Wednesday, January 28, 2009

KC wants to keep track of vacant property

Kansas City is trying to get an inventory of all its vacant and foreclosed properties, especially in light of the recent mortgage crisis.

The City Council’s Housing Committee today endorsed a proposal to require that properties vacant for more than 120 days be registered with the city. The measure goes to the full council on Feb. 5 for a vote.

“This is driven by the fact that many vacant properties are not well-maintained,” Councilman John Sharp said.

learn more here.....

Job Posting: Census Bureau

U.S. Census Bureau job testing available at Mohart Center

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Neighborhood and Community Services Department is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to provide employment testing for census jobs.

The employment testing will take place at the Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose FOCUS Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-5:30 p.m. until staffing needs are met.
The Mohart Center is located at 3200 Wayne Ave. and is operated by the Human Services Division of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department. Applicants are asked to park in the free parking lot at 33rd and Flora streets and enter through the center's south doors.

"We are very pleased to be able to provide space for the census bureau staff in our facility for these testing sessions," said Jackie Powell, manager of the Human Services Division. "It is critical that an accurate count of residents is taken during the census because the numbers reported eventually determine the number of federal representatives we have and how much federal funding our community receives."

For more information and to register for a session, call the U.S. Census Bureau, (816) 977-2121.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Chinese New Year Begins Year of the Ox


"...The ox carried the rat, who pushed the cat, who nearly drowned and lost the race in the legend behind the Chinese Zodiac, an ancient system steeped in lore that puzzles and enthralls.." learn more>>

Friday, January 23, 2009

News From the KCPD department


Greetings,Greetings,

As you may know, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department has a Community Involvement Task Force in all six patrol divisions.
The one at Metro Patrol has been working on several projects, one of which is to help in the reporting of dump sites throughout Metro.
I advise you to contact me if you have information on a suspect in the illegal dumping. The task force has decided to go a step further and is asking you to contact me if you have a site where illegal dumping is a common occurrence, so the task force can notify the city department responsible for the cleanup. Hopefully this will aid in a timely cleanup. Thank you for your time and the time you spend keeping your neighborhoods a safe place.



P.O. John Trainor
Kansas City, Missouri Police Department
Community Interaction Officer / Metro Patrol Division
816-349-6428
My e-mail address has changed: john.trainor@kcpd.org

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Angel Food Ministries



Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States.. learn more here

Click Here to learn about the menu for February

Click here to Find a host site to order your food and pick it up.

New Southeast Community Center



New Southeast Community Center in Swope Park

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!

Reuse Reduce Recycle

Click on images to make them bigger.







Reduce Reuse Recycle




Bulky Item Pick Up Info


Monday, January 19, 2009

The Fire Department's Smoke Detector Program

Throughout the year several smoke detectors are placed in homes throughout the city as part of the Fire Department's Smoke Detector Program. They are placed in homes that previously had no smoke detectors or have a malfunctioning one. Reminder cards labeled "Change Your Battery" are mailed out to all who receive free smoke detectors.
LEARN MORE BY CLICKING HERE>>

GET A PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD

FREE to Jackson County Residents.

The high cost of prescription drugs is enough to make many people sick.

With prescription drug coverage, staying healthy can come at a high price. With Jackson County Rx, which, yes, is FREE to all County residents, you can save money on any prescription purchase not covered by other insurance.

Any County resident, with or without prescription drug coverave, can use this program.

Click here to learn more>>

Be Prepared For Digital TV Conversion


The countdown is now down to less than a year. At the stroke of midnight February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Click here to learn more >

Do you need Tax Preparation Assistance?


Do you need Tax Preparation Assistance?

Tax Assistance Centers
The Tax Assistance Centers provide regional access for taxpayers seeking contact with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Click here to find a location


Other resources & links:
H&R Block

www.AARP.com

Free Tax Return Preparation For You by Volunteerswww.IRS.com

The Senior Citizen Quad Payment Program.


forms:
Click here to find a form you may need.

HPV vaccination program

The HPV Initiative is possible because of grants provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Reach Healthcare Foundation. This Initiative will provide the vaccine free of charge to females who are unable to receive the vaccine at a reasonable cost through their own health insurance.
Click here to learn where to this vaccine free of charge
* certain rules apply.

Click here to learn more about HPV

Friday, January 16, 2009

Trash pick-up delayed, City offices closed Jan. 19

Trash pick-up delayed, City offices closed Jan. 19

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Jan. 19, curbside trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day and City of Kansas City, Mo., offices will be closed.

Click Here To Learn More>

Scholarships available for low-income residents

Scholarships available for low-income residents

For the second year, the City of Kansas City, Mo., Youth Advocacy Office, a division of the City Manager’s Office, will help administer a scholarship grant program funded by The Port Authority of Kansas City, Mo., and area casino gaming operators.

The scholarships will serve city residents living in households that have a total annual income of 80 percent or less of the median income of city households.

Scholarship applicants must be 17-25 years old, pursuing educational opportunities at an accredited or certified college, university and vocational/technical school and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Click here to learn more...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Feb. 28: Health Fair: Day of Dance for Health

Bring your friends and family to dance, learn simple ways to stay healthy, enjoy music and participate in health screenings. You will get the latest information on a heart-healthy lifestyle, fitness and nutrition. Call 816-691-1688 to register.
Course Fee: FREE

Session 1
Dates: Saturday, Feb. 28
Time: Saturday, Noon - 4pm

Click here to register

Learn More that North Kansas City Hospital offers to the community by clicking here.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Topic: Property & Life Insurance: The Real Story

Property & life insurance represent a significant expenditures for most Americans. For many consumers it is a rather mysterious subject. What is the best way to shop and compare prices? What can I do to cut my premiums without hurting my coverage? What recourse do I have coverage is denied or rates go up unreasonably? Get answers at this info session.

Presenter: Jeff Williams, Legal Aid of Western Missouri
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Blue Hills Resource Center, 5309 Woodland


Questions? Call Leigh at 816.333.7870 ext. 203 or E-mail: LTodt@bhcsmo.org
Refreshments & materials will be provided!

Trash pick-up delayed

Trash pick-up delayed, City offices closed Jan. 19

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Jan. 19, 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, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents who usually have Monday collection will receive this service Tuesday, Jan. 20. Residents who usually have Friday collection will receive this service Saturday, Jan 24.

For more information about solid waste collection services, visit http://www.kcmo.org/trash or call the 3-1-1 Action Center at 311 or (816) 513-1313.

Media inquiries about trash and recycling should be directed to Dennis Gagnon, public information officer for the Public Works Department, (816) 513-2659.

Monday, January 12, 2009

How You Can Start a Farm in Heart of the City


How You Can Start a Farm in Heart of the City


"...Before you start thinking that you have to move somewhere else to grow your own food, take another look around. With a couple of notable exceptions, American cities sprawl. They are full of wasted space. As a homesteader, you will begin to see any open space as a place to grow food. This includes front yards as well as backyards, vacant lots, parkways, alleyways, patios, balconies, window boxes, fire escapes and rooftops.... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Be 1 of the 100,000” crusade.


Be 1 of the 100,000’ project aims to change lives, one by one..


"...It is no secret that caring adults can change children’s lives
, said Lisa Adkins, the president of YouthFriends. YouthFriends has allied itself with the new campaign, along with a host of other agencies, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA Young Achievers, the Kauffman Scholars program and the Hispanic community’s LNESC agency...."

Click here to learn more about
"Be 1 of the 100,000” crusade"

http://www.be1kc.org

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Jan 13th: Communities Creating Opportunity

Greetings,

CCO (Communities Creating Opportunity) is having a Community Loan Modification session on January 13, 2009 from 3-8pm.

Communities Creating Opportunity, in partnership with Bank of America/Countrywide is hosting a public loan modification and foreclosure counseling event, at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, 5814 Euclid, KCMO 64130 from 4-8 pm. If you have a Pay Option ARM, ARM, or Sub-prime loan with Bank of America/Countrywide, loan modification is possible! To pre-register, please contact CCO office at (816) 444-5585.

Communities Creating Opportunity

Greetings,

CCO (Communities Creating Opportunity) is having a Community Loan Modification session on January 13, 2009 from 3-8pm. Below is language we are asking that you post in your bulletin announcements for this week.

Communities Creating Opportunity, in partnership with Bank of America/Countrywide is hosting a public loan modification and foreclosure counseling event, at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, 5814 Euclid, KCMO 64130 from 4-8 pm. If you have a Pay Option ARM, ARM, or Sub-prime loan with Bank of America/Countrywide, loan modification is possible! To pre-register, please contact CCO office at (816) 444-5585.

Public Hearings on Budget


Public Hearings on Budget


Gina Boucher
Aide to Councilwoman Cindy Circo
5th District At-large
816.513.1633
gina_boucher@kcmo.org

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Company offers free house painting job for needy local family

Company offers free house painting job for needy local family

College Works Painting would like to offer a free exterior paint job valued at about $3,000 to a needy local family. College Works Painting has painted hundreds of local houses and would like to give back to the community and is asking you to nominate a local family that could use some sprucing up around the house.

We value the Kansas City Metro community and want an opportunity to give back. We will also be training employees during the process of painting the home over spring break to ensure quality standards from our team this summer. We will provide high quality of materials, insurance, workers comp and a warranty on the work completed.

Please send nominations to Vice President of CWP MO/KS Sean Phelps @ sphelps94@collegeworks.com with a description of why you feel the nominee deserves a small exterior paint job makeover for their home. Thank you and Happy New Year!

City Hall: ordinances being heard Jan7th

There are two ordinances being heard tomorrow. CCO organizers will be present, however we would like for you to be there, especially ordinance 081277 being heard at 3:00pm.


True Vine Missionary Baptist Church had an action on December 11th and requested lender licensing be supported and Councilwoman Cindy Circo and City Staff rep David Parks both agreed to support an ordinance that would Stop the Blight. We requested that elected officials should require in the early process of foreclosures that Lenders register their property. We believe this will give the consumer time to modify their loan and it notifies the city of information needed to ensure the property is maintained while owned by the lender. Lender registration is needed just like landlord registration is needed.


The other ordinance being heard Jan.7th at 8:15am will be designating approximately $75,000.00 to hire community organizers and $75,000.00 to hire a consultant to look at economic development in Kansas City ’s most distressed areas.


Ordinance 081275
Will be hearing from community at 8:15am City Hall on the 10th Floor

TITLE: Reducing the Contingent Appropriation of the General Fund in the amount of $150,000.00; increasing the appropriation in Account No. 1000-121460, Development Finance by $150,000.00 to provide consulting services and other appropriate expenses for the Economically Distressed Areas Economic Development Task Force; and recognizing an emergency.


Ordinance 081277
Will be hearing from community at 3:00pm City Hall on the 10th Floor