Community Calendar

Ongoing
Build-A-Bear Workshop has launched its 2009 Huggable Heroes search for youth age 7 to 18 who volunteer in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and disadvantaged neighborhoods, or raise money for those with special needs or to protect wildlife and preserve the environment. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 27 at www.buildabear.com/huggableheroes or at any participating Build-A-Bear store. Ten winners will receive a prize worth $10,000, $7,500 in an educational scholarship and $2,500 for a donation to the charity of their choice.

St. Luke’s South Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, 12300 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, seeks volunteers for a few hours a month. The nonprofit organization’s proceeds benefit patients, families, staff, the hospital and other charitable organizations. For more information, call manager Pam Sauter at 317-7894.

Feb. 18

Yoga for Youth, ages 6 to 9, is from 4:15 to 5 p.m. at Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park, and incorporates flexibility, balance, range of motion and coordination. Participants will practice the importance of self-awareness, focus, relaxation and breath-control. Parents are welcome to attend. Classes are every Wednesday through March 11. For information, call 895-6390.

The Advancing Connections Express Network of the American Business Women’s Association will host an after-hours event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hyatt Place Hotel, 6801 W. 112th St., Overland Park. Guest speaker Anne Peterson, an Emmy-nominated news anchor, will discuss preparing for change and share her experiences and challenges as a career woman. For more information, contact Sarah Lyons at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (816) 361-6621, ext. 251.

Feb. 19

Online Productivity Bootcamp from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Enterprise Center of Johnson County, 8527 Bluejacket St., Lenexa, is a hands-on workshop presented by entrepreneur Dan Melton, founder and team chief of npT Labs, that demonstrates how to use free or inexpensive Internet services such as BaseCamp, HighRise, Skype and Google Apps to organize your business and increase productivity. For more information, contact Jayne Vehlewald at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 438-2282, or visit www.ecjc.com.

Emporia State University Metro Learning Center hosts an Overland Park Chamber Connection networking from 4 to 5 p.m. at the chamber office, 9001 W. 110th St. Reservations are due by noon Feb. 18. To register, go to www.opks.org.

Around the World with Mysteries reading group will discuss “The Face of a Stranger” by Anne Perry at 7 p.m. at I Love A Mystery Bookstore, 6114 Johnson Drive, Mission. The meeting is free and open to the public. For information, call 432-2583 or visit iloveamystery.com.

Doc and Diane Glover, owners of Wild Birds Unlimited, 7347 Quivira Road, Shawnee, will discuss the importance of continuing to feed songbirds into the spring, as well as problem-solving solutions such as raccoon, squirrel and grackle avoidance, and clean feeding alternatives. The class is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call 631-5200.

Feb. 20

Storytime for Toddlers is at 10 a.m. at Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Drive. Ages 18 to 36 months accompanied by an adult can listen to stories, sing songs, and learn rhymes and fingerplays. For information, call 962-3800.

Storytime for Preschoolers is at 11 a.m. at Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Drive. Ages 3 to 5 years accompanied by an adult can listen to stories, sing songs, and learn rhymes and fingerplays. For information, call 962-3800.

Johnson County Community College’s Fashion Merchandising and Design Department holds its annual fashion show, “Highways, Byways and Runways,” at noon and 7 p.m. in Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park. The show features fashions by local merchants and designs by JCCC students. About 45 minutes in length, both shows are open to the public. For ticket information, call 469-4445.

Feb. 21

An interactive babysitting clinic, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam, will train youth age 10 and older to deal with various situations they may encounter while caring for a child. Students receive a manual and a certificate of completion. To register, call 322-5550.

Johnson County Extension Office, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe, hosts a free Community Garden Workshop for the participants of five community gardens in the county from 9 a.m. to noon. For details, call 715-7000.

Women Helping Women, sponsored by Sensaria Natural Bodycare, is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Holiday Inn, 101 W. 151st St., Olathe. Free and open to the public, the event is for those interested in direct sales careers. Featured speaker is company founder Rob Barnes. R.S.V.P. to Laurie Dillon at 669-0184 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The 2009 AMC Best Picture Showcase at AMC Studio 30, 12075 S. Strang Line Road, Olathe, allows guests to watch the movies nominated for “Best Picture” Oscar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: “The Reader,” “Milk,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Frost/Nixon.” The first movie starts at 10:30 a.m.; the last at 9:45 p.m. Passes include admission, large popcorn and unlimited refills. For details, go to www.amctheatres.com.

Doc and Diane Glover, owners of Wild Birds Unlimited in Shawnee, will discuss the importance of continuing to feed songbirds into the spring, as well as problem-solving solutions such as raccoon, squirrel and grackle avoidance, and clean feeding alternatives. The class, hosted by the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. To register, call 685-3604.

The Ice at Park Place, 117th Street and Nall Avenue, Leawood, hosts Disney on Ice Skating Party from noon to 2 p.m. Children 12 and younger dressed like their favorite Disney character skate free and receive a pass for “Disney on Ice Presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey” April 1-5 at Kemper Arena. For more information, call 663-2070.

Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove performs his popular children’s songs such as “Peanut Butter” and “Are We There Yet” at 1 p.m. at the Johnson County Museum of History, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee. Registration is not required for the drop-in program for all ages. For cost, call 715-2550.

Meet favorite University of Kansas football players and support the Harvesters Community Food Network from 2 to 4 p.m. in downtown Overland Park. Bring three canned goods and be eligible for prize drawings. For more information, go to www.downtownop.org.

The 22nd annual Heart Ball, from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., celebrates the American Heart Association’s lifesaving work for Kansas City-area families and the mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Guests are encouraged to wear red. Funds generated at the Heart Ball will support American Heart Association-funded cardiovascular disease research. In the past five years, the American Heart Association has allocated more than $7 million for 54 studies at three institutions in Kansas. For tickets, call 652-1910 or visit www.americanheart.org.

National mail-order gift company, Victorian Trading Co., based in Lenexa, is scheduled to appear on QVC’s “Patio & Garden” segment which will air between 7 and 10 p.m. The appearance will feature the Tea Rose Wellingtons and Autumn Wellingtons.

Feb. 22

The Spring Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. The event features more than 200 area vendors, two fashion shows offering the latest bridal trends, complimentary catering and cake samples, and giveaways including bridal gowns, grooms’ rings, and $500 gift certificates to be spent with show vendors. For more information, visit www.perfectweddingguide.com/kc or call 851-9333.

Feb. 23

Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s 50 Plus Program and Johnson County Human Services sponsor CPR/AED training from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood. To register, call 826-3160 or go to www.jcprd50plus.com.
A kick-off reception for Johnson County Young Professionals is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Trezo Vino Wine Bistro, 11570 Ash St., Leawood. JCYP is a new program of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce that provides networking, educational, philanthropic and mentoring opportunities to professionals in their 20s and 30s who live and work in Johnson County. To R.S.V.P., contact David Pruente at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 491-3600.

Feb. 24

IHOP will serve free pancakes in celebration of National Pancake Day. Guests can enjoy a short stack of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant chain hopes to raise $1 million for Children’s Miracle Network with donations from customers for what they would have paid for the pancakes. Miracle Balloons also will be sold for $1. For locations or to donate, go to www.ihoppancakeday.com.

“Coaching for Effective Performance” Business Education Seminar is from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, 9001 W. 110th St. Attendees will learn the performance management process and key elements for sustained, successful performance. Reservations due by noon Feb. 23. To register, go to www.opks.org or call 491-3600.

Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s 50 Plus Department celebrates Mardi Gras from 9 to 11 a.m. in the dome-covered, heated pool at Roeland Park Aquatic Center, 4843 Rosewood. A shallow water exercise class will be offered, followed by refreshments. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Leawood Garden Club meets at 10:30 a.m. at Leawood Presbyterian Church, 2715 W. 83rd St. Lala Kumar, certified horticulturist and specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Program, presents “The Great Tomato.” The meeting is open to the public. Call 648-4677 for more information.

The After School Painting Club is from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. at Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive. Ages 5 to 9 will learn step-by-step techniques while using washable paints on a canvas board in “Porky Pink Pig.” All supplies included. To register, call 631-5200 or visit www.cityofshawnee.org.

The Community Services Division at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, offers Great Decisions 2009 discussions from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Hudson Auditorium of Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Chris Kuehl, Ph.D., Armada Corporate Intelligence, will discuss “Energy and the Global Economy.” For details, call 469-8500, ext. 3919.

Evening Storytime is at 7 p.m. at Lackman Library, 15345 W. 87th St., Lenexa. Children age 3 to 6 can pick up reading skills by listening to stories, singing songs, and learning rhymes and fingerplays. All family members are encouraged to participate. The story time is held every Tuesday through March 10. For information, call 495-7540.

Feb. 25

Funky Mama will perform interactive songs for toddlers and preschoolers at 10 a.m. at the Johnson County Museum of History, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee. Maximum of three children per adult and children must be supervised. For cost, call 715-2550.


Johnson County Park and Recreation District invites the public to attend trout stockings at Shawnee Mission Park and Heritage Park Lakes. About 1,000 pounds of fish will be stocked starting at 2:30 p.m. near the Heritage Park Dam, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe. About 3,000 pounds of fish will be stocked beginning at 3:45 p.m. near the Shawnee Mission Park Lake boat ramp, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee. The lakes will be closed to fishing until the official beginning of the 2009 trout season with a siren start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. A second spring stocking is planned for Friday, March 13. For more information, call 888-4713.
“Women and Heart Disease – The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers” will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park. Guests will receive information about the warning signs of heart disease in women and how to reduce risk in this free Be Well! program from The University of Kansas Hospital. To register, call 588-1227 or visit www.kumed.com/bewell.

Dillon International Inc. will present a free informational meeting on international adoption from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Road, Prairie Village. A Dillon representative will give an overview of adoption from China, Korea, Haiti, and India, and new programs in Ethiopia and Russia. For information, call 544-2805.

Kids Night Out 2009 with Julie Andrews is a benefit for children served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. From 5 to 9 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo., the evening includes a pre-party, dinner, silent and live auction, and celebrity guest appearance by actress, author and activist Julie Andrews. Proceeds will be used to meet annual operating expenses of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ youth development programs. For more information, call (816) 361-3600 or visit www.helpKCkids.org.

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The Sun is looking for public events to feature in the Community Calendar every Wednesday. Send items to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by noon Friday.

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