City of Merriam announces annual high school art contest winners
The city of Merriam has announced the winners of the 21st annual High School Visual Art Competition, which took place at the Tim Murphy Art Gallery in Merriam.
First-place winners are Olivia Bond from Olathe Northwest for “Neglected Boots” (photography); Wyatt Carson from Lawrence for “Brown Hair Brown Eyes” (2D); Sophia Bowersock from Blue Valley West for “Protect, Defend, Adorn” (3D); and Genevieve Roberts from Free State in Lawrence for “Portrait” (computer-generated).
Second-place winners are Evan Manivong from Staley in photography, Sydney Haistings from Staley in 2D, Amber Lee from Fort Osage in 3D, and Kirstianna Guerrero from Lawrence Virtual School in the computer-generated category.
Third-place honors went to Zoey Schneeberg from Olathe East in photography, Shelby FitzSimmons from Lawrence Virtual High School in 2D, Lauren Wallgren from Lawrence Virtual in 3D, and Simon McCaffrey from Lawrence Free State in computer-generated.
More than 1,000 art pieces were submitted from 28 area high schools. The pieces accepted for the show will be displayed through Dec. 30 at the gallery, which is in the Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive.
Coffee with the Birds at Ernie Miller Nature Center
With leaves gone from the trees, winter is a good time for bird watching at Ernie Miller Nature Center, which offers a free program called “Coffee with the Birds” on Tuesday mornings starting Jan. 2.
The nine sessions, for ages 18 and older, run from 9 to 11 a.m. each week through Feb. 27.
No registration is required to see the chickadees, woodpeckers, juncos, cedar waxwings and other species commonly seen at the nature center’s feeders.
Leawood Council to review 135th Street plan
For those interested in development along 135th Street in Leawood, the City Council has scheduled a work session for 6 p.m. on Jan. 2 to review the 135th Street Corridor Plan that was adopted several years ago.
The public is invited, but no comments will be taken during the session, which will take place in the Main Conference Room at City Hall, 4800 Town Center Drive.
Gardner offers citizens’ academy in early 2018
Applications will be accepted through Jan. 12 for the fourth Gardner You! Citizen Academy class. The free seven-week program educates residents and business owners about the city government.
The class will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays starting Jan. 25 at City Hall. The academy also involves a tour of city facilities on April 6 and a graduation ceremony April 12.
The academy is open to Gardner residents and business owners 18 years of age or older. Five of the available 20 slots are reserved for students at Gardner Edgerton High School.
Students must provide a recommendation from a teacher or other faculty member.
Applications are available at City Hall, 120 E. Main St., or at www.gardnerkansas.gov/gardneryou.
Christmas tree disposal
Natural Christmas trees can be dropped off at a number of government locations after the holiday. In Olathe and Lenexa, they also can be recycled at the curb.
The Johnson County Park & Recreation District will accept discarded trees during regular park hours from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 at three spots:
▪ The parking lot at The Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park, with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road in Shawnee.
▪ The Heritage Park Marina parking lot, 16050 Pflumm Road in Olathe.
▪ The north side of the parking lot at the marina at Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane in Olathe.
Overland Park will accept trees during daylight hours Dec. 26 through Jan. 7 at four locations:
▪ Young’s Park, 7701 Antioch Road.
▪ Indian Creek Recreation Center, 10308 Marty St.
▪ Quivira Park, 11901 Quivira Road.
▪ The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St.
Lenexa has arranged two disposal options:
▪ Drop them from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 11 at the Little Mill Creek North Park parking lot, near 79th and Cottonwood streets.
▪ For a minimum donation of $10, Boy Scout Troop 136 will pick up a tree in Lenexa. Go to www.troop136.org to schedule one of three times — 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 30, noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31, or 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 6.
Olathe also offers two choices:
▪ Take them to the Composting Center at 1100 N. Hedge Lane.
▪ Recycle them at the curbside.
At all locations, decorations, wrapping, and tree stands must be removed before tree disposal.
Prairie Village police establish Bicycle Unit
The Prairie Village Police Department has created a two-officer Bicycle Unit to enhance community policing efforts and provide a police presence in some shopping areas, parks and trails that police vehicles can’t reach.
The city said the officers completed required training last summer with the International Police Mountain Bike Association in its most recent newsletter.
Compiled by Elaine Adams, Special to The Star
This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 12:52 AM with the headline "City of Merriam announces annual high school art contest winners."