Community calendar

The Wyandotte Daily News is interested in news of your community event in Wyandotte County. Send information to [email protected] or [email protected] and include your name and phone number. Please send in planned events about a week before the event if possible. In the event of inclement weather, call the sponsoring organization to see if the event will be held.

Program offered to help work through fears after childbirth
A program for parents and professionals about working through fears of harm to newborns will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Just before birth or immediately following the birth of a child, parents sometimes have fears that some type of harm may come to their child. This program, “Fearing Harm Will Happen to Your Baby: Perinatal and Postpartum OCD,” will be offered to help them work through these fears. The program is presented by Shanda Curiel, psychologist and assistant professor. Registration is required to 913-906-8990.

Support group offered for caregivers
A support group for men and women who are caregivers will be offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The support group is every Tuesday. The facilitator is Jackie Tigges, LSCSW. For more information, call 913-906-8990.

Programs offered for Spanish-speaking women
Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan.,offers these programs for Spanish-speaking women: Grupo de mujeres: con lideres Mary Ellen Rodriguez y Ana Maria Sauer, los martes, 16 and 23 de febrero, 10 -11 a.m.; Clase de nutrición, Jueves, 18 de febrero, 10-11 a.m., Presentado por Teresa Moreno de programa de Kansas State Extension. For more information, call 913-906-8990.

Storm spotter training offered
A storm spotter training and severe weather seminar will be offered from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The seminar is offered by the Wyandotte County Emergency Management office and will feature a meteorologist from the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, Mo. The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information on the program, contact Matt May, Wyandotte County emergency management director, at 913-573-6300.

Group meeting planned for those living with loss and grief
A support group for those living with loss and grief will meet from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Keeler Women’s Service, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The support group is intended to help healing after the loss of a loved one. The group will meet for five Wednesday afternoons. For more information, call 913-906-8990.

BPU scheduled to meet Feb. 17
The Board of Public Utilities is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the BPU administrative offices, 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
The work session begins at 5 p.m. On the agenda for the work session is a presentation on cyber security awareness. On the agenda for the regular meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., are a visitors’ time, a presentation on Flint, Mich.; a preliminary December financial report; board comments; and general manager comments.

Yoder to hold open house Feb. 18 in Wyandotte County
U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., will hold a New Year Open House from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the lobby of Kansas City, Kan., City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. Rep. Yoder and his staff plan to visit with constituents over coffee about the top issues facing Congress in 2016. Those planning to attend should feel free to come and go as their schedule permits. The event is open to the public.

Adventures in Learning to be Feb. 19

The Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., will hold an Adventures in Learning program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Grace Lutheran Church, 3333 Wood Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The day begins with health screenings at 9 a.m., followed by chair exercises from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., participants may choose from a travelogue with Ed Shutt, “The Story of the Buffalo Soldiers,” or a presentation on issues by Ken Moore, chief Legal counsel, Unified Government. From 11 a.m. to noon, Shutt will discuss “Black History Sites in Wyandotte County,” and Alicia Ellingsworth and Hannah Hidaka will do a health presentation from Cultivate Kansas City. Lunch at noon will include tossed salad and penne pasta. Lunch costs $5 and reservations need to be made in advance to 913-281-8908. The lunch program will be musical selections by Gabe Harris.

Poetry event planned Feb. 20
A poetry event is planned at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The event is in conjunction with Black History Month. The presenter and poetry reader will be Sheri “Purpose” Hall, an area poet.

Program discusses ways to improve relationships
A program offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will discuss ways to build better understanding and better relationships with those from differing backgrounds and origins. The presenter of “Know Yourself, Understand Others, Improve Relationships”will be Chiquita Miller of K-State Extension. For reservations or more information, call 913-906-8990.

Program shows parents how to pay for college
Parents and guardians of seniors in the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming “Financing College” events. The focus will be on technical schools, two-year and four-year colleges. Five different sessions will be held across the district to provide assistance with the completion of FAFSA applications, college financial aid, and more. Sessions dates and times are:
• Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Harmon High School, 2400 Steele Road
• Thursday, Feb. 25, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Wyandotte High School, 2501 Minnesota Ave.
• Monday, Feb. 29, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the KCKPS Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St.
• Tuesday, April 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the KCKPS Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St.
The events are being sponsored by the KCK Network for College Opportunity. For more information, contact Lori Hewitt, KCKPS Diploma+ program specialist, 913-627-2685, [email protected].

KCK school board scheduled to meet Feb. 23
The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St., Kansas City, Kan. An agenda may be posted in advance of the meeting at www.kckps.org.

Blood drive scheduled
Bonner Springs High School is holding a Community Blood Center blood drive from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the gym, 100 McDaniel, Bonner Springs, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

UG Commission to meet Feb. 25
The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. An agenda may be posted at www.wycokck.org.

School to have hold benefit auction Feb. 26
Christ the King School will hold its 13th annual auction on Friday, Feb. 26, at the George Meyn Center, Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with the live auction at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. For information, call 913-406-4505. The theme of the event is “British Invasion.”

Authors to read from works at library event Feb. 27
The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library is holding its second Homegrown Reads local author fair featuring more than two dozen authors from the Kansas City metro area. This event will highlight burgeoning, new talent and popular, established authors. Fans will be able to meet and talk with authors, listen to live readings, and purchase copies of books to have signed. Homegrown Reads will take place at the West Wyandotte Library branch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 27. West Wyandotte Library is at 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kan.

Program offered on simple seasonal meals
“Simple Seasonal Meals,” a program on growing and preparing your own food, will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the K-State Research and Extension office of Wyandotte County, 1216 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kan. (west of K-mart). The program will discuss fresh fruits and vegetables that you can buy or grow, and it will include recipe selections for the four seasons, as well as tips on purchasing and storing produce. The Master Food Volunteers will present the program. A minimum fee of $5 will be for program materials and samples. Those attending may bring their own lunch, and water will be provided. There will be limited seating. Contact the K-State Extension Office, Wyandotte County, to register at 913-299-9300 or email Joe McLeland at [email protected]. The deadline for registration is Feb. 24.

Master Gardeners sponsor gardening program March 3
The Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners are sponsoring “Colorful Shade Gardening: Beyond Hostas,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 3. Rob Mortko, known as “the hosta guy,” and owner of Made in the Shade Gardens in Olathe, Kan., will be sharing his expertise, as he discusses the many options to create balance and diversity in the shady landscape. He’ll cover the different degrees of shade as well as the seemingly endless number of plants which are ideally suited for the shade. The class will be held in the Sunflower Room at the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N, 79th St., Kansas City, Kan., 913-299-9300. Fee: $5, payable at the door. Registration is not required.

Red Cross blood drive scheduled
An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Blood drive scheduled
Turner High School is holding a Community Blood Center blood drive from 7:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the auxiliary gym, 2211 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

Blood drive scheduled
Bishop Ward High School is holding a Community Blood Center blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the gym, 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

Counseling offered
Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers individual and couples counseling to women and men who might otherwise not be able to afford counseling. Nothing is billed. Donations are accepted. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.

Wyandotte County Museum
The Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and holidays. For more information visit the website www.facebook.com/wycomuseum or call 913-573-5002.

Strawberry Hill Museum
The Strawberry Hill Museum is closed through March 4. It will reopen March 5. For more information and hours of The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., visit www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/ or call 913-371-3264.