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.

Sign up for library’s reading program
The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library’s summer reading program has started signing up readers. The program runs from June 1 to July 31. Participate at any of the five library branches. After signing up, participants may start logging books on June 1. For more information, visit the website at www.kckpl.org.

Addictions support group to meet
“All Addictions Group,” a free support group for women dealing with any kind of addiction, at any stage of recovery, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 or register online at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

Workshop concentrates on relationships
A workshop to improve relationships is planned from June 6 to July 25. The seven-week workshop will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. No meeting on July 4. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, the workshop for individuals, “Within My Reach,” will include activities and discussions about communication, problem solving, expectations and creating and maintaining a loving relationship. The workshop will be at Catholic Charities, Keeler Conference Office, 2220 Central Ave. Preregistration is required to 913-621-5775 or www.KansasLoveLetters.com.

Support group to meet June 9

The Kansas City, Kan., National Alliance on Mental Illness Support and Education Group will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 9, at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Fred Hahn will speak about Alzheimer’s disease. Special guest will be Rick Cagan, executive director of NAMI Kansas. The meetings are designed to bring together persons with questions about mental illness. For more information, call 913-299-8490.

Armourdale Optimist Club to meet June 10
The Armourdale Optimist Club will hold its bimonthly luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. June 10 at 1206 Osage Ave. in the Armourdale area of Kansas City, Kan. The speakers will be 2nd District Unified Government Commissioner Brian McKiernan and Bundy Jenkins. The luncheon cost is $7 per person. The meal consists of a full roast beef dinner, roasted asparagus, fresh veggie and fruit trays with dip. assorted soft drinks and desserts.

Free summer movies offered

The Legends 14 Theatres will present “Ramona and Beezus” rated G and “The Lorax” rated PG as free movies at 10 a.m. June 10, 11 and 12. Admission is free. All ages and groups are welcome. Doors open at 9 a.m. Seating is limited to availability. The current feature films are not included in the free admission, and the schedule is subject to change.

Police chief to speak at Women’s Chamber meeting

Ellen Hanson, Kansas City, Kan., interim chief of police, will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, June 11, at the meeting of the KCK Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Hanson is the retired chief of police of Lenexa, Kan., and interim chief in Kansas City, Kan. She will speak about her career and how she succeeded in a male-dominated field. The networking session is from 11:30 a.m. to noon followed by lunch and program from noon to 1 p.m. June 11 at Dave and Busters, The Legends Outlets, Village West. The cost for lunch is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. There will be a fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Guests are welcome, but reservations are required by emailing Barbara Newby at [email protected] or calling 913-485-1208 or Ardith Deason at [email protected] -telephone, 913-233-3305.

Anger management class offered
“Anger Management for Healthier Living” will be presented by Kirsten Stidham, Keeler intern, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Governor to speak at Fairfax meeting
Gov. Sam Brownback will be the guest speaker at the June 12 meeting of the Fairfax Industrial Association. The governor may speak between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. June 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Doors will open for the lunch event at 11 a.m. Serving will begin at 11:15 a.m. Those interested in attending may make reservations by 3 p.m. June 10 to Chuck Schlittler, executive director, at [email protected].

Rosedale group to meet
The Rosedale Development Association will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at 1401 Southwest Blvd. The guest speaker will be David Allen, energy specialist at the Board of Public Utilities, who will talk about ways to save energy and money. Reservations are requested. For information, call 913-677-5097.

Leavenworth Road Association kids’ fishing derby to be June 14
The Leavenworth Road Association kids’ fishing derby is planned from 8 to 10 a.m. June 14 at Wyandotte County Lake, 91st and Leavenworth Road. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Events are at the kids’ pond at the lake. Prizes and trophies will be awarded at 10:30 a.m. Prizes include two bicycles, passes to Schlitterbahn, tabletop grills, lawn chairs and gift cards. The event is free for all Wyandotte County youth ages 3-15. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/LRA/236528312965 or call 913-788-3988.

Father’s Day run June 14 benefits three charities

The Kevin Gray Father’s Day 5k run-walk on Saturday, June 14, at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., was created to honor the former KC Sports Commission president and father of four daughters, Kevin Gray. Gray died on June 15, 2011, from a rare form of cancer. The run-walk started in 2012. This run has three beneficiaries, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Kevin Gray Family Education Fund, and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. Online registration is open until June 11. Registration will still be accepted on Friday, June 13, at packet pickup and on race day. The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Sporting Park. To register go to SportKC.org.

Colyer to speak at health care summit June 14
A Health Care Solutions Summit is planned from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Painted Hills Golf Club, 7101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. Sponsored by Leavenworth and Wyandotte County Republican groups, the guest speaker for the luncheon will be Dr. Jeff Colyer, Kansas lieutenant governor. A panel will discuss health care issues. A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. and the program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost of the full program with lunch is $25. The requested donation without lunch is $2.

Mental Health First Aid Day planned
Kansas City’s first Mental Health First Aid Day is planned for Thursday, July 10. Six sites throughout metropolitan Kansas City, including one in Kansas City, Kan., are participating in the event. It is sponsored by the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers. The goal of the event is to teach mental health first aid and youth mental health first aid courses at no cost to more than 250 people. It would be the largest number of people to train at one time in the metropolitan area. In Kansas City, Kan., a class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10 at the Kansas City, Kan., Public School Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. Participants will learn what to do if an adult or child is experiencing a mental health crisis. The course teaches about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, gives confidence to reach out to people in need, and skills to respond to a mental health crisis. Participants will receive a manual and certificate upon successful completion of the course, and information about accessing local services. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Those who are interested in attending the course may contact Beth Yoder Stein at [email protected] or Mark Wiebe at [email protected].

Night Charity Golf Tournament planned
A Night Charity Golf Tournament is planned on Friday, July 18, at Painted Hills Golf Course, 7101 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. The event is sponsored by Greater Kansas City Civitan International and Civitan Club Dotte. It will benefit local charities. The cost of the event is $125 per person, which includes supplies, green fees, cart, dinner, awards reception, trophies and prizes. After June 18, registration fee is $150. Sponsorships are available. It is a four-person singles paired or scramble. Registration is at 5 p.m., followed by a shotgun start at 6 p.m. The Night Golf has a shotgun start at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 913-208-3533 or email [email protected].

Museum plans lock-in
An all-night lock-in is planned from 7 p.m. July 18 to 8 a.m. July 19 at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum, 126th and State. The event on July 18 is for girls ages 8 to 12. A safe night at the museum, tour, hands-on projects, evening snacks and a movie are planned. Boys will have a similar event on July 25. The cost is $25 per child. One adult must attend. Reservations are required. For information, call 913-573-5002.

Program offered on cropping systems
K-State Research and Extension is offering a workshop on “Low-till/No-till Cropping Systems” on July 21 in Kansas City, Mo. For more information, visit http://www.growinggrowers.org.

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.

UG Commission plans three meetings today

The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, to discuss Community Development Block Grants.

The meeting will be held at the fifth floor conference room, Suite 515, of City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan.

Another UG Commission special session is scheduled at 5:15 p.m. today in the ninth floor conference room at City Hall. It will be a closed, executive session on labor negotiations.

The regular UG Commission meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall.

The agenda for the 7 p.m. regular meeting includes:

– Hollywood Casino charitable grant funds disbursement, with grant awards totaling $492,929.14.
– Request from UG Commissioner Jim Walters that District 7 receive a full funding equal to other districts for Phase II CNIP (community neighborhood improvement projects) funds.
– Ordinance establishing a sanitary sewer buy-in connection fee to partially reimburse the UG for the design and construction cost of sanitary sewer utility improvements south of Leavenworth Road, 115th to 119th streets.
– Approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Board of Public Utilities regarding the operations, construction and maintenance of the traffic signal system.
– Approval of the 2014 capital expenditure program for CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
– Naming the athletic field at 9th and Parallel as Adrion Roberson Athletic Field.
– Appointment of Shafawn Morrison to the Landmarks Commission and reappointment of Eleanor Pitts to the Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
– Resolution adopting a compliance procedure related to securities and continuing disclosure matters for the UG.
– Approval to proceed with a request for proposals for a feasibility study for the development of convention space focusing on the I-435-western Wyandotte and Village West corridor.
– Approval of a short-term special use permit for PrideFest 2014 celebrating the diversity of Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) individuals in the cities of Kansas City, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., and surrounding communities. PrideFest would be from June 20-22 at 200 S. James St., Kansas City, Kan.
– Proclamation for Michael James Peterson Day.
More information is at www.wycokck.org.

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect

National Weather Service graphic

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect from 8:05 a.m. until 2 p.m. June 5 in Wyandotte County.

A cluster of severe storms will continue to move eastward across Kansas this morning, the National Weather Service said.

The strongest activity will continue east and take a southeastern turn as it reaches eastern Kansas with the highest risk for severe storms along a line from Paola to Clinton. The main risk will be damaging winds.

This storm has a risk of heavy rain and brief gusty winds. The storm is expected to be at its strongest in the morning on Thursday. Today’s high will be 77 degrees.

Additional thunderstorms are possible Thursday night, Friday and Friday night as well as on Saturday, according to the weather service. All the activity could become strong and produce heavy rain and additional flooding across much of the area.

Additional rainfall through this weekend may top 2 to 4 inches across the local area. This heavy rainfall, on top of already saturated grounds, could lead to additional flooding into early next week.

Hail risk (National Weather Service graphic)

Wind risk (National Weather Service graphic)

Rain potential through Saturday (National Weather Service graphic)