on March 13. Regular hours from March 13 to Oct. 12 will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

KCKCC to hold Breakfast with Santa Saturday
Kansas City Kansas Community College Student Senate is holding the college’s annual Breakfast with Santa event this weekend. The event is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Lower Jewell Student Center on the KCKCC Main Campus, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The event is free for the entire family. While at KCKCC, each family will receive a free picture with Santa and be able to enjoy fun and interactive activities throughout the morning. The event will start with a parade of Santa’s helpers right before Santa makes his grand entrance. A few activities include – writing a letter to Santa at the KCKCC Lil’ Blue Post Office, cookie and ornament decorating, games, singing carols, Christmas card writing, a Lil’ Blue Christmas Store for the children to shop for their loved one, Inflatable Play Station for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Storytelling with Mrs. Claus and more. The event is free and open to everyone in the community. For more information about the Breakfast with Santa event, contact the Student Activities office at 913-288-7553 or 913-288-7652.

Blood drive planned Dec. 8
A Red Cross blood drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Cabela’s, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment or for more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Kids’ book sale planned
A Stocking Stuffer Kids’ Book Sale is planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota, Kansas City, Kansas. Used books for kids and teens will be for sale for $1 for hard cover books, 50 cents for used books or fill a bag for $5. “RU Dollars” from the summer reading program will be accepted. The book sale is in the second floor youth services craft room.

Winter paper craft program offered
A winter paper craft program will be offered from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library craft room, 625 Minnesota, Kansas City, Kansas. A variety of easy paper crafts including cut snowflakes, woven hearts and origami wreaths, stars and boxes can be worked on. The program is for ages 8 to 18. All materials and instructions will be provided. For more library events, visit www.kckpl.org.