Adopt-A-Spot program to launch on Saturday in Wyandotte County

The cities of Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs and Edwardsville are teaming up to make Wyandotte County litter free through a grassroots, citizen based program called Adopt-A-Spot.

The event will officially launch at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, with Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor David Alvey, Bonner Springs Mayor Jeff Harrington and Edwardsville Mayor John McTaggart joining for the event at Leo Alvey Park, Metropolitan Avenue and 49th Street South in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Adopt-A-Spot program is voluntary and designed for civic-minded groups, businesses, and organizations with an interest in keeping Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, and Kansas City, Kansas litter-free.

The Adopt-A-Spot program is open to families, youth organizations, civic groups, non-profits, churches, schools, social organizations, retiree organizations, and city, county, or state agencies.

Adopt-A-Spot is part of the 5-year Stabilization, Occupation, and Revitalization (SOAR) plan to confront some of Wyandotte County’s most pervasive challenges in the appearance, communication, and safety of neighborhoods.

“Adopt-A-Spot WyCo is a great way for community members to help beautify parks, portions of streets, and Land Bank properties, and be recognized for their hard work,” said Logan Masenthin, SOAR program coordinator.

In recognition of their hard work, program sponsors will receive an on-site Adopt-A-Spot sign with their organization, business, or group name printed on it after performing at least three cleanup events during a two-year period.

Adopt-A-Spot WyCo is open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis.

At this time the following areas are available for adoption:

• KCK Parks – 25

• KCK Streets – 13

• KCK Land Bank Lots – 66

• Edwardsville spots – 3 streets, 1 park

• Bonner Springs spots – 7 parks, 4 trails, 4 park shelters

The program is accepting location reservations now.

To learn more and check out the list of adoptable spots, visit the Adopt-A-Spot WyCo page at www.wycokck.org/SOAR/Adopt.

– News release from Edwin Birch, Unified Government public information officer

Community calendar

Class offered on ‘Raising Safe Kids’
The ACT Raising Safe Kids Program will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The presenter will be Heather Neds. The topic on Sept. 23 will be “Understanding and Helping Angry Children.” The topic on Sept. 30 will be “Children and Electronic Media.” For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.


UG committees to meet Sept. 23
Unified Government committees will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the fifth floor meeting room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The Public Works and Safety Committee will meet at 5 p.m., followed by the Administration and Human Services Committee. Agendas are online at www.wycokck.org.

Program offered on healthy relationships
“Healthy Relationships: Domestic Violence Education and Support” will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. The group is facilitated by Jaime Peterson. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, offers programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: con lideres Ana Maria Sauer, Los Martes, 10-11:30 a.m. Grupo de salud emocional para la mujer, ofrecido por MOCSA, contacte a Tina May-Gamboa, Gaby Carmona, llame al 816-285-1349, los Martes, 11:30-1 p.m. Clase de Nutricion con Gabriela Wagner de KSU, 8 sessiones, Empezando los todos los Jueves en Sept. 12 a Oct. 31, 10 – 11 a.m.; Clase para Padres “Conociendo a Mis Hijos” con Gloria Mendiburu, 10 sesiones, Jueves, 1 – 2:30 p,m,, 3 de octubre – Mi familia es mi prioridad? 10 de octubre – Porque hago lo que hago (genograma), 17 de octubre – Adolesencia. 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.

Philosophy group to meet
A philosophy group will discuss “Present-Day Thoughts on the Quality of Life,” by Jacques Barzun at noon Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs. The 1969 essay is available at the circulation desk of the library. For more information, visit https://bonnerlibrary.org/philosophy-group/.

Program offered on ‘Herbs and Microgreens’
A program on “Herbs and Microgreens” will be facilitated by Pat Callaghan from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

KCKCC to hold Board of Trustee candidate forum Sept. 24
Kansas City Kansas Community College is holding a KCKCC Board of Trustee Candidate Forum from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Upper Jewell on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave. The event is open to the public. The general election is Nov. 5. Candidates on the ballot are Don Ash (incumbent), Rosalyn Brown (incumbent), Patricia Brune, Ray Daniels (incumbent), Jammie Johnson and Paul Jones. Four at-large positions are open and terms are for four years. Each candidate will be given three minutes for an introductory statement regarding who they are and why they want to be a KCKCC Board of Trustees member. Following the candidate introductions, those attending will have the opportunity to visit with each individual candidate to ask questions and learn more about their vision for KCKCC and their motivation for seeking election.

Parenting support group to meet
A parenting support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. The education and support group is presented by Marqueia Watson, MSW. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Knitting and crocheting group to meet
A knitting and crocheting group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending may learn a new skill or work on a current project. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Blood drive scheduled Sept. 25 at KCKCC
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Room 2325, Jewell Center, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. To see other blood drives in the area or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled Sept. 25 at Bonner YMCA
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Bonner Springs YMCA, 2251 S. 138th St., Bonner Springs, in Classroom A. To see other blood drives in the area or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

WATCHDOGS program to begin Sept. 25 at Grant Elementary
The WATCHDOGS program will kick off the year from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Grant Elementary School, 1510 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The event includes a Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night to launch the WATCHDOGS (Dads of Great Students) program. The program encourages fathers to be active in their students’ education. Moses Wyatt Jr. is working with the WATCHDOGS at Grant Elementary School. The program has a website at dadsofgreatstudents.com.

Open houses planned on stormwater fee changes in KCK
An open house on changes to stormwater fees in Kansas City, Kansas, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 4953 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Three other open houses also are planned on changes in the stormwater fees in Kansas City, Kansas. The Unified Government is continuing to study the change to the stormwater fee, and is seeking public comments. The current stormwater fee structure is to charge $4.50 per month to all users, without regard to the size of the property. The proposed stormwater fee charged more for larger properties. The new fee does not change the $4.50 monthly fee for the majority of residential property owners in Kansas City, Kansas, during the first year of the fee. The new fees are based on the size of hard surfaces on the property, which generates runoff. The other open house dates include Oct. 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Patricia “Diane” Kane Community Center, 3130 N.122nd; Oct. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Joe E. Amayo Argentine Community Center, 2810 Metropolitan; Nov. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Beatrice L. Lee Community Center, 1310 N. 10th St. For more information, see https://www.wycokck.org/Stormwater/Rate.aspx.

‘Pretty Nails’ program offered
Appointments for a “Pretty Nails” program will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. Those interested must call 913-906-8990 to schedule an appointment.

Conversational Spanish class offered
Conversational Spanish, an entry-level class, will be offered at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Bonner Springs City Library, 201 N. Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs. Participants will learn basic words and learn to introduce themselves. No prior knowledge of the language is required. For more information, visit https://bonnerlibrary.org/conversational-spanish-for-adults/

UG Commission to meet Sept. 26

The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. A special session is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the fifth floor conference room, City Hall, on a Wyandot Behavioral Health update and a Board of Health update. An agenda should be posted at www.wycokck.org.

Blood drive scheduled Sept. 27 at Sumner Academy
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Sumner Academy, in the new gym, 1610 N. 8th St., Kansas City, Kansas. To see other blood drives in the area or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Blood drive scheduled Sept. 27 at Providence
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Providence Medical Center, auditorium rooms, 8929 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. To see other blood drives in the area or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Red Cross blood drive scheduled Sept. 27 at Argentine Community Center
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Joe E. Amayo Argentine Community Center, 2940 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment for the Red Cross blood drives, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

PiperFest planned Sept. 28
Preparations are underway for the annual PiperFest, a community festival from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The annual event will raise funds for the Piper Public School District 203, according to Sean Ziolo, who is volunteering with the festival’s car show. Highlights of the event will include a pancake breakfast, run-walk, auction, car show, carnival, alumni softball game, bingo, concessions and food trucks. For more information, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/annual-piperfest-to-be-sept-28/, www.piperfest.com or https://www.facebook.com/pipercarshow/.

Hispanic Heritage Festival planned Sept. 28
A Hispanic Heritage Festival will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Bonner Springs Farmers’ Market at Kelly Murphy Park, 129 Elm St., Bonner Springs. This year’s festival, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, highlights contributions made by the Latino community. The festival will include music, dancers, a clown, bounce houses, food and games.

Library in the Park to be Sept. 28
The fifth annual Library in the Park festival will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Big Eleven Lake, 11th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. The festival is free and includes activities for all ages. This year’s special guest is Christine Taylor-Butler, an award winning author of children’s fiction and nonfiction. Free copies of her book, “The Lost Tribes,” will be given away, while supplies last. She will sign copies of her books and conduct two science experiments with children. There will be performances from local groups Drum Safari, The Cubanisms, and The Freedom Affair. Drum Safari will also host three drum circles during the event. Other activities will include Blind Date with a Movie, Music Sampling, Book Fortune Teller, the Yearbook Project, bubbles, face-painting, a photo booth, and lawn games. Attendees will also get to visit the Mobile Library to sign up for a card and check out items. Library in the Park will include a return of the taco competition with local taquerias Carniceria la Luz, San Antonio’s, Daisy’s Mexican Food, and Eduardo’s Pueblito. Attendees will get a chance to sample tacos from all four locations and vote on which taco is the best. The tacos will be provided by KCKPL at no cost to attendees. Attendees will get a chance to sample tacos from all four locations and vote on which taco is the best. The tacos will be provided by KCKPL at no cost to attendees. For more information on Library in the Park and a full schedule of events, visit libraryinthepark.org.

Renaissance Festival continues
The Renaissance Festival will continue from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29, at 130th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. Tickets are $22.95 for adults and $13.95 for children 5 to 12 years old. For more information, visit www.kcrenfest.com.

Slovenefest planned Sept. 28
Volunteers from Holy Family Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kansas, are preparing for the annual Slovenefest, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Monsignor Mejak Hall and Holy Family School grounds, 513 Ohio. The event will include a traditional Slovenian dinner, music and family entertainment. The funds raised will support Holy Family Church. The festival begins after the 4 p.m. Mass on Sept. 28 at Holy Family Church, 274 Orchard St., Kansas City, Kansas. The festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 28 includes children’s and adult games, cultural booth, souvenirs, a silent auction, authentic Slovenian food including sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), poljene paprika (stuffed peppers), krvavica (a specialty sausage), Slovenian potato salad and green beans. Tamburitza music from Hravatski Obicaj is featured from 5 to 6 p.m., and Slovenian polkas by the Brian McCarty Band are planned from 6 to 9 p.m.

Caregivers support group to meet
A caregivers support group for men and women will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Women’s self-defense program offered
A women’s self-defense program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. The program is facilitated by Sidney Thompson. Kansas City Shizoku Karate-Do will teach ways to defend oneself and others. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Women’s writers workshop offered
A women’s writers workshop will be offered from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Suite 100B, Kansas City, Kansas. The workshop is facilitated by Pat Callaghan and Liz Birky. At the workshop, women may explore who they are and why life has meaning, then write this into a story. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Candidate event to be Oct. 12
Residents may meet candidates at an event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at Klamm Park, Cleveland Avenue and North 22nd Street, Kansas City, Kansas. The candidate event is sponsored by Wyandotte County candidates. Candidates for the Board of Public Utilities, KCKCC Board of Trustees, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools board and county register of deeds may attend. There will be a voter registration drive.

Candidate forum to be Oct. 14-15
A candidate forum will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, and Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The forum is sponsored by Business West and other neighborhood associations, KCKCC and the Wyandotte Daily Online. The forum will be in the upper Jewell building at KCKCC, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Candidates for the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education (District 500) and the KCKCC Board of Trustees will be at the Monday, Oct. 14, forum. Candidates for the Board of Public Utilities, Register of Deeds and Unified Government will be at the Tuesday, Oct. 15, forum. The forums are not debates. Candidates will have two minutes to make introductory remarks, then panelists will ask them questions. Then candidates will have one minute to make a closing remark. The forum will be taped and replayed on the KCKCC public access channel, including on cable television and on YouTube.

Prenatal class offered Oct. 15
A three-part prenatal class will be offered from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. On Oct. 15, the topic will be “Pregnancy Overview – Pregnancy Health.” On Nov. 5, the topic will be “Labor and Delivery – Infant Feeding.” On Nov. 19, the topic will be “Infant Care – Postpartum Health.” The class is facilitated by Veronica Kariuki. Those who attend all sessions may earn diapers, car seats, monitors and strollers. For more information or to register, call 913-906-8990.

Candidate forum planned Oct. 19
A candidate forum is planned on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Family Life Center of Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. There will be two sessions, one at 10 a.m. and one at 3 p.m. The first session will be a program with state representatives, and the second session will be a program with candidates. The event is free and open to the public. The forum is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mu Omega Chapter, in conjunction with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, Johnson County Chapter, Kansas City, Kansas, Chapter of NAACP, Johnson County Chapter of NAACP and Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, Civic Action Committee. A brief audience question-and-answer session, voter education information and time for refreshments is planned. According to a spokesman, the purpose of the forum is to give Kansas residents the opportunity to meet, greet, engage and hear from their current state representatives as well as candidates running for public office in the Nov. 5 general election. In the morning session, from 10 a.m. to noon, panelists who will participate include State Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore, D-36th Dist., and State Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist. The afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. will include panelists Melissa Brune Bynum, incumbent candidate for Unified Government Commission, 1st District at large; David Haley, candidate for Board of Public Utilities, at large position 3; Rose Mulvany Henry, candidate for BPU, at large position 3; Robert Milan, incumbent candidate for BPU, 1st District; LaRon Thompson, candidate for BPU, 1st District; and Jeff Bryant, incumbent candidate for BPU, 3rd District.

Wyandotte County Museum
For information about the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, call 913-573-5002 or visit https://www.wycokck.org/wycomuseum.aspx or 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, Kansas, 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, Kansas. For more information about the museum, call 816-820-3615 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ccoqmuseum/.

KCK parks and recreation programs
To see a brochure listening Kansas City, Kansas, Parks and Recreation programs, visit
https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Parks-Recreation/Documents/WYCOGuide_FINAL_Small.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1SYe9fdtg8G8vXPY3JuRnrBUHZXs6amoG2lWgpl_8n-J4DwIbQ3JWlkLE .


Send your Wyandotte County events to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and contact information.

Hispanic Heritage Festival planned Sept. 28

A Hispanic Heritage Festival will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Bonner Springs Farmers’ Market at Kelly Murphy Park, 129 Elm St., Bonner Springs.

This year’s festival, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, highlights contributions made by the Latino community.

The festival will include music, dancers, a clown, bounce houses, food and games.