Tri-County Mental Health Services offers training to those who work with youth to spot signs of depression

Sculptor Jacob Burmood with Plumb Twisted, a sculpture made of steel, fiberglass, resin, red iron oxide and graphite. The work is the first of three sculptures to be chosen for the Public Arts Sculpture Program. It will be on display at a park near the Clay County Archives in Liberty for one year. Photo provided

Youth Mental Health First Aid

A class on Youth Mental Health First Aid will be hosted by Tri-County Mental Health Services Aug. 29 at Maple Woods Community College.

Anyone working with youth is invited to attend the eight-hour training on providing help to young people experiencing mental health problems.

“People should be able to understand more about how to recognize potential warning signs exhibited by youth with mental health issues, as well as risk factors/warning signs for suicide,” said Kelsey Prather, youth suicide prevention specialist with Tri-County.

“Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training that helps reduce the level of stigma often associated with mental health disorders.”

Topics include signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders, and reacting appropriately when youth experience mental health crisis.

Prather estimates the value of the training at $170.

The class runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes lunch.

Parkville electronics recycling

Parkville will hold an electronics recycling drive Aug. 8 in the Parkville City Hall parking lot, 8880 Clark Ave.

The event is open to everyone, regardless of residency.

Items will be accepted 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or until the truck is full.

Midwest Recycling Center will accept most electronic items using a cord or battery, whether they are working or not.

Most items are accepted free, although fees are charged for CRT items and other items such as: CRT Monitors, $5; CRT TVs $30-$50; wood console and big screen/projection TVs, $50; LED/LCD/Plasma TVs, $10; Freon containing devices, $10.

For information call Parkville City Hall at 816-741-7676.

Art sculpture

Plumb Twisted, a sculpture created by Jacob Burmood, was unveiled by the artist and city dignitaries July 17 near the Clay County Archives on Franklin Street.

Burmood was the first recipient of a $1,000 honorarium through Liberty’s new Public Arts Sculpture Program. Funding for the program comes from the new transient guest tax which allows for the purchase of one sculpture a year. Burmood’s work will be on display for one year unless the city purchases it.

The city plans to install two more sculptures in the fall. Interested artists should go to libertymissouri.gov/2613/Public-Art-Sculpture-Program for information and an application. The deadline is Sept. 29.

Plumb Twisted is made of steel, fiberglass, resin, red iron oxide and graphite sculpture.

Food Truck Festival

Kansas City Parks and local food truck vendors are collaborating in support of the city’s fountains with several Food Truck Festivals this summer and fall.

On Aug. 10, the Northland Fountain in Anita B. Gorman Park will be the site of a Food Truck Festival with food, music and family activities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The park is at North Holmes Street and Northeast Vivion Road.

Missouri Detour will provide the music and various city food trucks will offer their wares.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the City of Fountains Foundation.

Other Food Truck Festivals are: Sept. 14, Concourse Fountain in Kessler Park, Benton Boulevard and St. John Ave., 5:30-7:30 p.m., featuring Pablo Sanhueza Latin Quintet; and Oct. 12, National World War I Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., music by Cantaloupe City.

Student exhibit

An exhibit featuring the work of Park University art and graphic design students and alumni opens Aug. 4 at the University’s Campanella Gallery.

The exhibit will feature students in the Special Topics in Art or Design class. An artist’s reception is planned 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 18.

Featured student artists are: Jennifer DeFreece, Kansas City, sculptures; Astrid Gonzalez, Liberty, watercolor portraits; Abigail Ranes, Liberty, oil on canvas; Steve Smith, Kansas City, paint media portraits. Alumni artists also featured are Marie Brink, Columbia, mixed media portraits; and Persis Grubbs, Kansas City, acrylic paintings.

“Each artist was encouraged to explore their artistic vision and expression, and the results are unique expressions that highlight the talent and interests of the artists,” said Andrea Lee, director of Campanella Gallery, in a press release.

The exhibit is free and open to the public through Sept. 29.

Campanella Gallery is in the Norrington Center. Gallery hours through Aug. 13 are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday; after Aug. 14, hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The building will be closed Sept. 4.

Norterre announces leaders

Laura Mullennix and Connie Michaelis have joined the Norterre leadership team.

Mullennix is the new community development manager of the multigenerational community. She has more than 15 years of experience in sales and marketing, including roles in healthcare.

Michaelis is a lifestyle consultant with Norterre. She has worked in the senior sales industry and enjoys helping people make positive transitions in their lives.

The first phase of Norterre, located near Liberty Hospital, will open this fall.

“This inclusive neighborhood will allow people of all generations to feel welcomed, understood and empowered as they work together to achieve their full potential,” said Mullennix in a press release.

For information go to norterre.org.

Norma King, Special to The Star

This story was originally published July 25, 2017 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Help spot the warning signs of suicidal youth."