Winter safety tips

December, January and February are the leading months for home fires in the United States. On the average, more than one-third of home fire deaths occur during winter months. .... READ MORE click here>>

Enjoy the holidays!

Trash pick-up delayed one day,

Trash pick-up delayed one day, City offices closed Dec. 25

In observance of the Christmas holiday on Dec. 25, curbside trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day and City of Kansas City, Mo., offices will be closed. The 3-1-1 Action Center, a division of the City Manager's Office, also will be closed.

Residents who usually have Thursday collection will receive this service Friday, Dec. 26. Residents who usually have Friday collection will receive this service Saturday, Dec. 27.

The period after Christmas, Dec. 26-31, also is a “no tag” period for trash collection in the City. During this time, residents may set out more than two bags of trash without tags. This is done to accommodate the extra trash that is usually accumulated at this time. Residents are encouraged to utilize the City’s unlimited curbside recycling to dispose of cardboard and seasonal gift boxes.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance

Low Income Home Energy Assistance

The Missouri Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has two components: Energy Assistance/Regular Heating (EA) and Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECIP). EA is designed to provide financial assistance to help pay heating bills for Missourians during the months of October, November, December, January, February, and March.

Eligibility requirements for EA are based on income, family size, available resources and responsibility for payment of home heating costs. Eligibility for EA may also qualify individuals for additional financial assistance through ECIP and/or weatherization services funded by LIHEAP.

Click here for More Helpful Links

Rental program begins second registration cycle

All owners of occupied rental dwellings located in Kansas City, Mo., must register their properties with the City's Neighborhood and Community Services Department. Registration is required on a calendar-year basis and it expires each Dec. 31.

read more by clicking here >>

New Southeast Community Center

New Southeast Community Center in Swope Park
Saturday, December 13
11:00am-Ribbon Cutting
11:30am-6:00pm-Open House
1:00-3:00pm-KCWE Pool Party
4:00-6:00pm-Santa's Wonderland
4201 East 63rd Street Kansas City, MO

The new state-of-the-art community center in Swope Park features a full-sized basketball court, meeting rooms, game room, tot drop-off, craft room, therapy pool, recreation pool with play features and fitness area with weights and cardiovascular equipment.

Check it all out at our Open House and enjoy equipment/class demonstrations, family activities, refreshments, tours and more.

It's your new center - let's celebrate!

Southwestern Black Bean Soup

Southwestern Black Bean Soup

If America is truly a melting pot, soup often reflects the best flavors of our immigrant cultures.
Southwestern Black Bean Soup is a fiber-rich soup based on two of the world’s most common pantry staples: beans and rice. Beans and rice form a complete protein. When paired with a grocery list of nutrient-rich vegetables, you have a bowl brimming with good nutrition. READ MORE, CLICK HERE>>>

How to prepare for February's digital-TV switchover

First, let's start with the good. On February 17, broadcasters throughout the country will flip a switch turning off their old analog TV transmitters, and they will begin transmitting their TV signals only in digital format. Over 90 per READ MORE>>>

Season of giving: Donate gifts and gift cards to the Gillis Center

Community center assists families

How you can help: Donate gifts and gift cards for families helped by the Gillis Center. Presents can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 8150 Wornall Road.

This holiday season, the extended Hoback family donated coats, comforters and blankets, video game equipment and board games.

Why they’re helping: “My family thinks it makes more of a difference in our giving to them instead of giving to each other,” said Sarah Jones of Shawnee, a member of the Hoback family. “We really like the fact that it is a local organization and it helps people in the area. We really like that they work with children.”

For more information: Contact Carol Johnson at 816-508-3556 or send e-mail to Carol.Johnson@gillis.org.

Hallmark puts KC on display in NYC

ABC's "Good Morning America" did a live broadcast from Crown Center's Ice Terrace as it unveiled a Kansas City-themed holiday window at its Times Square Studios in New York. See the photos from New York and the video from Kansas City.

Brookside's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 4th

Join us for Brookside's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony tomorrow night. Help us turn on the lights and make merry this holiday season! Enjoy music by The Holiday Trombones, enter to win prizes and enjoy complimentary refreshments. See the "Stars of Brookside," provided by Brookside neighborhood school elementary school art classes.

This festive event harkens back to traditional town celebrations, bringing together residents, Brookside merchants and visitors of all ages to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season in this charming neighborhood.

The ceremony will take place at the south end of the parking area between Sharps restaurant and Bank Midwest, at the corner of 63rd Street and Brookside Plaza.

The Brookside Business Association, with more than 70 shops, restaurants and services, offers plenty of parking and an assortment of eclectic boutiques that can't be found anywhere else.

100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City sponsors toy drives

How you can help: Donate a new toy worth at least $10 at a toy drive from 5:30 to 8:30 tonight sponsored by 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City. Toys may be wrapped (with gender on a tag) or unwrapped and should be delivered to Harper’s restaurant, 1601 E. 18th St. Monetary donations also will be accepted. There will be refreshments and entertainment.

The toys will be distributed to Child Protection Center, the Rose Brooks Center and the Kansas City, Kan., Christmas in the City.

100 Black Men will hold another toy drive from 8 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at Figlio, 209 W. 46th Terrace.

Why he’s helping: “It’s a form of giving back to the community and sharing what I have been blessed with during the year and in my childhood,” says Anthony Williams of Kansas City, Kan. “A lot of families don’t get to have Christmas.”

For more information:www.100blackmenkc.com or 816-853-4145.

Holiday Portrait sessions are still available!

Holiday Portrait sessions are still available!
Call to schedule your Holiday Portrait Session.

Order Holiday prints by Monday, Dec 8th for Christmas Delivery.
pbinderphotography.com

FABU's 13th Annual Pajama Party!

FABU
Asks you to join them at their
13th Annual FABU Pajama Party!

Time: December 6th from 10 am till 7pm.
www.fabuinkc.com

Stop by FABU to grab some snacks, wear your comfy Jammie's, shop, and have your portrait taken by FABU'lous photographer, Elaina Generally. She will be doing party portraits of anyone or anything including your kitties and puppies.
The is no sitting fee and you will be able to order prints online.

FABU is located in Waldo.
7425 Washington KCMO. 816.444.8989

Other news:
Dec 13th.
Stop by for our amazing silhouette artist, Carolyn Marsh. Carolyn will be creating beautiful hand-cut silhouettes of kids and pets. Call to reserve your spot. 816.444.8989

FABU is open till 6pm on Thursdays, now thru Xmas!
Visit us online at www.fabuinkc.com

33 things to do in KC metro for FREE

For anyone on a shoestring budget, Kansas City offers many free adventures. The following list provides 33 free activities that offer something for everyone.
Click here to learn more.

Other Free things to do for the holidays...
- Meet the Grinch in the river market
- See Santa's Ginger Bread Village at Crown Center

- On Dec 13th. Stop in for Music, Marionettes & Magic

Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, December 3

Mayor Announces Town Hall Meeting Wednesday Evening


Mayor Mark Funkhouser will hold a town hall meeting this Wednesday, December 3, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 11 40th St.

The hour-long town hall meeting will be sponsored by the Mainstreet Corridor Development Corporation. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a 15-minute introductory address followed by 45 minutes of questions and comments from the audience.

If you are interested in hosting a town hall meeting, please contact Crispin Rea in the Mayor's office: 816-513-3503, or crispin_rea@kcmo.org.

Visit Santa's Wonderlands: December 5,6 & 13

Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation presents . . .
Santa's Wonderlands

December 5, 6:00-8:00pm
Gillham Park, 41st & Gillham

December 6, 5:00-7:00pm
Penguin Park, Vivion and N. Norton Roads

December 13, 4:00-6:00pm
Swope Park , Southeast Community Center

FREE ADMISSION

Visit with Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty while you enjoy festive live music and delicious hot chocolate. Children will be able to tell Santa Claus their holiday wishes and receive a candy cane!

Visit our website for all the Holiday Happenings!

Save $ by using coupons

Here are a few places you can print off coupons to use in various stores.

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/


http://print.coupons.com

If you know of more coupon sites that have been helpful to you please email them to wgna@gmail.com

Lincoln College Prep band preps for performance at Carnegie Hall

Lincoln College Prep band preps for performance at Carnegie Hall

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

For high school musicians at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, the chance of a lifetime requires something more than the “practice, practice, practice” punch line of the classic New York joke.

It’s donations, donations, donations.

The band’s booster club has figured the Kansas City School District program needs $75,000 to send nearly 50 players and their instruments to perform in the grand concert venue next spring.
Click here to read more