Free Chocolate, Giveaways and Health Screenings at Chocolate Crawl

Downtown Lee’s Summit will host its 3rd Annual Chocolate Crawl from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Customers are invited to wear red, and follow the pink and red balloons to free chocolate treats and health screenings while they shop for Valentine’s Day.

Customers should follow the pink balloons to participating stores, where they can enjoy a variety of free chocolate treats and enter to win a Valentine’s Day gift basket filled with products and gift cards. The first 300 customers to visit either A Thyme for Everything (231 SE Main) or The Living Stone (18 SE Third Street) will receive a box filled with coupons from participating stores. The boxes are only available the day of the event.

Downtown Lee’s Summit is also proud to partner with Lee’s Summit Medical Center to offer free health screenings. New to the event this year, the health screenings will include cholesterol, bone density, posture assessment, blood pressure and more. A total of 10 health screening stations will be offered inside participating businesses throughout downtown. These health screenings help celebrate the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, which raises awareness about heart disease. All health screening stations will be marked with red balloons.

Downtown Lee’s Summit’s 3rd Annual Chocolate Crawl is brought to you by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc. (DLSMS), in partnership with Lee’s Summit Medical Center. DLSMS is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Lee’s Summit. For more information, please visit www.downtownls.org or call 816-246-6598.

KC Zoo: free Family Science Night Feb 3rd

February 3, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Kansas City Zoo is hosting a free Family Science Night. This is one in a series of hands-on Zoo science nights for families.

The February 3rd Family Science Night theme is Fantastic Foods. Kids will learn where food comes from, what causes food to spoil or be dangerous to eat, how much food they should be eating, how much food zoo animals need to eat, and more.

There is no registration required. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

The Kansas City Zoo is located at 6800 Zoo Drive in Kansas City, Missouri.

Free one day membership to Sams club

Click here to sign up for a one day trial membership to Sam’s Club.
The promo code is 10851.

This deal expires on January 25, 2011.

Jan 22nd & 29th: FUNDAMENTALS BASKETBALL CLINIC

FUNDAMENTALS BASKETBALL CLINIC

with former NBA players
Clay Johnson and
Joe C. Merriweather
Saturday, January 22nd (ages 7-10)
Saturday, January 29th (ages 11-17)

10:00 am to Noon

Southeast

Community Center

4201 E 63rd, KCMO

For more information call (816) 513-9632 or
www.kcmo.org/parks

Martin Luther King Jr.Events

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

TUESDAY, JAN. 11

Southern Christian Leadership Conference Community Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel, 200 W. 12th St., Kansas City. Keynote speaker, Mayor James Young, Philadelphia, Miss. $60. www.kcsclc.org

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12

Dream Kansas City-MLK Jr. Call to Action Celebration. 5:30 p.m. Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City.

THURSDAY, JAN. 13

Southern Christian Leadership Conference 36th Annual Black Achievers Celebration. 6 p.m. Kansas City Marriott Downtown, 200 W. 12th St., Kansas City. $75. www.kcsclc.org

FRIDAY, JAN. 14

Olathe Human Relations Commission Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. Noon. Olathe City Council Chamber, 100 E. Santa Fe, Olathe.

UMKC MLK Keynote Lecture: “Continuing the Struggle.” Henry Louis Gates, Harvard University. 6 p.m. Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes Road, Kansas City. Registration required at www.umkc.edu/diversity

SATURDAY, JAN. 15

March for Peace. SCLC-KC. Noon. Meet at St. Matthew AME Zion, 4400 Linwood, Kansas City, and march to Linwood United Christian Church, 3151 Olive.

The 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Memorial Community Program. Doors open at 1 p.m. and program begins at 2 p.m. at (a new location) Blue Valley West High School, 159th Street and Antioch Road in Overland Park. Guest speaker is Airick Leonard West, president of the Kansas City, Mo., school board. Musical and dance performances.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission: “Love creates unity in the midst of diversity” at 6:30 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City. Guest speaker, the Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III. Musical and dance performances.

SUNDAY, JAN. 16

Raytown annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration: “Unity With Love — Pass It On,” 3 p.m. at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown. Keynote speaker, the Rev. Donald Ford of Second Missionary Baptist Church, Grandview. Musical groups will perform. A reception and time for fellowship follow the program.

Methodist Ministers Fellowship. SCLC-KC. 6 p.m. at Ward Chapel AME Church, 2126 Prospect, Kansas City.

MONDAY, JAN. 17

Southern Christian Leadership Conference Community Breakfast. 8 a.m., MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe. Keynote speaker, E. Bernard Franklin, former chief of Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley.

Kansas City, Kan., Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration: “Holding on to the Dream: Still Seeking Peace, Economic Justice, and Moral Accountability.”11 a.m. at the Jack Reardon Civic Center, 5th Street and Minnesota Ave. Keynote speaker, the Rev. Bishop John Richard Bryant, presiding prelate, 4th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The annual “Motorcade for Hunger” will depart at 10 a.m. from the Mount Zion Baptist Church parking lot at Fifth Street and Richmond Avenue and will arrive at the Reardon Civic Center by 11 a.m.

Doug Talley Quartet concert to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Noon to 1 p.m. at Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Westport Road, Kansas City. Sponsored by the Westport Center for the Arts.

Seventh Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Dinner: Social hour at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6, and program at 7. Overland Park Marriott Hotel, 10800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. Olathe branch of the NAACP. Legacy Award recipient is Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland. $75. Reservation checks can be made to the Martin Luther King Legacy and Scholarship Awards Committee and mailed to P.O. Box 270691, Kansas City, MO 64127.

Community forum, “Strength to Love: Today and Tomorrow.” 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 3530 Chelsea Drive, Kansas City. Forum explores Martin Luther King Jr.’s views on economic security, public safety, healthcare and military spending and what actions he would call for today. Video and audio excerpts of King’s speeches and a panel of youth and adult speakers.

Bonner Springs and Edwardsville celebration. 1 to 3 p.m. at First Christian Church, 148 Nettleton in Bonner Springs. Panel discussion with representatives of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Music and refreshments.

Salvation Army’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 9 a.m. volunteer registration at the Bellefontaine Community Center, 3013 E. Ninth St., Kansas City. At 9:30 a.m., volunteers, led by a drill team, will march from the community center to the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center, at 1351 E. 10th St., where they will clean up a nearby park. A worship service at 11 a.m. at the Adult Rehabilitation Center, followed by a complimentary lunch.

The Independence Ministerial Alliance and the Community of Concerned Citizens, in partnership with the City of Independence: “Serving Others.” 7 p.m. at the Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple. Keynote speaker, Barbara Peterson, board president of Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City, Inc. Musical performances.

The 13th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration. Presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 7 a.m. 2915 Swope Parkway, Kansas City. Speaker: Rockell Ingram.

Northland annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. 10 a.m. in John Gano Memorial Chapel on the campus of William Jewell College in Liberty. Tickets or reservations are not required. Featured speaker, John Covington, superintendent of schools for the Kansas City School District. A public reception will follow in the White Atrium of the Yates-Gill College Union. For a campus map with driving directions to William Jewell College, go to www.jewell.edu/william_jewell/gen/william_and_jewell_generated_ pages/Campus_Map_m84.html

Mass Celebration. SCLC-KC. 6 p.m. Friendship Baptist Church, 3530 Chelsea Drive, Kansas City.Keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a Democrat and former majority whip in the House.

Coupon for Tax Preparation at Jackson Hewitt

But it is tax season…

This coupon will get you a $25 discount on tax preparation at Jackson Hewitt.

You’ll have to give them your e-mail address to get the coupon, but if they’re going to do your taxes, they’ll probably end up with it anyway.


Click Here to get coupon >>

In the Kansas City area, there are several Jackson Hewitt locations.

Superlative Vegetables for Kansas City: Saturday, February 19,

Vegetables need not be boring or something you avoid at dinner. They can be show pieces of your garden and tasty home-grown additions to culinary exploration.

vegetablesThe GCA welcomes Ben Sharda of the Kansas City Community Gardens to share his suggestions for the best vegetable varieties for growing in Kansas City gardens as well as some unusual vegetables you may have never heard of or just never thought about growing.

Saturday, February 19,
The fun begins at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments followed by the program at 10 a.m. at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center at 4750 Troost, Kansas City, Missouri 64110.

Garden Center Association Presents Speaker Series

The Garden Center Association (GCA) of Greater Kansas City recently announced the first two programs of the 2011 GCA Speaker Series.

The series begins on Saturday, January 15 at the Discovery Center with Rita and George Arnold of Arnold's Greenhouse in Leroy, Kansas as they lead a photo tour of what's new for the garden in 2011. Throw away those catalogs, take a front row seat and check off the new plants you must have. You will get to see amazing photos and all the details of the plants, where and how they want to grow, as well as what makes them special.

Vegetable BasketOn Saturday, February 19, the GCA presents "Superlative Vegetable Varieties for Growing in Kansas City" by Ben Sharda, executive director of Kansas City Community Gardens. Ben will talk about interesting vegetables for your garden. You may not look at vegetables the same way ever again. Discover vegetables that deserve to take front and center in your garden and not be relegated to the backs of the beds or far corners of the garden. Best of all, not only are they good to look at but good to eat as well.

Both programs begin 10:00am at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost. Hot coffee and refreshments begin on half hour before the program. Admission is free and open to the public. The speaker series is paid for by GCA membership dues, donations and fund-raising events.

The 2011 GCA Speaker Series continues throughout the year and will include programs on Hellebores, Lilies, Organic Gardening, Saving Seeds and much more. Watch the GCA website for details.

POSTPONED: KC Mayoral Candidate Forum

New date is January 15


KC Mayoral Candidate Forum

The KC Mayoral Candidate Forum scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed and will be held Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church Hall
814 W. 26th Street
Kansas City, Missouri

Host Members
Hispanic Civic Engagement Project
Guadalupe Centers, Inc.
Mattie Rhodes
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater KC
Hispanic Economic Development Corp.
Westside Housing Organization
Cabot Westside Health Center
LULAC/LNESC
Coalition of Hispanic Organizations
Communities Creating Opportunities
Kansas City Hispanic News

Attendees will be encouraged to vote on the candidates' responses to the questions. These results will be compiled into a scoring rubric that will be aggressively disseminated to the members, clients, and communities these organiztions and agencies serve.

Moderators
Kris Katz, KMBC Channel 9
Chris Hernandez, Channel 41
Joe Arce, KC Hispanic News

For more information, contact Crispin Rea at 816-581-5616.

Community Leadership Program

Hello KC citizens! As a contracted instructor for the Community Leadership Program, sponsored by Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), I want to personally invite you to enroll in my classes, one of which, Relationship Building, is beginning next Tuesday evening and runs for five weeks. Following the Relationship Building series, I will be instructing the Problem Solving series.

Even though it is sometimes tough to get out in the cold weather during the winter, this time of year is a good time to acquire some new skills and perspective on how to inspire and lead others in improving not only your neighborhood, but workplaces, churches and our city. If you are enable to commit to the entire Community Leadership Program, which consists of five series that are 5-sessions each, it is still appropriate to attend only what works for you. The two series that I instruct are very neighborhood-focused where you will meet other leaders, obtain new ways to engage people and some tools that will help you be more effective as a current or potential leader.

The classes are held at the Green Impact Zone office at 4600 Paseo. The facility is handicapped accessible, has security on site and a light supper is served prior to each class and there is no cost to enroll. Please see the instructions below on how to enroll. Do it soon as the first class begins in a week and there is a limit on class size! You may call me with questions.

Sincerely,
Ronelle Neperud
Discovery Source
9 E. 108th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-216-6738 (office)
816-868-0374 (cell)

Jan 17th: Trash service delayed

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 17, curbside trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day and City of Kansas City, Mo., offices, including the 3-1-1 Action Center, will be closed.

Residents who usually have Monday collection will receive this service Tuesday, Jan. 18. Residents who usually have Friday collection will receive this service Saturday, Jan 22.

For more information about solid waste collection services, visit http://www.kcmo.org/trash or call the 3-1-1 Action Center, a division of the City Manager's Office, 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.

January 8:Free Community Health Fair

This Saturday, January 8, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Legacy Park Community Center is hosting a free health fair and birthday bash.

Free health screenings include:

• Blood pressure
• Bone density
• Diabetes
• Foot care
• Cancer profiling
• Muscle tension
• Flu vaccinations
• Motor skills
• Memory screenings

The birthday bash includes a free open swim, gym equipment, fitness classes, snacks and more.

Schedule of Events:

• Open swim, fitness center, track and racquetball: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Chair massages: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Turbokick: 8:30 a.m.
• Community Health Fair: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Boot Camp: 9:30 a.m.
• Meet KC Wolf: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Zumba & Zumbatomic: 11:30 a..m.

Legacy Park Community Center is located at 901 NE Bluestem Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Vigil for Denise R. Peterson Jan 4th.

Ad Hoc Group Against Crime in collaboration with the Marlborough Community Coalition will hold a candlelight vigil in memory of Marlborough resident Denise R. Peterson.

Ms. Peterson died on December 19th after grave injuries received from being gunned down at 54th & Highland on December 18th. She was Kansas City's 102nd homicide. The crime has not yet been solved.

The Vigil will be held:

7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
8504 Highland (a vacant lot, but will be marked)
Please park at Center Alternative School, 85th & Paseo

(information from Marlborough Community Coalition)

Kansas City Symphony: discounted tickets

These tickets are for this Friday’s performance (December 17, 2010).

Another great deal from Travelzoo.com ! While supplies last, get the best available tickets to the Friday, December 17, 2010 performance by the Kansas City Symphony for just $35 (the regular price is $65). The usual taxes and fees still apply.
The performance will be held at the Lyric Theatre.

The Friday night concert includes Holiday songs by the Kansas City Symphony and its 125-member chorus, and performances by a children’s choir and a handbell ensemble.

To book your tickets, click here

Select the $65 Dress Circle Tickets. Use the promo code TZOO35.

The Lyric Theatre is located at 1029 Central in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Free Admission to See The Holiday Express at Union Station

Santa Claus is riding into Union Station this Friday through Sunday, December 17-19, 2010 on the Holiday Express. This event is indoors. Kids will get to visit with Santa, and you’ll get to see The Holiday Express.

Although admission is free, you can book tickets online to avoid waiting in line.

The dates and times are a little messed up on the Union Station Web site, but it looks like you can book tickets in 15 minute intervals from 9:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Friday, and from 9:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Union Station is located at 30 West Pershing Road in Kansas City, Missouri.

City hosts waste tire clean-up Friday, Dec. 17

Councilwoman Cindy Circo, 5th District at-Large, with the Truman Road Corridor Association and the City of Kansas City, Mo., Regulated Industries Division of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department, is pleased to announce a community waste tire clean-up event and press conference on Friday, Dec. 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Roberts Road and Cambridge Avenue (just north of Independence Avenue and west of I-435).

This initiative results from voter-approved tire dealer registration that will fund City efforts to dramatically decrease illegal waste tire dumping. Waste tires collected in this endeavor will be transported to a recycling center by a licensed waste tire hauler paid by a state grant through the Department of Natural Resources. Manpower to collect and remove the tires will be provided by members of the Truman Road Corridor Association and those in need of community service time to satisfy probationary requirements.

Waste tires illegally dumped in Kansas City not only create a health risk for residents but also result in a blighting influence that adversely impacts a community’s quality of life.

“This aggressive plan developed over the past 18 months is targeting the problem,” Councilwoman Circo said. “We believe Kansas City is the first city to develop a plan that partners the community, law enforcement and the City to effectively reduce the numbers of waste tires being illegally dumped throughout the community.”

Community, civic and non-profit groups are encouraged to organize their own waste tire clean-up. Regulated Industries will assist with the state grant application and will coordinate a waste tire hauler to remove the collected tires. Councilwoman Circo has established a fund to front the initial outlay of funds needed for a clean-up that is replenished once the state grant funds are received by the non-profit applicant.

Future City efforts to curb illegal dumping include the required registration of all new and used tire dealers and waste tire haulers within the City and the increased prosecution of those who have illegally dumped waste tires in Kansas City.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact Gina Boucher, aide to Councilwoman Circo, at 816-513-1633.

Holiday Activities/Services - Neighborhood Churches

As a "public" service, we are letting you know of church services in the neighborhood during this Christmas season. If you don't have a church home, or perhaps because of bad weather would rather attend services close to the neighborhood, please consider any of the below options:

Saturday, December 18th - 7:00 pm
Christmas Play
Admission: FREE
Evangel Spiritual Temple
8448 Flora
333-5520

Sunday, December 19th - 10:00 am
Christmas Contata featuring the Chancel Choir
South-Broadland Presbyterian Church
7850 Holmes
523-7326

Sunday, December 19th - 6:30 pm
Living Nativity
Crossroads Church KC
7917 Main Street
931-8420

Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) - 6:00 pm
Candlelight Service
South-Broadland Presbyterian Church
7850 Holmes
523-7326

Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) - 6:30 pm
Candlelight Service with Communion
Crossroads Church KC
7917 Main Street
931-8420


Be safe...and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


***** This postings information was provided by Marlborough Community Coalition****

Coast2Coast Rx discount prescription card program

The City of Kansas City, Mo. is pleased to announce its participation in the Coast2Coast Rx discount prescription card program, effective Tuesday, Dec. 14. This card will offer significant healthcare savings to Kansas City's residents, regardless of age, income or health status, and without cost to taxpayers or the City. Used in many other municipalities, the program has saved cardholders an average of 45 percent on prescription drugs in 2010.

"With healthcare costs on the rise, prescription drug discounts will help ease some of the financial burdens Kansas City families are facing at a time when they need it the most," said Councilman John Sharp.

The card is distributed free of charge at most pharmacies or online at www.coast2coastrx.com, and it can be used at all pharmacy chains and at most independent pharmacies. There is no enrollment form, membership fee, usage limits or card expiration date. Family members living outside of Kansas City and pets can also partake in the program.

"There are no eligibility requirements, so the Rx card is expected to have a sizeable affect on uninsured residents, residents facing high insurance deductibles and insured residents in need of prescriptions not covered by their current plans," said Councilwoman Beth Gottstein.

In addition to saving residents money, the City will receive a $0.75 royalty on each filled prescription, which comes out of the pharmacy dispensing fee. The City will use the added revenue to help subsidize the City employee healthcare system. Participating pharmacies will absorb the money lost to help propel additional business.

"We are pleased to work with Kansas City to help individuals, their families and pets combat the rising cost of healthcare," said Martin Dettelbach, chief marketing officer of Financial Marketing Concepts, Inc., the company issuing the card. "We appreciate all that Kansas City and local pharmacies are doing to help those in need."

Acting City Manager Troy Schulte; City Councilmembers Beth Gottstein and John Sharp; and Financial Marketing Concepts, Inc. will hold a press conference to launch the new program Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at the City Manager's Office on the 29th floor of City Hall, 414 E. 12th St.

For more information, please visit www.coast2coastrx.com or contact Martin Dettelbach at 919-465-0097.

Please check the below link for more information as it relates to those WITH health insurance, either through their employers or through Medicare. There may be advantages for you as well:

http://www.coast2coastrx.com/mvpdvpfaqs.htm

Tis the Season of Giving at the Gillis Center

Tis the Season of Giving at the Gillis Center
Giving is a year-round activity at the Gillis Center. The organization that has been helping Kansas City's children and families for 140 years is particularly busy during the holiday season. It's a season of great need, but the folks at Gillis see it as a season of opportunity as well.

The week of December 12th, Gillis will host its annual Gillis Gift Gallery. Stocked with new gifts by generous donors, the Gift Gallery ensures that no familiy member goes without something to make the season brighter. Gillis is interested in all types of donated gifts for children of all ages. In another venture, Gillis will be selling "Gillis Gourmet Good Deed" gift certificates in support of their counseling programs. The certificates are redeemable for any flavor of Tippin's Pies through any metro-area Hen House Market. The $15 certificates must be ordered by January 4, 2011, and redeemed by January 15, 2011.

For information on these programs, or other ways you can support Gillis Center families through the holidays, contact Katie Culbertson at 816-508-3556, or Katie.Culbertson@Gillis.org.


(This article provided by "The Link Letter", a Waldo, Southtown, & Brookside e-publication)

Troost MAX line: Jan 1st

Make Way for "The MAX" on Troost
The long anticipated Troost MAX line is scheduled to open with the new year, on the auspicious date of January 1, 2011 (1-1-11). Those who travel Troost regularly started noticing the installation of Troost MAX stations up and down the avenue in October. While the Troost MAX will run from Downtown to Bannister Road, within Southtown, the
MAX stations connect important nodes, such as the UniversityThe MAX (51st-55th), The Landing (63rd), and even one named "Southtown," located just a block from the Southtown Planning Center.

The MAX is a great way to get around, and both the KCATA and Southtown/Waldo/Brookside encourage everyone to give the MAX a try. With the "Orange Line" MAX connecting Waldo and Brookside to points north, and the "Green Line" MAX providing the same service to Southtown, our
area is uniquely positioned to both promote and take advantage of this great community asset. So the next time you're headed downtown, or maybe to a function at UMKC or Rockhurst, or even a meeting at the Southtown Planning Center, jump on board the MAX. It's a chance to see our community in a whole new way!