Category: Events

Mayor’s Food Summit sets goal to make healthy choices the easy choice

Mayor Mark Holland will be the host of the 2014 Wyandotte County Mayor’s Food Summit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center, at 6565 State Ave, Kansas City, Kan.

The summit is sponsored by the Wyandotte Health Foundation.

“Our community needs to continue to rally around the cause of health improvement,” Holland said, citing statistics released this month that rated Wyandotte as having some of the worst health outcomes in the state.

“Increased access to healthy food should be one of our rallying cries,” he said. “We conducted a recent survey of Wyandotte County residents that confirmed this is a major felt need. The summit will give cross-sector leaders the tools to meet this need.”

A joint effort of the mayor and the Healthy Communities Wyandotte Coalition, the Food Summit seeks to bring together elected officials, education, business and community leaders and give them the information and resources they need to take action in their communities to increase accessibility to good food.

“Healthy Communities Wyandotte has been working on this issue for over four years; now we want to expand the circle of concern,” he said. “Leaders everywhere can and should take an interest in healthy eating.”

The Food Summit  arose from a transparent community planning process held from 2009 to 2011 that involved hundreds of residents, area experts and public officials, the results of which were compiled in a document titled “Recommendations for a Better Future.”

The recommendations included strategies for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and in fact, the Food Summit is the kick-off for a three-year plan to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among Wyandotte County residents. Holland and others who are the hosts of the Food Summit acknowledge that changing individual behavior is an important component of improving diet, and in order for change to stick, the healthy choice needs to be the easy choice.

Following welcoming remarks by Holland, the Food Summit will feature a keynote address from Dr. Oran Hesterman, a national leader in sustainable agriculture and food systems, and author of “Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All.” The Food Summit will also feature Dr. Judd Allen, president of the Human Resources Institute and a national expert on creating supportive cultures for healthy living.

The summit will include the following four breakout sessions featuring speakers, facilitators and panelists from community organizations:
•         Nutritious Food in Schools
•         Ensuring Healthy Food Access for Low-Income Households
•         Transforming Organizational Culture for Health
•         Increasing Physical Access to Healthy Food in Wyandotte County
Lunch will be provided by the Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Culinary Arts Program, led by Chef Cheryl Runnebaum.
To register for the event, visit 2014foodsummit.eventbrite.com.

Saturday events

YMCA to hold Healthy Kids Day on Saturday
The Bonner Springs YMCA will hold Healthy Kids Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26. Activities will include a Mini Mudder obstacle course, face painting and a “build your own trail mix” station. Giveaways are planned. The event is free to members and community participants. The Bonner Springs YMCA is at 2251 S. 138th St., Bonner Springs. Other YMCAs in the area also are offering Healthy Kids Day activities. They include 8th Street Family YMCA, at 900 N. 8th St., Kansas City, Kan., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26; and Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center, at 8601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26. The 8th Street Family YMCA is planning free activities for kids. The Providence YMCA has scheduled activities for kids, 4-H animals, science experiments, YMCA community garden, playground activities, mascot visits, kids Zumba, and face painting. For more information, call the Bonner Springs YMCA at 913-422-9348 or visit KansasCityYMCA.org.

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

String art workshop planned
A string art workshop for children 5 and above is planned from 2 to 3 p.m. April 26 at the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan. It is free and open to the public. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. There is limited space; grops are asked not to attend.

‘Cats’ music to be performed by Mid-Life Players
The Mid-Life Players, a local nonprofit musical theater group, will present a concertized performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber favorite, “Cats,” this Saturday and Sunday, 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.

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.
Community orchestra to perform concert and hold fundraiser
The KCK Community Orchestra will hold a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. A silent auction also is planned with gift certificates and other items.

UG Commission to meet April 24
The Unified Government Commission will meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 24 at the Commission Chambers, City Hall, 701 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kan. The topic of the 5 p.m. meeting is a discussion of public safety overtime pay and out-of-class pay. An agenda is posted online at www.wycokck.org.

YMCA to hold Healthy Kids Day on Saturday
The Bonner Springs YMCA will hold Healthy Kids Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26. Activities will include a Mini Mudder obstacle course, face painting and a “build your own trail mix” station. Giveaways are planned. The event is free to members and community participants. The Bonner Springs YMCA is at 2251 S. 138th St., Bonner Springs. Other YMCAs in the area also are offering Healthy Kids Day activities. They include 8th Street Family YMCA, at 900 N. 8th St., Kansas City, Kan., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26; and Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center, at 8601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26. The 8th Street Family YMCA is planning free activities for kids. The Providence YMCA has scheduled activities for kids, 4-H animals, science experiments, YMCA community garden, playground activities, mascot visits, kids Zumba, and face painting. For more information, call the Bonner Springs YMCA at 913-422-9348 or visit KansasCityYMCA.org.

Bonner to hold soccer tourney April 27 for Special Olympics
Bonner Springs High School is holding a Kansas Unified Soccer League Championship tournament Sunday, April 27, for Special Olympics soccer teams. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 at David Jaynes Stadium in Bonner Springs. Opening ceremonies will start at 10:45 a.m. A special guest at the event will be a Sporting Kansas City player.

Country classics music concert planned April 27
Local musician Fred Uzell, along with fellow musicians Jim Winters, Donna Hensley and Kevin Blom will perform a Country Classics concert from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the George Meyn Community Center, inside Wyandotte County Park, Bonner Springs. Tickets are available for $15 prior to the show and $20 on the day of the show. The concert will pay tribute to country music greats Hank Williams Sr., Merle Haggard and George Jones. Proceeds will benefit PACES, Wyandotte County’s mental health services for young people who face behavioral and emotional challenges. Doors to George Meyn Center, at 126th and State Avenue, will open at 1 p.m. Concessions will be available for sale at the event. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Melissa Bynum at 913-638-8589 or email, [email protected].

Local author to speak April 29
Local author Ruth Campos will give a talk at 6 p.m. April 29 at the South Branch of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan. She will speak on “My Journey in Faith,” her new book. Campos has roots in the Argentine community of Kansas City, Kan., and is a former teacher at Sumner Academy. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

GOP to meet April 29
The Wyandotte County GOP will hold a town hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Frontier Steakhouse, 94th and State Avenue. The guest speakers will be Brandon Kenig, chairman of the Kansas Young Republicans, and Patricia Stoneking, president of the Kansas State Rifle Association. Those planning to order dinner should arrive early.

Mayor’s Food Summit planned May 1
The Wyandotte County Mayor’s Food Summit is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 1 at the KCKCC-TEC, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The host will be Healthy Communities Wyandotte with participation from more than 20 organizations. Local leaders will learn about changes they can make to increase access to healthy food. For more information or to sign up, visit http://vimeo.com/foodsummit.

AYS plans annual fundraiser May 2
Associated Youth Services will hold a Stack the Decks Casino Night 2014 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Overland Park Marriott. The annual casino-night fundraiser supports the nonprofit’s five programs aimed at filling in the missing pieces for struggling youth. Tickets are $80 and can be obtained at AYS’ secure website – www.aysusa.org/stackthedecks, or by contacting AYS resource development specialist, Maggie McKinley at 913-831-2820, Ext 224.

Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners annual plant sale to be May 2-3
The annual plant sale of the Wyandotte County Master Gardeners will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 2, and 9 a.m. to noon (or as long as inventory is left) Saturday, May 3, at the Wildcat Room, Wyandotte County Extension office, 1200 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kan. The Wyandotte County Master Gardeners will offer tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, herbs, and other vegetable and fruit plants started by the members, and collections of perennials, annuals, Kansas native wildflowers and ornamental grasses. New to the sale this year will be succulent plants, gently used books and gardening supplies. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help with selections and answer gardening questions. For information, call 913-299-9300.

Polski Day celebrated planned May 3
The 30th annual Polski Day celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at All Saints Parish, 8th and Vermont Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., at the St. Joseph Church site. The festival features live music, dancing and ethnic food. A parade starts at 11 a.m. at 12th and Central, proceeding to 8th. Live music by Don Lipovac will be from noon to 7 p.m. indoors. Outside, the Ed Grisnik Band will play from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sheelytown Band will play from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A polka Mass will be held at 4 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo parade planned May 3
The seventh annual downtown Cinco de Mayo parade is planned at 11 a.m. May 3 in Kansas City, Kan. The parade starts at 6th and Minnesota and ends on 12th Street, where a festival will take place. The event is sponsored by Bonito Michoacan market.

KCKCC vocal music spring concert planned May 4
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Choir Program is preparing for one of its final concerts of the semester. The KCKCC Spring Choral Concert is at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. The concert is free and open to the public. The concert will feature the Chamber Choir, which will be performing selections from British composer Paul Mealor. This includes the song cycle: “Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal.” In addition, the concert will feature selections from the High Lonesome Mass, sung by the Community Chamber Choir. This piece will include a bluegrass ensemble along with the choir. It is a mixture of American Folk hymns and the Catholic Mass. For more information on the choral program at KCKCC, contact John Stafford at [email protected] or call 913-288-7137.

Class offered on discipline
“Discipline without Screaming or Scolding,” a two-part program, will be presented on two Wednesdays, May 7 and 14, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan.  To register for the free program, call 913-906-8990. Only a limited number of child care spaces are available; those interested in child care must request it in advance.

Tourism celebration luncheon to be May 7
The Kansas City Kan., Convention and Visitors Bureau will sponsor a Tourism Celebration Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Reardon Convention Center,  500 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Tickets are $35 per person. For reservations, call 913-321-5800 or email [email protected].

Fairfax Industrial Association to meet
The Fairfax Industrial Association will meet at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, May, 8, at the Board of Public Utilities offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For reservations, email  Chuck Schlittler at [email protected] by May 5.

Program covers post-harvest handling
A program for gardeners and those who raise food on “Post-Harvest Handling” will take place on May 12 in Kansas City, Kan. The program is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension. For more information, visit www.growinggrocers.org.

Book club to meet
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will serve as host of a monthly book club for women that meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The book for May 13 is “The Bird Sisters” by Rebecca Rasmussen. Call 913-906-8990 to register. A limited number of books are available for participants.

Free bike rodeo May 17 to provide bike helmets for kids
The free KCK Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo returns Saturday, May 17, to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, 9400 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Elementary-aged kids will have the opportunity to learn tips on cycling safety, participate in interactive activities that promote health and safety and to sneak a peek at attractions at Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark at the eighth annual bike event. Hours are from 9 a.m. to noon May 17. The event sponsors plan to distribute up to 300 free bike safety helmets and T-shirts to participants. Activities will take place in the parking lot and entrance area of Schlitterbahn, and a large turnout is anticipated. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Kids are encouraged to bring their bicycles. Helmets will be fitted, bikes will be inspected for safety, and kids may visit bike riding stations to earn a safety certificate. Those with questions on the day of the event may call 816-751-4227.

Time management class offered
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Avenue, KCK, will present a workshop, “Time Management for Women,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, May 19, presented by Chiquita Miller of K-State Extension. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

African-American Art Festival planned Aug. 9
The MoKan African-American Art Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Quindaro Park, 35th and Sewell, Kansas City, Kan. Those attending the free event may bring a blanket, enjoy artwork, stilt walkers Gullah basket weathers, African drummers and dancers, food and vendors. For more information about having an art exhibit there or being a vendor, contact 913-788-7330.