Park hosts lecture on same-sex ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage will be the focus at Park University’s Constitution Day lecture at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Mark Graber, the Jacob A. France Professor of Constitutionalism at the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law will speak on “One-and-a-Half Cheers for Obergefell v. Hodges.”
The lecture will be held in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the University’s campus.
Admission is free and open to all.
In a press release Graber noted that Americans who are committed to marriage equality have obvious reasons to be pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. “Nevertheless, various reasons exist for progressives to temper their enthusiasm.”
Those reasons according to Graber, are: the consistent unwillingness of more liberal justices to write an opinion in a major case; the concern that progressive legal decisions may weaken the coalitions necessary for a progressive constitutional politic; and “…the increased tendency of the Supreme Court over the past 40 years to protect vigorously the dignitary interests of the upper-middle class with being largely indifferent to the material deprivations of less fortunate Americans.”
Constitution Day celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens.
The lecture is hosted by the University’s Department of History Political Science and legal Studies.
Nehemiah Fest comes to Smithville Lake
The festival is promoted as the Midwest’s largest independent Christian music event. Last year about 3,000 people attended throughout the weekend.
The festival will feature music by nearly 50 Christian bands on four stages including national acts John Elefante, Bread of Stone and Brandon Estelle. Local bands include Lester Estelle, 9th Hour, Jeannie Furst & Furst Light, The Center State, Bearing Armor, Alex Sons & 2819 Crew, Project 15:16, Undergrad and Whosoever Will.
The family-friendly event will also feature a petting zoo, inflatables, children’s activities, food and vendors. New this year is the Nehemiah Fling, a disc golf tournament on Saturday. Camping is available on site for RVs, modern sites and tent camping.
The festival is the brainchild of David Lin, a worship leader of Smithville’s Grace Community Church and lead singer for 9th Hour, a Christian rock band. The festival is named after Nehemiah of the Old Testament.
“Nehemiah was just a regular guy. He saw that the city (Jerusalem) lay in ruin, the gates were burning and the walls destroyed. The residents were exposed to the dangers that lurked outside the city limits. They had been in danger for so long; they had become numb to their surroundings,” Lin said. “Nehemiah rallied the community to rebuild the city. That is our goal with this event – to rebuild our communities, restore our families and join together to bring our collective time, talents and treasure to bear on the task at hand.”
The first band plays at 4 p.m. on Sept. 18. The festival concludes following a worship service hosted by Grace Community Church at 10:30 am on Sept. 20.
To reserve a campsite, to volunteer, or for more information, go to nehemiahfest.com.
Contact Lin at 816-645-1982 or e-mail nehemiah@nehemiahfest.com.
Dog Swim Parties
Two Dippin’ Dogs Swim Parties have been scheduled by Kansas City Parks and Recreation.
The Northland swim party is Saturday at The Springs Aquatic Center, 9400 N. Congress Ave., Kansas City, North, and is a benefit for The Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS).
The first swim is for small (under 40 pounds) and senior dogs from 10 a.m. to noon.
Two swims are planned for large dogs (40 pounds and over): noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Large dog sessions will be limited to 100 dogs.
“It’s crazy. It’s very popular, that’s why we have added even another session this year,” said Heidi Downer, Marketing and Events Manager for Kansas City Parks and Recreation. “It’s been increasing in popularity every year. Weather doesn’t seem to matter either; a wet dog is a wet dog.”
Cost is $10 per dog. All dogs must be supervised by an adult. There is a limit of two dogs per person. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Microchipping will also be available from NAWS for $25 during the swim party at The Springs.
A second Dippin’ Dogs Swim party is Sunday at The Bay Water Park at 7101 Longview Road, Kansas City. Only one session is planned, noon to 2 p.m. All dogs attending The Bay Water Park party will receive a treat bag from Three Dog Bakery!
“We encourage everybody to pre register. It makes the process a lot easier, they will be able to come to the front of the line,” said Downer.
To register in advance go to kcparks.org.
Outdoor fashion show
Historic Downtown Liberty is sponsoring “Ooh La La,” a fashion show at the city hall fountain 6-7 p.m. Thursday.
Twelve downtown businesses are participating and will have models wearing clothing and jewelry items from children’s and women’s clothing to sportswear and martial arts gear.
“Following the style show the guests are encouraged to go to all the different participating businesses and look around the shops,” said Vicki Vance, executive director of Historic Downtown Liberty.
The event is free.
The city hall fountain is at Kansas and Water Street in historic downtown Liberty.
Liberty Community Christmas Tree Program
The Liberty Community Christmas Tree program will accept applications Sept. 14 to Oct. 16.
The program provides food and gifts for needy families and older adults during the holiday season.
Last year 268 families with 705 children, as well as 124 other households were assisted.
Anyone living within the Liberty School District boundaries is eligible for assistance. School-aged children must be enrolled in the district. Home-schooled children must be registered in an official LPS extra-curricular activity. Enrollment will be confirmed.
The program is made possible through donations of food and money by the community.
More than $30,000 was donated last year for the program. Hundreds of volunteers gave nearly 1,000 hours to sort non-perishable goods, shop for gifts and make deliveries.
Food drives to benefit the program will be held throughout the community.
A few weeks before Christmas each household in the program will be given several large boxes of non-perishable food, along with milk, eggs and a turkey.
Applicants can apply online at www.ci.liberty.mo.us/LCCT or call 816-439-4424. Late applications will not be accepted.
To volunteer as a shopper, sorter, or to make deliveries call 816-439-4424.
| Norma King, Special to The Star
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