Category: Communities

Get ready for barbecue

by Lori Wuellner

Spring has sprung.  It’s time to clean up the grill and get it ready for another season of tasty meals.

In addition to “spring cleaning” the grill, do a double check on your food thermometer.  Make sure first that you have one and next that it is accurate.  Test your thermometer by placing it in a cup of ice and water. If it reads 32 degree F. you are good to go, but if not either adjust it or get yourself a new one.

Using a food thermometer takes the guess work out of determining when grilled meats are cooked properly and safe to eat. Here is what is important to know when grilling:

• Hamburgers and other ground beef, pork, veal and lamb should reach an internal temperature of 160°F
• Hamburgers and other ground beef, pork, veal and lamb should reach an internal temperature of 160°F
• Whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb and veal should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F
• Cook all poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F
• Pre-cooked and processed meats like hot dogs to 165°F
• Fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F

Color is not a reliable measure of doneness. When checking the internal temperature of grilled meat always check in the thickest part of the product.

Check for proper internal temperatures in at least two locations on the food to ensure even cooking occurred. When removing cooked meat from the grill, make sure to place it on a clean plate, not the same one used for the raw food prior to cooking. The juices from the raw meat can spread bacteria to safely cooked food.
Always use a food thermometer when preparing or grilling food.  Practicing safe food handling helps ensure that you are doing what you can to keep yourself and others healthy while minimizing the risks of a foodborne illness.  More information on food safety can be found at www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety/

For more information on nutrition contact the Wyandotte County Extension office at 299-9300 or email at lwuellne@ksu.edu. 
The following recipe from Fruits and Veggie More Matters would make an excellent, nutrient rich side dish.  Pair it with grilled chicken, pork or fish for a tasty meal.
(Source:  Is It Done Yet?  USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services; Grill Master, Fight BAC; Gayle Price, M.S., RDN, LD, Extension Specialist, KSRE)

Southwestern Coleslaw
Ingredients
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. dry leaf oregano
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 4 tsp. vegetable oil
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 to 1 medium jalapeno seeded and chopped
• 4 cups finely shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• 1 cup thin strips of red bell pepper OR canned roasted red peppers
• 1 cup cooked yellow corn
Directions
Combine in a small bowl all salad dressing ingredients and mix well. In a large bowl, mix shredded cabbage, onion, red pepper and corn. Add salad dressing and toss well. Cover and chill for about 1 hour prior to serving.
Each serving provides:  An excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of vitamin A, folate and fiber.
Nutritional Information…Calories 76, carbohydrates 12g, total fat 3.1g, cholesterol 0mg, dietary fiber 3g, sodium 207mg, protein 2g.
(Source: Recipe courtesy of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH). This recipe meets PBH and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) standards that maintain fruits and vegetables as healthy foods.)

 

Parents urged to clean out old medications at home on April 26

Every parent wants to think his child is perfect, but some youth struggle with drug abuse, sometimes unknown to their parents, said Andrica Wilcoxen, Kansas City Kansas Community College prevention coordinator.

That’s why she’s trying to reach parents who are ages 30 to 40 years old with the message to clean out old medications in their cabinets and take them to Prescription Drug Takeback Day dropoff points.

The eighth annual Prescription Drug Takeback Day is Saturday, April 26, at locations throughout Kansas City, Kan., and the state of Kansas.

Wilcoxen said if a parent never looks into the cabinet to inventory leftover medications, it allows youths to go in there, and take one pill at a time. Some of this old medication could end up at a party at a friend’s house, where youth may be taking unknown drugs, she said.

“These kids are dying because of it,” Wilcoxen said.

Since the KCKCC prevention program got involved with Prescription Drug Takeback Day, participation has increased greatly, she said.

Senior citizens are really good about participating in the program, and now it’s the younger families that she would like to reach with the message that their kids are at risk, she said.

The Prescription Drug Takeback Day has the cooperation of area and state law enforcement, and also has several local sponsors.

In the Kansas Senate, Sen. David Haley of Kansas City, Kan., has sponsored a resolution supporting Prescription Drug Takeback Day, recognizing the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs and urging residents to participate in Prescription Drug Takeback Day.

Dropoff sites are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 for safe disposal of unused or expired medications. There is no charge and no questions are asked.

Locations of the dropoff sites in Wyandotte County:

DeGoler Pharmacy, four locations, 5701 State Ave., 21 N. 12th St. and 2040 Hutton Road, Kansas City, Kan.; and 202 Oak St., Bonner Springs.
Price Chopper, 501 Commercial Drive, Bonner Springs.
Hen House, 8120 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.
Walgreens, 2850 State Ave., and 7739 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
Bond Pharmacy, 3017 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
CVS Pharmacy, 4645 Shawnee, and 4300 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.

Mid-Life Players presents ‘Cats’ in concert April 25- 26, May 1-2 at Alcott

The Mid-Life Players, a local nonprofit musical theater group, will present a concertized performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber favorite, “Cats,” this Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, and next weekend, May 2 and 3, at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., in Kansas City, Kan.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for each performance. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased through brownpapertickets.com

Mid-Life Players was created by is a group of four friends, Ruth Baum Bigus, Catherine Boone, Curt Knupp and Dan Prather, all singers and actors who love to perform. This quartet enjoys the sheer joy of singing and entertaining an audience, so they decided it would be fun for others in “their age” group, too.

The group provides an outlet for singers and actors age 35 and older. Mid-Life Players produces “concert style” musicals and musical reviews incorporating blind casting when appropriate or needed. Auditions are help prior to productions and a limited rehearsal schedule is held for each show. Productions use minimal costuming, make-up and sets – just enough to enhance the audience experience. Mid-Life Players is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization.

“As Mid-Life Players, we relish the opportunity to perform works that are not often done in the community and take on roles that we would not likely be selected for at this ‘stage’ of our lives,” Boone said.

Mid-Life performers come from all walks of life. The current production of “Cats” is directed by Dan Prather and Curt Knupp with Julie Fox as assistant director and Becky Clark as music director.
Past productions include “Into the Woods,” “Rent,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Company.” Mid-Life Players is guided by a board of directors and an advisory board that are dedicated to the mission of the group.

For more information about Mid-Life Players visit https://www.facebook.com/midlifeplayers.

Mid-Life Players “Cats” cast (some roles are double-cast):
Bill Bergman – as Skimbleshanks; Grandview, Mo.
Chad Burris – as Mungojerrie; Independence, Mo.
Curt Knupp – as Munkustrap; Kansas City, Mo.
Dan Prather – as Rum Tum Tugger; Kansas City, Mo.
Debra Skodack Burnes – as Cassandra; Westwood, Kan.
Dee Green – as Grizabella; Kansas City, Mo.
Diana Leonard – as Jellylorum; Raytown, Mo.
Dottie Bartlett – as Demeter; Overland Park, Kan.
Ed Leonard – as Gus; Raytown, Mo.
Gary Barber – as Skimbleshanks; Edwardsville, Kan.
Georgia Schmittling – as Jemima; Raymore, Mo.
Janet Shelman – as Jemima; Blue Springs, Mo.
Joe Bartlett – as Bustopher Jones, Mistoffolees; Independence, Mo.
John Vandevort – as Deuteronomy; Shawnee, Kan.
Joy Richardson –aas Bombalurina; Kansas City, Kan.
Julie Fox – as Bombalurina; Olathe, Kan.
Julie McDaniel – as Grizabella; Oak Grove, Mo.
Kate Elcock – as Ecetera; Olathe, Kan.
Ken Kasten – as Gus; Overland Park, Kan.
Kristine Norvaishas – as Tantomile; Cleveland, Mo.
Linda Wetzel – as Jennyanydots; Olathe, Kan.
Patty Moore Armstrong – as Jennyanydots; Lenexa, Kan.
Rebecca Shaw Stabno – as Rumpleteazer; Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Richie  Johnson – as Rum Tum Tugger; Kansas City, Mo.
Robert Ritter – as Bustopher Jones, Mistoffolees; Liberty, Mo.
Scott Powell – as Deuteronomy; Kansas City, Mo.
Thomas Anderson – as Munkustrap.