FEBRUARY - 2007

KC Wildlands Sets Feb. 25 Workday at Ernie Miller Park and Other Metro Park Sites

"Long Johns and Loppers" is the theme for a Kansas City Wildlands workday been scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ernie Miller Park, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe.

Interested parties are invited to assist with land stewardship during this winter workday in the form of treating and removal of invasive and exotic woody plants that threaten a natural prairie remnant. The prairie remnant, which consists of about five acres, is located along Ernie Miller Park's highway frontage south of the main entrance of the park.

Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather. Some tools will be provided on-site, but participants are encouraged to bring their own loppers or small saws. If the temperature is below 25 degrees or if there is snow or rain, call the number below on that day to confirm the workday has not been postponed.

Also on Feb. 25, simultaneous workdays will take place at Jackson County Parks and Recreation's Blue River Glades Natural Area in south Kansas City, and at Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation's Hidden Valley Park Natural Area.

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District has conducted in similar works at Ernie Miller Park and other locations in the past in conjunction with KC WildLands, a "conservation coalition protecting biological diversity through citizen-based restoration of Kansas City's natural communities." Other charter members of the group include park and recreation agencies throughout the area, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and Kansas Wildlife and Parks.

For additional information or to register for the May 17 workday, please call KC Wildlands Coordinator, Linda Lehrbaum at (816) 561-1061 x116 or e-mail at linda@bridgingthegap.org.

An additional workday at Ernie Miller Park is scheduled for May 5.

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New Poolates Water Pilates Exercise Class Offered for 50 Plus in Late February

Combining the elements of mat and apparatus-based Pilates programs with the resistance provided by water is the goal of a new Poolates class being offered in late February by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Poolates participants will learn and apply the basic principles of the Pilates method including: centering, control, precision, fluidity, breathing, and concentration. This effective and challenging program is meant to soothe the mind and spirit. Search for the keywords "water pilates" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

This program is offered by Instructor Christine Ghrist and will take place at 11:30 a.m. beginning Feb. 28 at the Rose Estates, 12701 Antioch, Overland Park. The cost for seven 50-minute sessions is $42 per person for Johnson County residents or $46 for nonresidents.

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.

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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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Spring Nature Walks for 50 Plus Begin Feb. 28 with Trip to Little Blue Trace

Little Blue Trace in south Kansas City will be the first of six destinations to be visited this year as part of Spring Nature Walks being offered by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. These walks are meant to give participants an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and make new friends while following trails through state parks and natural treasures. Participants can choose one or all of the six spring walks.

The Little Blue Trace walk is considered an easy walk and will take place on Feb. 28. This scenic hiking and biking trail follows the Little Blue River from Longview Lake north to Blue Mills Road.

Spring Walks are led by Instructor Sherry Hughes. All walks depart at 9 a.m. from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam. In case of rain, the walk will be rescheduled for the following week. The cost for each five-hour outing, including van transportation to the walk site, is $15 per person for Johnson County residents or $16 for nonresidents. Participants should bring a sack lunch. If the weather interferes with plans during the day of the walk , lunch will be at a local restaurant and participants will be responsible for this expense. Search for the keyword "nature walks" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

Other spring walk dates and destinations are: March 14, Parkville, Mo.; March 28, Marais de Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge in Linn County, Kan.; April 11, Weston, Mo.; April 19, Knob Noster, Mo., and May 3, Osawatomie, Kan.

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.

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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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Nominations Open for 6th Annual Pinnacle Award For Excellence in the Arts

The Johnson County Library Foundation is seeking public nominations for the 2007 Pinnacle Award presented annually to a significant artist whose work influences the cultural well-being of the community. Artists to be considered may include authors, choreographers, composers, playwrights, screenwriters, dancers, musicians, actors, music directors, visual artists, painters, sculptors, ceramists, photographers, and arts advocates including founders and supporters.
Criteria for the Pinnacle Award are:

• Must be a Kansas City area artist, i.e. born in the seven county metro area, or have spent at least 10 of the artist’s first 18 years in the area, or is a current resident of the metro area.
• Impact of the nominee’s art on the community, on cultural awareness and understanding
• Recognized for their art locally, regionally and nationally
• Community involvement – how the artist gives back and contributes to the well-being of the community
• Any connections with the Johnson County Library should be noted

Past Pinnacle Award Honorees are: Joe McGuff, sportswriter and former editor of the Kansas City Star; James Hamil, watercolor artist; and Charles W. Gusewelle, author and Kansas City Star columnist, Gary R. Holcombe, actor and founding member of the KC Actors Theater and Cynthia Levin, Producing Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre.

The public is invited to submit nominees for the Pinnacle Award in a written narrative noting the artist’s professional career; supporting documentation regarding their work; complete contact information for the artist; and submitter’s name, address and phone number. Deadline for nominations is April 1, 2007. Nominations should be mailed to:

Johnson County Library Foundation
PO Box 2933
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-1333

A copy of the nomination form may be downloaded from the Johnson County Library Foundation website:

http://www.jocolibraryfoundation.org or picked up at the nearest Johnson County Library location. All nominations will be considered by the Pinnacle Award committee, appointed by the Johnson County Library Foundation.

For further information contact Linda K. Off, Executive Director of the Library Foundation at (913) 495-7579 or OffL@jocolibrary.org.

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Just My Speed Water Exercise Class Offered by 50 Plus Program

Just My Speed is the name of an exercise program which has been specially designed for people who cannot endure sustained activity. This program is cosponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and is being offered in early March by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

This program includes exercises to improve participant's overall function and performance of daily tasks, mobility, gait, independence, flexibility, balance, and coordination. This program is taught by Instructor Michelle Warner and is appropriate for individuals with MS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other related conditions, as well as for sedentary adults who are generally deconditioned. The water temperature ranges between 79 and 83 degrees. Search for the keywords "water exercise" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

Just My Speed will meet at 10 a.m. Friday beginning March 2 at the Roeland Park Aquatic Center, 4843 Rosewood, Roeland Park. The cost for seven 50-minute sessions is $23 per person for Johnson County residents or $25 for nonresidents. There will be no classes the week of May 14.

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.

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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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Storybook Tales Theater Program Offered for Youth Begins March 3

Storybook Tales Theater is the name of a beginning drama program for youth being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Designed for young thespians ages five through seven, this program will help develop participants' imaginations as they have fun. Each week, a different storybook tale will be acted out. Search for the keyword "theater" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

Storybook Tales will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday beginning March 3 at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood, Roeland Park. Class cost for two 60-minute sessions is $22 per person for Johnson County residents or $24 per person for nonresidents. 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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Bird House Workshop Offered for Families on March 3

Attract birds like wrens and chickadees to your yard by putting up a birdhouse you and your family can build through a Bird House Workshop being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

This workshop is for ages five and up with an adult. Interpretive staff at the Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, will help participants construct the bird houses and share insights about birds and ways of attracting them. Participants should bring a hammer and screwdriver. Search for the keyword "birds" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

The workshop will take place beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, at the Nature Center. The cost for one 90-minute session is $15 for Johnson County residents or $17 for nonresidents. Each family or registrant will complete one nest box. 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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Adults Can Learn to Coach Youth Soccer Through New Program

One of the most respected and experienced soccer training organizations in the United States, Challenger British Soccer Camps, is offering camps for new and existing coaches through the Johnson County Park and Recreation District in early March.

Challenger British Soccer Coaches - A Guide for Coaching is for ages 18 and older. The clinic will cover areas such as organizing practices, technical and tactical drills, systems of play, pointers on controlling parents, age-specific drills and progression of a session, and working with referees.

Two sessions relating to the coaching of different age groups are offered on March 3. Both will take place at the Shawnee Mission West High School Gym, 8800 W. 85th St., Overland Park. A session on coaching ages four to six will begin at 1 p.m.; while a session for coaching grades one through eight will begin at 2:45 a.m.. The cost for one 90-minute session is $10 per person for Johnson County residents of $11 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, visit the District's website at www.jcprd.com.

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JCPRD Summer Park Hours Begin March 1

Summer hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. go into effect March 1 for many Johnson County Park and Recreation District parks. These summer hours will stay in effect through Oct. 31.

District parks impacted by the new hours are: Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam; Heritage Park, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe; Shawnee Mission Park, 79th and Renner Road, Shawnee; Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park, 12500 W. 119th Street, Overland Park; and Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe.

Other District parks with year-round dawn to dusk hours include: Ernie Miller Park, 909 North Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe; Sunflower Nature Park, 103rd St. and Edgerton Road, rural De Soto; and Streamway Parks System access points.

For more information, call (913) 438-7275.

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March 2 is Deadline For 17th Annual St. Patrick's Volleyball Tournament

March 2 is the deadline for teams wishing to register for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's 16th Annual St. Patrick's Day Volleyball, which will take place on March 10 at the Roeland Park Sports Dome, 4850 Rosewood, Roeland Park.

This event is for coed intermediate teams consisting of players ages 18 and older. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format consisting of single-elimination play. The tournament will take place from 9 .m. to 5 p.m. and registered teams will be notified of game times. Past tournaments have involved between eight and 16 teams. Search for the keyword "volleyball" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings. The cost is $85 per team. Preregistration is required.

For more information about the tournament, call (913) 362-8700. 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, go to the District’s website at www.jcprd.com.

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Money Management From a Women's Perspective Program Offered on March 7

Financial Advisor Susan Kay Wells of Waddell & Reed Inc., will explain the basics every woman needs to know about financial health during a new program being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

The program is called Money Management From a Woman's Perspective. This program will take place beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, at Waddell & Reed Inc., 6900 College Boulevard, Suite 740, Overland Park.

Instructor Susan Kay Wells is a financial advisor and District Supervisor for Waddell & Reed. She is a Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor and is Certified in Long-term Care. Search for the keyword "finance" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

The cost for one 90-minute session is $12 per person for Johnson County residents or $13 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, go to the District’s website at www.jcprd.com.

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Squaw Creek Birdwatching Trip Offered on March 10

Join the Johnson County Park and Recreation District for a late winter birdwatching trip to the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, March 10. The trip will depart from the north side of Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, at 8 a.m. and return around 3:30 p.m.

Participants will observe the migration of ducks and geese as they fly north to their breeding grounds. Other wildlife such as white-tailed deer, pheasants, and bald eagles have been observed in past years. Lunch will take place at Camp Rulo, Neb., famous for fried catfish and other entrees. Participants must provide their own meal expenses and should bring binoculars and a bird book.

The cost for this seven and one-half hour trip is $31 per person and includes van transportation. 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, go to the District’s website at www.jcprd.com.

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Soccer Spring League Kick-off Clinic is March 10

A Season Kick-off Clinic is being offered again this year for all youth soccer players registered in the Johnson County Youth Soccer League this spring.

During this event, players ages four to 14 will be introduced to six fundamental soccer skills by former International and Nigerian National Team soccer player "Emilio John" and his professional staff of coaches. Search for the keywords "soccer clinic" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

This 90-minute Annual Soccer Season Kick-Off Player League Clinic will take place beginning at 2 p.m., on Saturday, March 10 at the Tomahawk Sports Dome, 17501 Midland Drive, Shawnee. The cost for one 90-minute session is $5 for Johnson County residents or $6 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 VOICE or (913) 831-3342 TDD. To register online and for updated program listings, go to the District’s website at www.jcprd.com.

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