Park University’s concert season resumes with special Johnson County performance
Husband-and-wife duo Ben Sayevich and Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich will perform at the 1900 Building in Johnson County, Kan., as part of the Park University International Center for Music’s annual concert series.
The couple — Ben plays violin and Lolita plays piano — is on the Center’s faculty at Park and have both performed internationally. The concert is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the 1900 Building, 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Mission Woods, Kan.
The program includes “Adagio in E Major, K. 261,” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; “Dances and Laments for Violin and Cello,” by Peter Fribbins with a guest appearance by cellist Daniel Veis, an assistant professor of music/cello; and “Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108,” by Johannes Brahms.
Tickets, which are $30 or $15 for students, may be purchased at 1900bldg.com/concerts/2017/7/24/benandlolita as well as at the door.
Legion Post plans job fair for veterans in Olathe
Veterans from throughout the Kansas City area, along with those transitioning out of the military, are invited to a job fair on Jan. 24 at American Legion Post 153.
Fifty local employers will be represented at the fair, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at the post, 410 E. Dennis Ave. in Olathe.
To register, go online to gokcjobs.com.
Kansas honors outstanding first-year teachers in Johnson County
The state of Kansas has recognized 32 educators for outstanding performance during their first year of teaching, including several from Johnson County schools.
Winners of the Kansas Horizon Award include:
▪ Sarah Broddle, Monticello Trails Middle School, and Katie Omo, Prairie Ridge Elementary School, in the De Soto School District.
▪ Christopher Hagedorn, Spring Hill High School.
▪ Melissa Kinzer, Chisholm Trail Middle School in the Olathe School District.
▪ Alexandria Mackenzie, Apache Innovative School in the Shawnee Mission School District.
▪ Michael Richards, Oxford Middle School, and Michaela Shandy, Blue River Elementary School, in the Blue Valley School District.
Kansas school districts are allowed to nominate one elementary and one secondary teacher for the honor. To be eligible, teachers must have completed their first year in the classroom.
Teachers compete in four regions that correspond to the state’s congressional districts. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers may be selected from each region.
Avian inspiration
“Learning to Soar,” by David Breneman, is now in place at Highlands Elementary School, 6200 Roe Ave. in Mission.
The piece was given to the school by the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017 Highlands graduating classes and the Highlands Community Education Foundation.
It was dedicated Jan. 4 “to all those students who want to fly, and the Highlands Hawks who help them find their wings.”
Sunday nature programs are affordable for families
The Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe has announced its family-friendly Sunday Nature Programs for February.
Presentations begin at 2 p.m., last about 45 minutes and cost $3 per person, payable at the center, which is located at 909 N. Kansas 7 in Olathe. Children under 2 are admitted free.
The lineup:
▪ Feb. 4: “Animal Clues,” dealing with tracks and other traces that animals leave behind.
▪ Feb. 11: “Laura’s Memories,” focusing on Laura Ingalls Wilder and her classic “Little House” books.
▪ Feb. 18: “I Heart Spiders,” with live ones up close.
▪ Feb. 25: “Wildlife Who’s Who,” where kids can meet an amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal and learn about similarities and differences.
Museum offers Kansas Day events
Two events on Jan. 27, suitable for all ages, will mark Kansas Day at the Johnson County Museum:
▪ In Meet the Animals of Kansas, at 10 a.m., participants will learn about the natural symbols of Kansas, including the American bison, tiger salamander and sunflower. They also can learn about the state flag and handle artifacts and live animals.
▪ Happy Birthday Kansas, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrates the state’s 157th birthday at the various museum exhibits, including the 1950s All-Electric House and KidScape. Activities and crafts are planned.
The museum is at 8788 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park. The programs are free with regular admission fees: $5 for most adults, $4 for ages 60 and over, and $3 for children.
Those who attend Meet the Animals of Kansas can stay for the birthday party at no additional charge.
Snow Ball on Jan. 20 benefits Catholic Charities
Nearly 2,000 people are expected Jan. 20 at the 44th annual Snow Ball, which began years ago as a potluck dinner and benefits the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas.
The event, at the Overland Park Convention Center, will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by a formal dinner. The Lost Wax band will provide music until midnight for dancing.
Mike and Susan Gangel of Leawood will receive special recognition for their support of Catholic Charities.
Snow Ball, which raises 50 percent of all private donations to Catholic Charities, supports the organization’s seven emergency assistance centers, eight food pantries and an array of other services that include adoption, hospice care and in-home assistance to older adults.
Individual tickets are $300. Register at catholiccharitiessnowball.org or by calling 913-433-2046.
Registration starts soon for summer camps
The year has just begun, but registration starts Jan. 29 for the roughly 60 summer-camp offerings that the Johnson County Park & Recreation District has planned for young children ages 3 to 18.
Full- and partial-day programs will be available.
By the end of the day on Jan. 22, a digital version of the 2018 Summer Camp Guide will be posted at www.jcprd.com.
Printed copies will be available the week of Jan. 29 at Johnson County libraries and all park system facilities.
Online registration begins at 6 a.m. on Jan. 29 with in-person registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Building D at Antioch Park, at 6501 Antioch Road in Merriam.
Fitness center expands at racquet club
An expanded fitness center, with new men’s and women’s locker rooms, has opened at the Overland Park Racquet Club, 6800 W. 91st St. The club is operating the fitness center in partnership with GreatLifeKC.
Current club members are automatically enrolled as “Fitness Plus” members at no extra charge. That includes privileges at some other GreatLife fitness centers and limited golf privileges at 12 area courses.
The club also is accepting new members at the “Fitness Plus” level for $20 a month. Upgraded memberships are available.
Compiled by Elaine Adams, Special to The Star
This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 7:01 AM with the headline "Park University’s concert season resumes with special Johnson County performance."