Around the community

Grandview

Amnesty Day is March 8: If you have an outstanding arrest warrant on a Grandview municipal charge, you’ll want to head to court on Friday, March 8, for the city’s first-ever Amnesty Court Day. You won’t be arrested or assessed with failure-to-appear fees when you show up at the session, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1200 Main St.

Guilty pleas will be accepted by the judge, fines can be paid and warrants recalled. If a driver’s license suspension has been issued, compliance notices will be given after fines are paid so driving privileges can be reinstated.

To find out if you have an outstanding warrant, call 816-316-4837 or go to www.grandview.org for a complete list.

Independence

Historic preservation awards: If you know a person, project or group worthy of recognition for historic preservation, you may submit a nomination for the annual W. Z. Hickman Awards for Historic Preservation. The deadline is March 22.

The award program started in 2001 and was named the following year for William Zere Hickman, one of the city’s first historic preservationists. He lived from 1845 to 1921.

Awards will be given in four categories: building preservation, restoration and rehabilitation; distinguished service; distinguished volunteer; and visual enhancements (like landscaping, fences and signage).

Find guidelines and forms at www.independencemo.org/comdev/historicpreservation.aspx. Nominations should be mailed or delivered to: Historic Preservation Awards, Independence Heritage Commission, c/o City of Independence Historic Preservation Division, 111 E. Maple Ave., Independence, MO 64050.

Midtown KC

St. Pat’s Senior Ball: Again this year, the seven O’Neill brothers and their families and friends are sponsoring the annual St. Pat’s Senior Ball, hosted by the Redemptorist Center Senior Citizens Club. It’s in memory of the O’Neills’ father, St. Patrick’s Day Parade co-founder Pat O’Neill Sr.

The annual dance, featuring a swing band, folk singer Eddie Delahunt and dancers from the Driscoll School of Irish Dance , will be from 1 to 3 p.m. March 14, in the gymnasium of the Cristo Rey Kansas City high school, 211 W. Linwood Blvd.

Free parking and parking assistance will be available at the rear of the building.

Clubs or organizations wishing to attend as a group should RSVP to Julie O’Neill at 816-561-7555.

Lee’s Summit

Seminar for women: A seminar Saturday morning is geared toward women who want to be prepared for their older years.

“The 21st Century Woman: Planning for Aging Well” is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at MCC-Longview, 500 S.W. Longview Road. The seminar will focus on estate planning, long-term care planning, financial planning and organization.

“As their parents age, professional women are still expected to be caregivers. In addition, women have a tendency to live longer and no one is available to care for us unless there is a daughter willing to do so. Women are left holding the bag, both emotionally and financially,” Stana Martin of Mrs. LTC, Long Term Care Specialists, said in a news release. She is the organizer of the event.

To enroll, call 816-604-2030. The fee is $29.

South KC

Beautification: Kate Becker, program manager of Keep Kansas City Beautiful, an affiliate of Bridging The Gap, will speak at 7:30 a.m. March 8 about how her group assists neighborhoods with environmental and litter issues. The event is the monthly 2nd Friday meeting at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Road, sponsored by City Council members John Sharp and Scott Taylor. Among her topics is the March litter index, an effort to survey litter levels in Kansas City.

Independence

Remembering Laura Beth Reynolds: Laura Beth Reynolds died when she was 16 years old, killed in 2009 by a drunken driver going the wrong way on U.S. 24 in Independence. On May 11, her family will hold the 2nd Laura’s Run at Blue River Community College in Independence, to remember Reynolds and raise awareness about drunken driving.

The 5K run/walk is free this year. Sign up online at www.lbrun.com.