Local performer moves closer to dream

Jordan Wooten knows he is meant to be a performer on the stage. The actor, singer and dancer has dreams of a career in New York City one day.

"This is what I’m supposed to do," Wooten said. "I believe every person has a purpose and God made me for this, and I’m so thankful for that because I love it."

Wooten, a home-schooled high school graduate from Olathe, recently got one step closer to his dream. He spent time this August working with Broadway professionals at the Alvin Ailey studios in midtown Manhattan.

Wooten is one of 18 people selected out of a pool of 2,000 who auditioned for the Broadway Artist Alliance College/Professional Musical Theater Workshop.

Agencies reward those who buckle up

Safe Kids Kansas, State Farm and the Kansas Department of Transportation encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect their most valuable asset, their families.

Through Sept. 11, a safety belt awareness campaign called "Bucks for Buckles" is being held in 46 cities across Kansas, including Overland Park. One-dollar bills will be distributed by local volunteers to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicle.

Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats in saving lives and reducing injuries.

Extension office offers soil testing

Through a grant provided by Johnson County Stormwater Management, a limited number of free soil tests are available from Johnson County K-State Research and Extension.

The free tests are good for a routine soil analysis that tests the pH, phosphorus and potassium levels of the soil.

Johnson County homeowners are eligible to receive one free test per household.

Chamber golf tournament is Sept. 9

The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce seeks golfers to participate in its 2010 Golf Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 9 at Ironhorse Golf Club, 15400 Mission Road, Leawood.

Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center are co-sponsors of the tournament, which offers an opportunity for local business professionals to make business connections while enjoying an afternoon on the golf course.

Space is limited to the first 144 paid registrations. Proceeds benefit chamber programs. Player check-in begins at 11 a.m., lunch from Chick-fil-A of Overland Park is at noon, and the shotgun start is at 1 p.m. To register, visit www.opchamber.org or call 491-3600.

Sept. 1 Community Calendar

Sept. 3

Today is the deadline to register for the class "Dining with Diabetes: Meal Planning & Fats," which takes place Sept. 17 at Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe. To register, call 715-7000 or visit www.johnson.ksu.edu/classes.

The classes Aerial Conditioning, Affirmation and Meditation, and yoga workshops begin today in the Geodesic Dome, 4711 Lamar, Mission. For fee and schedule information, visit www.iamlearning2fly.com.

During Patriot Golf Day, golfers who visit Tomahawk Hills Golf Course, 17501 Midland Drive, Shawnee, and Heritage Park Golf Course, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe, on Sept. 3-6 will be asked to consider giving a minimum donation of $1 to The Folds of Honor Foundation, which awards scholarships to the children of military members who were either seriously disabled or have died in the line of duty in Afghanistan or Iraq. For information, call 631-8000 or 829-4653.

Sept. 4

The grand opening of the first American Girl retail store in the Kansas City area starts at 9 a.m. at Oak Park Mall, 95th Street and Quivira Road, Overland Park. The store features popular American Girl products, along with a hair salon for dolls and a "Creativi-tees" T-shirt boutique. For information, visit americangirl.com

Library festival celebrates Latin culture

Johnson County Library hosts a Latino Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at Oak Park Neighborhood Library, 9500 Bluejacket, Overland Park.

Community members of all ages are invited to attend and experience Latin-American culture through art, music, poetry, dress, dance and crafts.

Performances include: a poetry reading from the Latino Writers Collective; Ballet Folklorico of Kansas City; "La Llorona," a musical drama interpretation using marionettes, presented by Monique Maes; Quimbaya, a Colombian dance troop; Makuza, an Afro-Latin ensemble performing Salsa, Merengue, Timba and Cumbia; and Fiesta Folklorica dance group.