Around our towns: Sky lanterns in Independence, movies at Longview Lake, home for Summit Theatre Group
Sky lanterns a no-no in Independence
It’s now against the law in Independence to use so-called sky lanterns over the Fourth of July holiday.
In late May, the City Council banned the sale, possession and use of sky lanterns. They are small hot air balloons, typically made of paper or another combustible, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended.
A city news release said they are also known as Chinese lanterns, Kongming lanterns or sky candles.
The city said they are hazardous because they can ignite combustible vegetation or buildings and injure people and animals.
Theater group based at MCC-Longview
The Summit Theatre Group has a new place to call home: the Cultural Arts Center on the Metropolitan Community College-Longview campus.
Back in May, the Summit Theatre Group board agreed to hold three performances a year in the Cultural Arts Center’s 240-seat auditorium.
The theater group wasn’t looking for a home base, but the Cultural Arts Center, which also holds an art gallery, made the offer.
“They have their reasons, and we’re happy whatever the reasons are,” said Ben Martin, president of the Summit Theatre Group.
Now, he said, the group can give a location when people ask where the theater is located.
“It gives us a good, stable base to work from,” he said.
However, the group will still offer performances elsewhere, as it will with “Godspell” next month at Lee’s Summit Christian Church.
The Cultural Arts Center opened in 2008, and the arrangement gives it a foothold in the arts community.
“We were looking for a local group to have a local residency,” said Ryan Morehead, director of the center.
| Special to The Star
Sand Cinema at Longview Lake
Summer is a time for movies at Longview Lake Beach, which is home to Jackson County Parks and Recreation’s Sand Cinema.
The next installments are “Surf’s Up” on July 11 and ‘Despicable Me 2’ on July 25. Those who attend can enter to win a family trip for four to Disney World or Universal in Orlando, Fla.
The cost is $5 per car. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., and the movie starts at 9 p.m. or dusk. Learn more at www.MakeYourDayHere.com/events. The beach is at 11101 Raytown Road.
This story was originally published June 30, 2014 at 11:03 PM with the headline "Around our towns: Sky lanterns in Independence, movies at Longview Lake, home for Summit Theatre Group."