After grant, Roeland Park close to getting a Jorge Blanco sculpture for R Park
Roeland Park close to sculpture goal
After receiving a $5,000 grant from the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust, plus more than 300 other donations, Roeland Park says it’s only $3,000 away from financing a whimsical Jorge Blanco sculpture in R Park.
A private group is raising $56,000 for the colorful sculpture, depicting a figure on the run to symbolize revitalization in the area. It will installed next spring in the park at 5535 Juniper Drive, the first of seven public art pieces planned in the park.
To make a tax-deductible donation, write a check payable to Roeland Park Community Foundation with “R Park Sculpture” in the memo line.
Mail or deliver it to Roeland Park City Hall, 4600 W. 51st St., Roeland Park, KS 66205. Online donations can be made through roelandpark.net. Specify that it’s for the R Park sculpture.
People can also support the project by dining at Houlihan’s from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11. Fifteen percent of proceeds will be donated to the sculpture project if diners mention the promotion.
Recycling Extravaganza is Oct. 27
Overland Park, Leawood and Prairie Village are collaborating on the Fall Recycling Extravaganza, where residents can recycle just about anything on Oct. 27.
They can drop off electronics, reusable building materials, documents for shredding, musical instruments, mattresses, shoes, pet supplies, medications, furniture, clothing, toys and bicycles, among other items, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Black and Veatch World Headquarters, 11401 Lamar Ave.
Fees may be charged for some items. Get all the details at www.opkansas.org/events/fall-recycling-extravaganza.
‘Mame’ comes to Leawood stage
The Leawood Stage Company will present the Broadway musical “Mame” early next month in the Lodge at Ironwoods Park, 14701 Mission Road.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 4.
Based on the novel by Patrick Dennis and the play “Auntie Mame” by Lawrence and Lee, “Mame” centers on a flamboyant, eccentric woman who reinvents herself after the stock market crash of 1929.
The production will benefit CASA, court appointed special advocates for children in the child protection system. A benefit reception, costing $29.95, will be held before the Saturday night performance with all proceeds going to CASA.
Audience members also are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to any performance in exchange for popcorn and a soft drink.
Tickets for performances are sold in advance at www.leawoodstageco.org. Prices vary.
What’s next for Merriam civic property?
Now that the city is moving forward on a new community center in Vavra Park, Merriam is seeking volunteers to help figure out what do with the current site of the Irene B. French Community Center.
Through Oct. 31, the city is accepting applications from those who would like to serve on the 5701 Merriam Drive Steering Committee, named for the address of the community center. The mayor will make the appointments.
Applications are available at City Hall or at merriam.org.
Business honored for beautification
The Overland Park City Council has honored five businesses for their landscaping efforts.
Each year the city’s Legacy of Greenery Committee receives nominations for the honor, which is based on initial design, continued maintenance and preservation of current landscaping features. This year’s winners:
▪ Alaskan Fur, 9029 Metcalf Avenue.
▪ Savoy Apartments, 7100 W. 141st St.
▪ The Peanut on Santa Fe, 7938 Santa Fe Drive.
▪ The Village at Mission Farms, 4080 Indian Creek Parkway.
▪ The Ridge Apartments, 8900 W 102nd Terrace.
The Ridge Apartments received the “Award of Continued Landscape Excellence,” which recognizes previous award winners that exhibit continued efforts to maintain and enhance their landscape.
Leadership program in Shawnee
Nov. 16 is the deadline to apply for the next Shawnee Tomorrow Leadership program, which aims to equip people to take leadership roles in the city, county and state.
Participants must attend eight full-day classes and one half-day class from January to May 2019. Topics will include education, health care, economic development, community service and city, county and state government.
The $1,000 tuition covers the cost for materials, transportation and meals.
The program is sponsored by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Find more information under the Foundation tab at www.shawneekschamber.com. Those interested should call Mary Taylor at 913-631-6545.
3,000 pounds of trout going into county lakes
An unusual spectator sport in Johnson County is to watch park district crews stock two lakes with thousands of pounds of rainbow trout.
The fall stockings will happen Oct. 24 at each lake’s boat ramp. About 1,000 pounds of trout will be put into the water at Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, starting about 2:30 p.m. Around 3:45 p.m., workers will stock about 2,000 pounds of trout at Shawnee Mission Park, with an entrance 7900 Renner Road in Lenexa.
After stocking, both lakes will be closed to fishing until 5 a.m. Oct. 27. The rainbow trout program is funded by fees collected through the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s fishing and trout permits.
The next stockings will happen in late February and mid-March and late October.
Free fall festivals in Edgerton
Johnson County parks officials have scheduled two free events this Saturday for fall fun in the Edgerton area:
▪ Children 12 and under can pick out a pumpkin. Other offerings include a hayride, fire circle with marshmallows and stories, a petting zoo and putting green with kid-sized clubs. Refreshments include cider, cocoa and pancakes will they last.
Catch-and-release fishing also will be available. County fishing permits have been waived, but anyone 16 and older must have a Kansas fishing license.
Mildale Farm is located at 35250 W. 199th St. in Edgerton.
▪ A new event, the Lanesfield School Fall Open House, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic school house. Activities will hearken back to 1904.
Lanesfield School, at 18745 S. Dillie Road in Edgerton, is a one-room limestone schoolhouse that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s the last remaining structure in the former town of Lanesfield.
Free Halloween concert for kids
In collaboration with CYF Kansas City, the Overland Park Orchestra will present a free Children’s Halloween Concert at at 3 p.m. Oct. 27.
The performance, in Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College, will feature Stravinsky’s Suite from The Firebird. It will be played by the orchestra, with narration written by Catherine Trieschmann, spoken and danced by CYT Kansas City.
Children’s pre-concert activities begin at 2:30 p.m.
Re-enactment recalls ‘Bleeding Kansas’ era
A regional historical re-enactors group will take people back to Territorial Kansas later this month to experience the slavery debate during the “Bleeding Kansas” era before the Civil War.
This Interactive 1850s Kansas Town Hall Meeting is a new offering from the Johnson County Museum, at 8788 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. Featuring the Lecompton Reenactors, the event is scheduled for 11 a.m. Oct. 27.
After the town hall, participants can meet someone portraying James Lane, who would later become a U.S. senator and Union general during the Civil War.
The cost is regular museum admission of $5 per person for most adults, $4 for those 60 and older and, $3 for children 1 to 18. No advance registration is necessary.
Fancy basketball at SM South
Ticket prices range from $12 to $50. They are available at the door or at www.harlemwizards.com.
This story was originally published October 23, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "After grant, Roeland Park close to getting a Jorge Blanco sculpture for R Park."