MAY - 2008

Summertime Arts & Crafts Festival is May 17 at Antioch Park

Arts and crafts of all types will be on display when the Johnson County Park and Recreation District conducts its twenty-third annual arts and crafts festival, The Summertime Arts & Craft Festival.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17 in Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road. Invited are artists of original works including drawing, painting, sculpture, fiber arts, woodcarving, jewelry, pottery, and folk arts.

This will be the eleventh year the arts and crafts festival is held in conjunction with Merriam's Turkey Creek Festival, also in Antioch Park on May 17. Other Festival activities will include: a pancake feed from 7 to 11 a.m., the "One Hill of a Run," a parade at 11 a.m., free concerts, a petting zoo, pedal boat rides, hands-on arts and crafts for kids, and giant air structures and inflatables.

Booth space for the arts and crafts show is still available. For more information, contact Fine Arts Coordinator Marsha Norman at (913) 631-7050 ext. 443. For information on other Festival events, go to wwww.merriam.org/park or call Merriam Parks and Recreation at (913) 322-5550.

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Johnson County Sailing Society to conduct first of two "Come Sail With Us" events on May 17

All sailors and sailing enthusiasts are invited to join the Johnson County Sailing Society for a special event on Saturday, May 17, at Shawnee Mission Park Lake, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa.

The free one-hour event is called "Come Sail With Us" and will take place beginning at noon at the Shawnee Mission Park Marina, 7900 Renner Road, located near the marina.

Participants should bring a sack lunch and dine with Sailing Society members. Following lunch, there will be an opportunity to sail a variety of vessels while participating in water activities like mock races or a sailing scavenger hunt. The society will conduct another "Come Sail With Us" event on June 28.

For more information, or to participate in Sailing Society races, please contact Nick Hockman at (913) 268-5683.

Water levels in Shawnee Mission Park Lake have returned to normal levels thanks to spring rains after being lowered by as much as nine feet in 2007 for lake-related projects including the installation of a wetlands on the lake's east end.

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Registrations being taken for Bikesource Duathlon & Triathlon at Heritage Park on May 18

Registration deadlines are approaching for the BikeSource Duathlon and Triathlon at Heritage Park, which will take place beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, in Heritage Park, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe.

The BikeSource Triathlon consists of a one-third mile swim, followed by an 11.5-mile bike, and a three-mile run on a relatively flat course. The triathlon is open to all individuals ages 15 and over, with participants competing in five-year age groups from 15 years to 90 and above. Team categories include: men, women, coed, family, and corporate. Two- and three-person teams will again be accepted.

The BikeSource Duathlon consists of a two-mile run, followed by a 11.5-mile bike, and a three-mile run. The last two legs of the event take place on the same courses as the triathlon. The duathlon is open only to individuals, not teams.

Registration fees for either event are $55 for individuals and $80 for triathlon teams if postmarked by Tuesday, May 7. After this date, late fees will be assessed as follows: registrations postmarked between May 5 and 7 will be $65 for individuals and $90 for teams, and registrations turned in May 7 through race day are $75 and $100. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked no later than May 7, while the deadline for fax and online registrations is also May 7. Each entrant will receive a T-shirt and a swim cap. This event is limited to 500 entries and typically fills one week prior to race day.

The BikeSource Duathlon and Triathlon is a special event of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District and is sponsored by BikeSource; Drs. Hawks, Besler & Rogers; Enhanced Vision Center; Smoothie King; the Think Fit Foundation; Radio Stations 810 WHB, and Hot Talk AM 1510; Tri-KC Triathlon Club; and KC Multisport. Proceeds from the triathlon and duathlon will benefit the Kansas City Blazers Competitive Swim Team.

For more information or a registration form, call (913) 831-3359. Registrations are being taken on-line at www.sportkc.org. Event brochures with complete details are available at www.jcprd.com/activities/special_events.cfm.

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Roeland Park Aquatic Center to close for summer preparations

The Roeland Park Aquatic Center will close to the public for portions of two weeks as annual preparations are made for the facility's summer season.

The RPAC, which is located at 4843 Rosewood just east of the Roeland Park Community Center, will be closed from May 12 through 16 and will have limited hours for lap swimming only from May 19 through 23. During this time, Johnson County Park and Recreation District staff will take down the air-supported dome which covers the 50-meter main pool from September through May. It takes 30 to 40 people, working on tarps used to temporarily cover the pool, to move and fold the 6,800 pounds of fabric which makes up the dome.

When it reopens to the general public on May 24 just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, the RPAC will have been converted to an aquatic theme park featuring not only the main pool but a number of other facilities located outside the dome, which are only operated during the summer months. These include: a 120-foot water slide, an eight-foot wide group slide, a Vortex Pool for inner tubes complete with a concrete volcano that periodically "erupts," and a separate youth pool with a slide and "lemon drop" sprayers.

The cost for individual admission for ages three through 49 is $6 for Johnson County residents or $6.50 for nonresidents. The cost for ages 50 and older is $5 for Johnson County residents or $5.50 for nonresidents. There is no cost for ages 2 and under. Season and annual passes as well as multiple-visit punch cards are also available, with costs depending on age and city of residence. Summer open swim sessions are held daily Monday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Several special events, including a "Splash for Cash" on July 4 are being planned this summer. The facility is also available for birthday parties.

For information on current happenings at the facility, call the pool hotline at (913) 312-8838 or call the pool at (913) 432-1377.

The RPAC is owned by the City of Roeland Park and is operated by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. For specific information on dome-removal plans, please call Aquatics Coordinator Bruce Perry at (913) 432-7773.

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Dine, Dish and Of Course....Dessert event for Red Hatters is May 22 at Roeland Park Community Center

Dine, Dish and of Course....Dessert is the name of an event for area Red Hatters being offered in late May by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Participants will gather for an evening of good times, laughter, and great Italian food. Red Hatters will have an opportunity to share about their group and meet more their "sisters." If you're not currently a member of the Red Hat Society, please call (913) 826-3160 for more information about what this group is all about. Search for the keywords "special event" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

Dine, Dish and of Course....Dessert will take place on Thursday, May 22 at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood, Roeland Park. The cost for one two-hour-hour event is $12 per person Preregistration is required.

The JCPRD's ACTIVITIES catalog, with information and a registration form, is available for pickup at all Johnson County Library branches. For more information or to register, call (913) 831-3359. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

While the JCPRD's 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the District's Registration Department at (913) 831-3359, and if space is available without forfeiting the place of a person over 50, their registration can be taken.

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Openings remain for Outdoor Discovery Camp at Shawnee Mission Park

Letting children have experiences exploring wild places, building forts in the forest, and developing a closeness to nature are among goals of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's Outdoor Discovery Camp being offered this summer at Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa.

This program is for ages six through 12. Participants will have fun learning about the great outdoors through hikes, environmental games, nature crafts, and more. Other camp features include enriching stories by our storytellers, swimming, boating, fishing, and archery. This program is offered weekly from May 27 through July 28. Each week, there will also be an educational field trip to complement the weekly camp themes which range from pirates, to orienteering, to dinosaurs, to climate change, to water. This camp is fully licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the counselor-to-camper ratio will be 10-to-1 or better. Search for the keyword "camp" to find this program in the JCPRD's ACTIVITIES Catalog and online listings.

Camp activities begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For the convenience of working parents, supervision will be provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Children should bring swimming gear, a nutritious sack lunch and drink, and a canteen. Camp will meet at Shawnee Mission Park's Shelter #12 located at 7838 Beach Drive at the northeast end of the lake. Outdoor Discovery Camp is also offered this summer at Ernie Miller Park in Olathe, but those sessions have already filled and waiting lists are forming. Enrollment at Shawnee Mission Park is limited to 48 campers per week. The cost for five eight-hour sessions is $103 per child for Johnson County Residents or $113 for nonresidents. Camp fees are nonrefundable.

For more information, call the Nature Center at (913) 764-8580 ext. 23 or 27. The Johnson County Park and Recreation District's ACTIVITIES catalog, with information and a registration form, is available for pick-up at all Johnson County Library branches. Camp registrations are accepted online at www.jcprd.com or by mail, fax, or in-person at the JCPRD Registration Office at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam. No phone registrations will be accepted.

An orientation session will take place beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at Shawnee Mission Park Shelter #12 and will cover camp policies, paperwork and general information.

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Middleton is JCPRD's new Planning and Development Manager

Longtime Johnson County Park and Recreation District Landscape Architect Cliff Middleton has been promoted to Planning and Development Manager.

Middleton officially stepped into his new position on April 14. This follows the promotion of former Planning and Development Manager Bill Maasen to Superintendent of Parks and Golf Courses effective March 24. With the move, Middleton became a member of the District's ten-member Administrative Staff.

"After interviews of both internal and external candidates, it became quite clear that the best candidate was right here already," said Executive Director Michael Meadors. "Cliff’s 21 years as the District’s Landscape Architect provides him with all the knowledge and history to ensure the continued oversight of all District renovations and future developments."

Middleton said pursuing this position seemed like a logical career progression.

"I can continue to have a positive impact on the District’s facilities and parks," he said. "The Planning and Development staff is a great team that I am proud to be associated with. I have spent the last 21 years engaged in the complex issues of developing and renovating our park and recreation facilities."

Middleton anticipates environmental issues will have a major impact on the District's Planning and Development Department in the coming years.

"We will be mandated by both public opinion and government regulation to be more environmentally responsible with our future developments," he said. "We need to evaluate our entire planning, construction, and maintenance processes to lessen the impact on both our natural resources and the resources used to construct our buildings, structures, and facilities."

Resource preservation and restoration is another challenge he identified.

"Our parks are suffering from their popularity," Middleton said. "You can easily see the wear and impacts from high use in many of our parks and facilities. Our challenge will be finding ways to keep our natural areas beautiful and our older recreation facilities safe and inviting on limited budgets."

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Middleton holds a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from Kansas State University. Before coming to the District, he worked for about three years in the planning department of the City of Overland Park, and about two and one-half years with the Olathe Park and Recreation Department. Among his accomplishments during his time with the District is the design of the first phase of development of Kill Creek Park, which opened in November 2001, and his work on a Geographic Information System (GIS) for the District.

Middleton is a registered and licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Kansas and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the National Recreation and Park Association.

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Join the Library Summer Reading Club

The 2008 summer reading clubs at Johnson County Library begin on Tuesday, May 27 and run through Saturday, August 2. This year, readers and listeners of all ages are encouraged to investigate the exciting world of books by keeping a log of books read and by attending library programs throughout the summer.

The theme for kids in fifth grade and under is Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library; grades six and up may participate in Blow Your Mind: Metamorphosis@ Your Library. Reading logs are available at all Johnson County Library locations or may be printed from the Library’s summer reading Web site, www.jocolibrary.org/summerreading.

Summer reading program participants set their own goals for summer reading, record their books on their reading logs, and return the logs to the library July 14- August 2. Participants who complete the program will receive a free paperback book while supplies last. Weekly prize drawings will also be held during the summer at each library location. The summer reading clubs are supported by a generous donation from the Friends of the Johnson County Library.

For more information about Johnson County Library summer programs check the library’s web site: www.jocolibrary.org or pick up an activity calendar any Johnson County Library location.

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Kansas City Literary Festival

The Johnson County Library will host author visits in conjunction with the Kansas City Literary Festival. Dana Stabenow and Gail Giles will appear at Johnson County Library locations as follows:

Meet Dana Stabenow
Friday, May 16 2:00 p.m.
Central Resource Library
9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, (913) 495-2466

Best-selling mystery author Dana Stabenow will talk about her life in Alaska as well as her life as a mystery author. Don’t miss an opportunity to meet this great author in person. I Love a Mystery Book Store will be on hand selling books. Dana will be available for signing after her presentation.

Meet Gail Giles
Friday, May 16, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Blue Valley Neighborhood Library
9000 W. 151st St. • Overland Park, KS 66221 (913) 495-3850

Meet Gail Giles, author of young adult novels Shattering Glass, Right Behind You, What Happened to Cass McBride?, and Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters. Her debut novel, Shattering Glass, was an ALA Best of the Best Book, a Book Sense 76 selection, and a Booklist Top 10 Mystery for Youth selection. She is a former high school teacher who grew up in Texas and now lives there happily with her husband, two dogs and three cats. Gail has one son and two grandsons. Borders will have books available for purchase and signing at the program.

The Johnson County Library and Friends of the Library will also have a booth (#405 located in the 400 block of Nichols Road) at the Kansas City Literary Festival. Authors who will be at the booth include: Dana Stabenow, Andrea Warren, William Colby, Sally Goldenbaum, and Jeannine Fox.

The 2008 Kansas City Literary Festival (KCLF) which is in its second year is scheduled for May 17, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Country Club Plaza. The 2008 festival will feature approximately 100 authors--both highly acclaimed national authors in addition to quality local and regional authors. The festival will feature six stages: the main stage, the popular kids' stage and activity area, a poetry stage, a specialty authors' stage, a culinary stage and, new this year, a panels and workshops' stage. Admission is free. For more information on the Kansas City Literary Festival visit www.kansascitylitfest.org.

Interpretive services and other accommodations for those with special needs are available for Library programs. Please request from library staff 48 hours or more in advance of scheduled event. Library programs are open to the public and free of charge

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First of Two Presentations of T.A.K.E. Self Defense Program on the Field at Kauffman Stadium is May 17

Two dates have been scheduled this year for presentation of The Ali Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E.) Seminars on the playing field at Kauffman Stadium. The Kansas City Royals, 98.1 KUDL, and the Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) have teamed to present these free programs

The first seminar will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on May 17, while the second will start at 9 a.m. on Aug. 16. KUDL’s Darcie Blake will kick off both classes. Both seminars will take place on Saturdays when the Royals are out of town. Participants are being asked to complete a registration form they can find online at http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/community/take_defense.jsp and bring it with them, but officials said walk-in participants will be accepted at both sessions on the day of the event.

Those planning to attend are asked to enter the stadium through Gate 2, park in Lot A, and proceed to Gate B. In case of inclement weather on the day of the event, those planning to attend are asked to call (913) 236-1290 to be advised of cancellation or rescheduling of the event.

The T.A.K.E. self-defense program represents a living legacy in honor of Ali Kemp, a 19-year-old Leawood resident who was murdered while working as a lifeguard at a neighborhood pool in Johnson County. The goal of the program is to raise awareness and to give women ages 12 and older the self-protection skills they need to avoid becoming victims of violent crime.

JCPRD Corporate and Community Wellness Manager Jill Leiker said the first half-hour of the class, consisting of verbal instruction and talk about safety awareness, will take place with participants in the stands and with Leiker and her staff standing on top of a dugout. For the hands-on training portion, Leiker will move to a stage on second base and participants will move onto the field. Leiker said she does not know what to expect attendance-wise, but hopes to draw at least 1,000 people for each session. The program has been presented to more than 26,000 women and girls since mid-2004.

Arrangements for the stadium sessions were made by a friend of Ali Kemp in response to a comment from Leiker. "I told her 'wouldn't it be cool if someday, we could do training at either Arrowhead (stadium) or at Kauffman Stadium?' " Leiker said. "I didn't know that she had a connection at Kauffman Stadium."

Not only were Royal's officials interested, they took it a step further and produced a Royals Charities Calendar, called a KCasual Look, which features Royals players in casual poses. This calendar retails for $10 each and will be sold at games. The T.A.K.E. Foundation will receive proceeds from calendar sales.

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Sailing I Class offered for adults beginning May 27

Learn the basic skills of sailing through a class being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Sailing I is for ages 18 and older. Participants will learn about types of boats, launching techniques, docking, maintenance, and safety. Search for the keyword "boating" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

Sailing I consists of two indoor lecture sessions and four water sessions. The indoor sessions will take place beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 29, at the John Barkley Visitors Center near the entrance to Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee. The water sessions will take place at 9 a.m. on four consecutive Saturdays beginning May 31 at Shawnee Mission Park Lake. The cost for six two-hour sessions $61 per person for Johnson County residents or $67 per person for nonresidents.

The JCPRD's ACTIVITIES catalog, with information and a registration form, is available for pick-up at all Johnson County Library branches. For more information or to register, call (913) 831-3359. To register online and for updated program listings, see the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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13th Annual In Step and In Shape Walk & Health Expo is May 28

Join a celebration of good health and fitness for mature active adults when the Johnson County Park and Recreation District presents its 13th annual In Step and In Shape Walk and Health Expo on May 28. As in 2007, this year's event, including check-in, will take place at the Ritz Charles, 9000 W. 137th, Overland Park, and the walk will be at the nearby Deanna Rose Farmstead.

Walk participants will check in at the Ritz Charles between 8 and 9 a.m., while the health screenings and expo will take place starting at 9 a.m. Participants can walk their choice of 1.5 or 3 miles on the scenic trails surrounding the Deanna Rose Farmstead followed by the health screenings and expo at the Ritz Charles. Lunch will be provided by the Ritz Charles and this year's speaker is famed author and Kansas City Star Columnist Charles W. Gusewelle. Nearly 20 businesses and agencies will be part of this year's screenings and expo. Lunch will start at 11 a.m., followed by Gusewelle at noon. Search for the keyword "walk" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

The cost for this five-hour event is $14 per person, which includes lunch and a T-shirt. Preregistration is required.

The JCPRD's ACTIVITIES catalog, with information and a registration form, is available for pick-up at all Johnson County Library branches. For more information or to register, call (913) 831-3359. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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Pickleball Intramurals offered every Tuesday at Matt Ross Community Center

Weekly Pickleball Intramurals are offered every Tuesday morning at the Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park. This program is offered by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Pickleball is a cross between tennis, badminton, and table tennis played on a court with two players per side who use a wiffleball and paddles. Two courts are available each Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to play Pickleball. There is a suggested donation of $2 per person per day to play. No advance registration is required for this program.

For questions about the program, call (913) 642-6410. Search for the keyword "pickleball" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings. The JCPRD's ACTIVITIES catalog, with information and a registration form, is available for pickup at all Johnson County Library branches.

While the JCPRD's 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the District's Registration Department at (913) 831-3359, and if space is available without forfeiting the place of a person over 50, their registration can be taken.

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