Volume 33 No. 1
March 2015
the
Best Times
INFORMING & SUPPORTING JOHNSON COUNTY’S 60+ ADULTS
Weather spotters are eyes in skies, boots on ground in severe weather
Pages 18-19
www.jocogov.org /thebest times
Sleeping matters in healthy living Cupid proves love is ageless Sitting: Is it the new nasty habit?
111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 3300 Olathe, KS 66061
Publication of Johnson County Government
Lack of enough ZZZ’s can take toll on daily functions. Pages 12-13 Couples exchange golden rings in their golden years. Pages 16-17 Too much sitting can affect health, longevity. Pages 22-23
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Columbia MO Permit No.353
etc.
Renovations start at Central Resource Library
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he Central Resource Library is undergoing a renovation! The Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, opened in 1995 and has seen steadily increasing usership since then. The wear and tear of more than 6.5 million visits is starting to show. The renovation requires Central Library to significantly limit services starting March 1. Patrons should anticipate service interruptions and portions of public space being unavailable during the eight-month project. Library programming will temporarily relocate to nearby branches. Until early 2016, Central Library visitors may pick
up on-hold materials and return materials. If Central Library is your polling place, you’ll still be able to vote there. The Library, in response to patron requests, will provide twice as many meeting rooms and study spaces as are currently in place. The project includes upgrades of the mechanical systems in the building. Lighting, heating, air conditioning will be replaced with more energy efficient systems. Another key improvement is relocating and enlarging the Carmack Room used for special events and programs. The Friends of the Library are also slated to open a third bookstore at the Central Library. The fundraising group has an
online store and stores at the Blue Valley and Antioch branches. The funds they raise support Library programs for kids and families. The MakerSpace has also grown in popularity; the 3-D printer alone has a two to four week waiting period. This project will increase the square footage of the MakerSpace to 1,500 square feet…six times its current size…and also move it closer to the library’s main entrance. A reminder: Library services are available at the 12 Library locations around the County. Find one close to you at www.jocolibrary.org/locations or call 913-826-4600.
Fish stockings set March 14 March offers two day trips
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ring the kids and start out spring break week by watching as hundreds of pounds of squirming rainbow trout are stocked in two Johnson County Park and Recreation District lakes. The Supplemental Spring Break Trout Stockings will take place on Friday, March 14, at each respective lake’s boat ramp. Stocking of about 600 pounds of trout at Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe, will begin at 2:30 p.m.; and stocking of about 1,400 pounds of trout at Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, will begin at 3:45 p.m. Following the stockings, both lakes will be closed to fishing until the following day’s park opening at 5 a.m. The 2015 trout season began on February 28. The district’s rainbow trout program is totally funded by monies collected through JCPRD fishing and trout permits. Purchasing a permit allows anglers to collect a daily limit of four trout. Before fishing for trout in district waters, Kansas residents ages 16 to 74 and nonresidents 16 and older need to have a Kansas state fishing license. Additionally, Johnson County residents ages 16 to 64 and non-county residents age 16 and older must have a JCPRD fishing permit. All persons, regardless of age or residency must also possess a JCPRD trout permit. Trout permits are required whether you plan to keep your catch (up to a daily limit of four) or release the trout you catch. Permits are available at the JCPRD Registration Office, Building D, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam; the John Barkley Visitor Center at Shawnee Mission Park (cash or check only), 7900 Renner Road; and at numerous local retail outlets. For more information, call 913-888-4713.
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wo day trips are on the March calendar by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. The first opportunity occurs on Friday, March 13, and allows partipicants to experience some down-home country cooking as well as some great live entertainment featuring country and gospel music. The Chicken-N-Pickin trip will visit the Duling Family Dinner Theatre in a remodeled dairy barn at Walnut, Kan. The bus will leave Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road Merriam, at 10:30 a.m. and participants will get back to Johnson County by 5 p.m. The cost, including transportation, lunch, and the show, is $79 per person. A Topeka Capitol Tour day trip is schedued Tuesday, March 24. Participants will visit the state’s recently-renovated Kansas State Capitol Building for a guided tour which will include the House of Representatives, Senate chamber, State Library, and more. An optional dome tour will take brave travelers 296 steps to the top. The group will enjoy lunch at the Capitol Plaza’s Falling Water Grille. In the afternoon, the group will visit the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic site where they can learn about civil rights activists who fought to open school doors for children or all races. The trip to Topeka will leave at 8 a.m. from Antioch Park and return at approximately 5 p.m. The cost is $69 per person and includes lunch. For more information about either day trip or to register, call 913- 831-3030.
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Volume 33, No. 3
March 2015
the
Best Times
the editor’s view
Don’t use ‘hon’ or ‘elderly’ By Gerald Hay, editor The Best Times
T HIS & T HAT The Best Times, a monthly publication of Johnson County Government, is mailed without charge to Johnson County residents who are 60 plus. Subscriptions are available for $15 annually for those who do not qualify to receive it. If you are interested in receiving The Best Times, call 913-715-8930. Mission: The Best Times is a monthly magazine provided for all Johnson County residents age 60 plus, publishing articles that inform, challenge, support, entertain, and persuade. Contributions to support the mission of The Best Times should be made payable to The Best Times and mailed to the address below, or online at www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes.
Publishing of letters from readers, opinion columns, or advertising does not constitute agreement or endorsement by this magazine or Johnson County Government. Communications: Sharon Watson 913-715-0730 email: sharon.watson@jocogov.org Editor: Gerald Hay, 913-715-0736 email: gerald.hay@jocogov.org Circulation: Janice Suddath 913-715-8930 Advertising Sales: Che’rell Bilquist, 913-715-8920 email: cherell.bilquist@jocogov.org
111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 3300 Olathe, KS 66061 913-715-8930 800-766-3777 TDD DEADLINE FOR EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING COPY IS THE 8TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION
On the Cover
From left to right, John “Dennis” Kriegshauser, Mike Billquist, and Herb Fiddick are weather spotters in Johnson County. Cover story photos by Paul Andrews
Corrections
A headline in the February issue should have been “On track with GPS” instead of GSP. Presidents Ronald Reagan and William Henry Harrison also were born in February.
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hat do people call you and what would you like to be called? My birth certificate reflects that I might be called a “senior citizen,” although I dislike that title and never use it. Like many citizens in their 60s and older, I am very active in both spirit and personality. I firmly believe that we all remain the same inside, regardless of how we look on the outside as we age. So, this is my complaint: I feel that being addressed as “honey,” “sweetie,” “hon,” “dear,” and other such terms is disrespectful and condescending. It implies that we are child-like because we are over a certain age. Not true. People using the terms probably think they’re being nice, but professionals call it elderspeak, the sweetly belittling form of address that has always rankled older people. In life, we know about the century-old children’s rhyme about sticks and stones. It should be safely assumed that Betty Friedan was never called “sweetie” or “hon” in her conversations with others. However, she did leave us some sound wisdom about how to live as we age, noting long ago: “Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Frank Lloyd Wright agreed, saying: “The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.” Trying to agree on a new euphemism has its challenges in the new age at hand, especially the baby boomers. They’re not “matures” or “seniors,” and they’re definitely not “elders.” In fact, boomers and probably many older adults would rather not be labeled at all with any terms of endearment in conversations with others. That puts many of us at somewhere between “beyond youth” and far from “over the hill” in life. We don’t call people “junior citizens” www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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so why do we call them “senior citizens?” My grandkids think that I’m older than dirt. That’s OK as long as the dirt is not covering me up. Personally, I tend to use the term “older people” because it’s the least problematic. Everyone is older than someone else, and we are all people. Much of the time, it’s completely unnecessary to use age as an identifier nowadays. People don’t like it. That’s why you see organizations changing their names. Most senior centers have become community centers. AARP shortened its name long ago, which now doesn’t mention age or retirement. Experts and studies in the new ageism have tried new ways to classify our generation as the “young-old” between 65-74; “old-old” 74-84, and “oldest-old” at 85-plus. That may make sense in terminology, but the problem with terms like “the elderly” or “seniors” is that they lump these two groups together, and none of the young-old want to be identified with the old-old. For the most part, everyone wants to live longer, but no one wants to be old. It’s perhaps best to avoid bringing up age at all. As in life, it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. Where others see wrinkles, we see character. Where others view bald, we consider it “follicly challenged.” Where they think old, we think experienced. And where they fear loss, we cherish reinvention and a better view in living and enjoying life to its fullest as long as we can with what matters the most. Friendships are in place of things; faith in place of fear; laughter in place of gloom; and love and patience in place of hate and hurry. All of that goes with maturity in life for “older adults.” To understand that, it won’t matter a whit what people call you now and in the years ahead. That point of view was first voiced by Norman Vincent Pearle: “Live your life and forget your age.”
letters to the editor Enjoying Best Times
I just read the February 2015 edition of Best times and I was totally mystified by a Letter to the Editor titled “Unwanted Publication.” It is beyond me why someone would complain about a well-done publication aimed at senior citizens. I’m not sure why I receive it, but I thoroughly enjoy it. There are interesting articles aimed at seniors, classified ads, and just plain information. I hope I continue to receive it. I receive handfuls of unwanted publications every day, but Best Times is not one of them. Carolyn Baker, Lenexa
A welcome addition
A recent letter to the Editor entitled “Unwanted Publication” has prompted my letter. When referring to private publications, which ones do you mean? The Overland Park Sun – gone; the “KC Star” – virtually gone; maybe the Shawnee Dispatch – limited distribution; or possibly the new online publication in Prairie Village? As the demographic for publishing changes so must our ideas reference same. The Best Times covers a wide range of issues and is a welcome addition in our household. From comments about recipes to comments from the County Commissioner, it is all very well done. I’ve never seen a political advertisement. When the issue of government selling or purchasing advertis-
ing is discussed, I simply refer anyone to the number of years various branches of the military have both bought and sold advertising in multiple venues. Printed media may be in decline, but I submit to you many people do not live, eat, and breathe on a computer. The mere implication I must have a computer or a “smart phone” to keep abreast of local/world events is depressing. My sincere hope is Johnson County continues the Best Times both in print and online. Larry McCarthy, Overland Park
Act followed Truman I recently read and enjoyed Gene Meyer’s “kitchen table money talk piece” about “Why U.S. presidents never carry cash” until I got to the part about Harry Truman which contains a glaring error when he wrote, “Congress began paying ex-presidents a then $25,000 annual pension when Truman left office, to help keep him afloat financially.” While it is generally known that Congress did not want to be embarrassed in the event a former President of the United States such as Mr. Truman found himself in the position of needing money when they passed the Former President’s Act, they did not pass it “when Truman left office” as Mr. Meyer wrote. President Truman left office in early 1953; the Former President’s Act was passed in 1958, many years after President Truman left office. Jennifer Randle, Overland Park
The Best Times Letters to the Editor Guidelines Must be 200 words or less to be considered. Refer to an article that was published in The Best Times within the last three months, and include a viewpoint or opinion on the topic. Include the writer's name, full address, email address and daytime phone number. No form letters or copied material will be used. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Names and home towns will be printed. Writers may not have a letter published more often than once every six months. Letters are subject to editing for length and grammatical errors. Due to space limitations, we cannot publish all letters. We will not publish letters that: have foul language, are potentially libelous or malign a specific person or organization, are disrespectful of anyone’s ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, sexual orientation or race, and serve as an endorsement for a product or service.
Ways to Submit a Letter E-mail to thebesttimes@jocogov.org. (Please do not include attachments.), go online at www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes or mail to: The Best Times Letters to the Editor, 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 3300, Olathe KS 66061 www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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Johnson County Area Agency on Aging Paid for by Older Americans Act funding
By Gordon L. Davis
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he 2014 individual income tax form again allows for donations to the Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels Contribution Program. If you donate to the fund, 100 percent of your contribution will go to local programs serving in-home meals to home-bound seniors and people with disabilities. The check-off program is an efficient, convenient way to make a difference in the lives of Kansas seniors. Each year this program funds meals for vulnerable seniors throughout the state, and makes a significant contribution to their lives, health, and ability to remain independent in their homes. Locally, Meals on Wheels is administered by the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging and is funded by the Older Americans Act. The Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels Contribution Program is a fund that allows taxpayers to make a donation to support home-delivered meals. The program is a channel for people who want to support food programs for seniors but perhaps can’t participate in ways such as meal delivery. The intent of the fund is to supplement nutrition services for the elderly and people with disabilities in the community, making it possible for them to live independently in their homes as long as possible. The personal
contact with meal volunteers is helpful to the seniors’ well-being, and the delivery process is a way to learn of clients’ changing needs or of emergencies. If you will receive a state refund this year, indicate on line 37 of the tax form the amount you wish to donate. You may contribute $1 or more, a portion of your refund, or all of your refund to the Meals on Wheels fund. If you owe state taxes, indicate the amount you wish to donate in the designated space and remit payment for the tax balance plus the amount contributed to Meals on Wheels. Filing your taxes. Information about filing your Kansas individual income tax return electronically is available through the Kansas Department of Revenue at www.ksrevenue.org. You may also contact the Kansas Department of Revenue with your tax questions. Call 785-368-8222 (TTY 785-296-6461) from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday, or e-mail tac@kdor.ks.gov. (Kansas Tax Forms may be requested through voice mail at 785-296-4937). The 2014 Kansas individual income tax return deadline is Wednesday, April 15. For more information about the Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels Contribution Program, call Aging Information at the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging, 913-715-8861.
Tracking legislation: Senior issues of note
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he Older Americans Act (OAA) reauthorization has been approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) (January 28, 2015). The reauthorization was unanimously approved (S. 192), and cleared it for floor consideration. The OAA is critical to meeting the unique health care and long-term service and support needs of our nation’s growing number of older adults. The OAA creates and funds the vital home and community-based services that help older Americans to live with maximum health, independence, and dignity. You are encouraged to get in touch with your Senator to show your support, and urge him or her to advocate in favor of this important reauthorization as it faces approval from the full Senate and the House. Through the Area Agency on
Helping older adults to live in the community with independence and dignity.
Aging (AAA) structure, the OAA provides services such as information, legal assistance, caregiver support, in-home services, and nutrition programs to older individuals 60+. Services are offered on a free or contribution basis, depending on the service. The Johnson County Commission on Aging (COA) voted to support the reauthorization at its February 11 meeting, with the following guidance: • subject to reconsideration, if amendments are added • request that the proposed funding formula be considered to be changed to put a higher weight on each state’s 70+ population. The COA is a group of volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to provide information, guidance, advice, and support to the to the AAA, and Continued to next page
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Information & Referral . . . 913-715-8861 Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) . . . . . . . . 913-715-8856 Volunteer Services line . . 913-715-8859 Commission on Aging meetings will be held from 9-10 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month in Room 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe. The meetings are always open to the public. For more information, call 913-715-8860 or 800-766-3777 TDD. AAA programs are funded by the Older Americans Act and state funds through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Johnson County government, agency matching funds, and individual participant donations. Johnson County government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
• March 2015
Johnson County Area Agency on Aging Paid for by Older Americans Act funding
Tracking legislation: Senior issues of note
Silver Haired Legislature election set for March 10 An election will be held 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at the the
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to be a liaison to the board concerning the needs of older county residents and services to meet those needs. • Rep. Jim Ward, (86th District, Wichita), on the Kansas House Health and Human Services Committee, introduced a package of legislation in late January to expand Medicaid, protect Medicare, and empower patients in Kansas through proposed legislation to improve, promote, and protect access to quality health care for Kansans. Ward’s proposals include three separate bills. The first, the Healthy Kansans Act, would expand Medicaid eligibility in Kansas. The second bill, HB 2046, would repeal the health care compact allowing for the privatization of Medicare in Kansas approved by the legislature in 2014. Ward’s third proposal, HB 2047, would allow Kansans served by the state’s intellectual/ developmental disabilities waiver to opt out of the state’s managed care system and return to traditional Medicaid waiver services. • The Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging & Disability (k4ad), in response to the current Health Care Compact repeal bill, reminds seniors and their advocates of a promise by Johnson County legislators published in The Best Times (October 2014). “While we can’t rule out the possibility that Medicare for Kansans could be impacted, we’ve been assured by a group of legislators, in writing, that under no circumstance do they intend to change Medicare or the benefits Kansas enjoys under Medicare.” k4ad plans to be diligent in ensuring they keep their promise. • A broad-based group of Kansas organizations have formed a coalition calling for the restoration of state revenue to protect the economic stability of Kansas and its communities. The 36 member organizations of Rev Up Kansas have joined together to advocate for tax fairness to maintain the quality of life in Kansas communities and support businesses. Rev Up Kansas urges Kansas legislators to address the budget shortfall in Kansas by enacting policies that will increase revenues to fund core state services. The coalition maintains that the unaffordable tax cuts championed by Governor Sam Brownback two years ago are leaving Kansas without the resources necessary to invest in education programs, healthcare for vulnerable Kansans, vital services for our senior citizens, or strong roads and safe neighborhoods. Rev Up Kansas welcomes participation and support from Kansas individuals and organizations.Should you choose, you may urge your legislators to restore revenue at www.revupkansas.com, and also learn more about how you can be supportive.
Contacting your elected officials •
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To call your state senator or representative toll free while the Kansas Legislature is in session, call the Johnson County Courthouse, 913-715-5000, and ask to be connected to your legislator. There is no charge for the call. You may also contact legislators via the web at www.kslegislature.org. To learn the names of the federal, state, or local elected officials representing your area, call the Johnson County Election Office, 913-782-3441, or visit www.jocoelection.org and click on “Elected Officials Directory.” To track the status of legislation, call the Kansas Legislative Hotline at 800432-3924. www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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S. Sunset Dr. in Olathe (Room 1015), to select six people for the Johnson County delegation of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature. period of time to vote due to increased interest in the election. Candidate information will be available online at www.jocogov.org/hsd and at the election site. For more information call the Area Agency on Aging at 913-715-8860 or 913-715-8863.
Eating is more fun with friends!
Six senior dining sites in Johnson County participate in the Nutrition Program of the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging (913-715-8888) serving nutritious meals Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. for those 60 and older, offering fellowship, recreation, and educational programs. The meals are provided through the Older Americans Act. A suggested donation of $3.00 is requested. To reserve a meal, just call the center of your choice by 10:00 a.m. one day in advance. Menus for meals provided through the Nutrition Program are available at http://www.jocogoc.org. De Soto Neighborhood Center De Soto Community Center 32905 W. 84th St. • 913-585-1762 Gardner Neighborhood Center Gardner Community Center 128 E. Park • 913-856-3471 Lenexa Neighborhood Center Lenexa Senior Center 13425 Walnut • 913-888-6141 Merriam/Shawnee Neighborhood Center Merriam Community Center 5701 Merriam Drive • 913-677-2048 Overland Park Neighborhood Center Matt Ross Community Center 8101 Marty St. • 913-648-2949 Spring Hill Neighbors’ Place Spring Hill Civic Center 401 N. Madison • 913-592-3180 CHAMPSS Program Senior dining at select Hy-Vee’s 913-715-8894 Home Plate Nutrition Program Seven frozen meals following hospital discharge 913-715-8810
Social Security has its own final four
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By Katie Komer
ince 1939, March has meant one thing in the world of sports: March Madness. In this tournament, 68 college basketball teams compete through the month until only the final four teams remain. Coaches gather their teams to drive home the gravity of the moment, reminding them that they’ve worked hard and that how they respond to the pressure directly determines the outcome. When it comes to retirement, you can secure your own winning outcome by teaming up with Social Security and taking advantage of services offered online. Start by opening a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount. What can you do with a my Social Security account? Allow us to introduce you to my Social Security’s • Use your account to view your Social Security Statement and verify your earnings history each year. Your future •
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ketball, create your own March Madness with Social Security. You can open your online my Social Security account during one of the commercial breaks. Don’t wait until crunch time. Your moment is now. Take advantage of your own personal my Social Security account to stay on top of your annual earnings history and
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Get immediate proof of your current ment SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax purposes. While everyone focuses on college bas-
earnings.
Staying ahead of the game is key to having a winning future in retirement. Social Security is a dependable team player, assisting you to your retirement championship, and my Social Security is the Most Valuable Player on the court. www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Katie Komer is the assistant district manager in Johnson County for the Social Security Administration.
Digital Non-Occluding OPEN EAR......................$895 Custom Digital in ear........$695 Custom Digital in canal....$795
by getting estimates of your retirement, are still working. Keep up the full-court press by managthem.
“ Thomas Johnson’s Story and the History of Fairway, Kansas” The story of Johnson County’s namesake, the Shawnee Indian Mission and Fairway
“Books Are Available Now!”
Joe H. Vaughan, Author Fairway
Rainy Day Books (www.rainydaybooks.com), Fairway City Hall
Prairie Village
Bruce Smith Drugs, Tiffany Town, Gregory’s Fine Floral
Overland Park
Ranchview Floral, Fred’s Train Shop and Unique Finds -Downtown, Ranchmart Hardware Contact Joe Vaughan Associates joevaughan05@gmail.com)
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library connection
Check it out: Libraries book chances to volunteer By Ron Zluticky
stores, and produce the annual book sales! Specific jobs include: • Sorting, organizing and packing books/audio-visual materials for resale; • Unpacking books, stocking shelves, cashiering at book stores; • Staffing the fall and summer book sales as merchandiser, counter, runner, or cashier; • Researching the Internet for book values and posting items for sale; • Packaging and shipping sold items across the nation and to foreign countries; and, • Serving on the Friends Board of Directors. Volunteer opportunities across the library and beyond will be featured at the “Volunteering: The Work That’s Fun!” event. Join us at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, for a program on Johnson County volunteer opportunities that are more play than work. Learn about and participate in activities on ways to get involved from several agencies across Johnson County. Co-sponsored by the Positive Aging Coalition, the free event will take place at the Antioch Neighborhood Library, 8700 West Shawnee Mission Parkway, Merriam. To learn more about volunteering for Johnson County Library, visit www.jocolibrary.org/volunteer.
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ohnson County Library has always benefited from the contributions of volunteers. In fact, we owe our very existence to spirited and dedicated volunteers. In the 1950s community members operated volunteer libraries in their home basements, schools, and some local businesses, including a barbershop, a plumbing company, and a shopping center. Volunteers even raised funds for and operated a traveling bookmobile. Their perseverance led to the establishment of an official county library, which thrives today. In 2014 Johnson County Library served more than 2.5 million people in 14 facilities throughout the county. Nearly 1,000 volunteers gave 50,000+ hours to help the professional staff serve those patrons. As our audiences continue to grow, so do opportunities to serve as a volunteer. Whether you’re available weekday mornings, afternoons, evenings, or weekend days, the library has a place for you! There are regularly-scheduled, ongoing roles, periodic event roles, and special project roles. Some assignments include: • a two or three hour shift in circulation – weekday mornings, some weekday afternoons/evenings, or weekends; • cleaning computer surfaces and meeting room tables – Friday morn-
Library volunteers help in many ways. ings; preparing materials and classrooms for English Language Learning (ELL) classes – Saturday mornings; • designing and conducting ELL class lessons – Saturday mornings; and, • leading children’s activities while parents attend ELL classes – Saturday mornings. The Friends of Johnson County Library provide opportunities to interested community members to invest in the success of the library by donating time or materials. Their volunteer and advocacy efforts are critical in helping the library serve its patrons and achieve its mission. Friends volunteers operate the book sorting facility, an online book store, staff the two (soon-to-be three) in-house used book •
New Horizons Band plans free concert
Ron Zluticky, Volunteer Services coordinator for Johnson County Library, can be reached at zlutickyr@jocolibrary.org or 913-826-4302.
Village Stories: The Veteran
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free concert by the New Horizons Band is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood. The New Horizons Band is a program of the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District in conjunction with the University of Missouri - Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music and Dance and Meyer Music. For more information about the band or the upcoming concerts, call 913-8263160.
Veteran, father, “King of Jeans” – the chapters in Jack Miller’s story have always involved him making the most of the cards he’s been dealt. So when his leg started acting up, he turned to Village Shalom to help get him back in the game.
Start a new chapter in your story. Call 913-266-8407 to schedule a tour and see how Village Shalom can make for the perfect setting. See the rest of Jack’s story in his mini-documentary video at www.VillageShalom.org/Jack.
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the extension connection
Avoid the cookie cutter landscape
By Dennis Patton
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t is hard to believe that we are already three months into the New Year, where did the time go? It just seems like yesterday we were donning the party hats. That also means I have not had many opportunities yet this year to offend people. I guess it is just in my nature that I say or write something that offends. My wife and kids will be glad I am picking on someone else. So here I go (and I know I will step on the toes of many people thinking they are doing a nice job in the landscape). Meatballs and mushrooms, sounds like a pretty good start to a nice Italian meal. Meatballs and mushrooms could also be used to describe a bad pruning job in the garden. Unfortunately, this is the time of year that these manicured mounds start showing up in the landscape. Pruning plants into balls, rectangles, and square mounds is referred to as a cookie cutter landscaping. These shapes do little, if anything, to enhance the landscape, and often just draw attention to what the shrubs are intended to hide. Do people that shear their plants into these unnatural mounds really think they look good? Or did they play Edward Scissorhands because they saw someone down the street do it? Does anyone really think this is the correct
way to prune? I guess so by the number of hack jobs adorning many Johnson County homes. Taking gardening advice from neighbors, or for that matter some so-called, self-proclaimed landscape professionals, can be very scary and often leads to a repeat of bad practices. No odd shapes in pruning Good pruning practices do not start by plugging in the hedge shears and burr-cutting the plants into odd shapes. This practice does nothing for the plant except destroy its natural shape, reduce flowering and slowly kill the plant. If you want to continue to do this practice, put the poor plant out of its misery and just cut it off at the ground. It would look just as good. On a more serious side, pruning plants into shapes has long been an acceptable practice. Many books that show pictures of well groomed gardens will have topiary forms of shrubs throughout. These gardens were established during a period in time when formal gardens were the rage. Today’s landscapes reflect our more causal lifestyle. Houses for the most part have a less formal design, they are not balanced. As a result of this informal style the plant materials should reflect the home’s character. This means that the plant materials should take on a more natural look. The natural shapes of shrubs are more arching, spread-
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ing or vase shaped. This provides for a relaxed look. This causal style helps hide the harsh features of the home such as foundations, concrete overhangs and downspouts. A cookie cutter landscape draws attention to the shape. This attention on the shrubs in mounds draws the eye to the parts of the home that we are attempting to hide or soften with the shrub planting. Better way to control size Another reason people shear is to control size. There is a better way to control size without shearing. Selectively pruning to remove taller branches to the ground or reducing branch height to a lower crotch or fork will retain the natural look and decrease size. Shearing must be done a couple times in a season. In order to retain the natural look, one time a year is all that is needed. It may take a little longer to prune the first time each year but the dividends are worth the effort. When shrubs are allowed to grow natural, massed together, they create the coverage to enframe and set off the home for an eye-pleasing display. Shrubs pruned into mounds lined up like little soldiers are harsh, not softening, and detract from the home. Sheared shrubs also remove the new growth that produce the wonderful Continued to next page
Healthy Yards Expo set March 28 in Shawnee
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he Sixth Annual Johnson County Healthy Yards Expo on Saturday, March 28, aims to help residents make greener choices for their yards and homes. The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Drive. The expo focuses on Kansas Healthy Yards and Communities (KHYC), a program developed by Kansas State University Research and Extension. KHYC helps homeowners make wise choices on environmentally conscious lawn and garden care techniques. Johnson County K-State Research and Extension is teaming with Johnson County
Stormwater Management and the cities of Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, and Shawnee to present the event. The event highlights many simple and easy practices that can be done to achieve a nice yard. The expo will feature businesses, non-profits, and tips that meet the program’s criteria, helping Johnson County and surrounding area residents become “greener” in their lawn and garden care. Johnson County residents also can get a free soil test, complements of Stormwater Management and the Extension Office. For more information on the Healthy Yards Expo, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu or call 913-715-7000.
Avoid cookie cutter landspace Continued from page 10
flowers. This spring notice forsythia that has been hacked to death. Are there many flowers? They have all been removed from improper pruning. Flowers are produced on the branches that are allowed to grow, not stubbed back. This spring liberate your shrubs, put the hedge shears back into the garage and allow
the plants to develop a natural more eye appealing look. Lastly, if I stepped on your toes about your poor pruning habits please forgive, as we are never too old to learn new tricks. Dennis Patton, horticulture agent at Johnson County’s K-State Research and Extension Office, can be reached at 913-715-7000 or dennis.patton@jocogov.org.
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• March 2015
to your good health
Sleep matters: Getting ZZZ’s helps health
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By Lisa Taranto Butler
ere’s a riddle. We all want more of it, but many of us aren’t getting enough of it. We might be envious of those who seem to be getting more of it than we are getting. Once we do get it, we feel relaxed and energized. What is it? No, it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s sleep. According to most experts, adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. But the truth is most of us don’t get anywhere near that, and more than 30 percent of us are getting less than six hours of slumber. Why are getting ZZZ’s essential? Sleep loss can affect daily functions such as alertness, short term memory and creativity. Chronic sleep loss can lead to disease - such as diabetes, obesity, depression and high blood pressure. Why Aren’t We Getting Enough? Being too “connected” is one obvious reason we aren’t sleeping. Spending late evening using computers, phones, and other media keep us “tuned in” instead of relaxing us before bedtime. We may try to make up for our lack of workday slumber by sleeping late on weekends. Although we may be accumulating more sleeping hours, our bodies become out-of-rhythm with normal sleep patterns. As a result, sleep isn’t as restful, and our minds and bodies are just as tired. Snooze to Lose Research suggests a direct relationship between sleep and weight control. Poor sleep quality and quantity causes the body to produce hormones that increase appetite and cravings for high-carbohydrate, high-fat food the next day. We burn more calories during REM or deep sleep. If people gained at least one hour more of sleep per night, they could lose 14 pounds in a year. That’s enough proof to get folks desiring those well-deserved zzz’s. But how do we make it happen?
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Exercise – Just another reason to move, exercise can increase overall sleep time by 1.25 hours each night. Working out significantly increases your core temperature, so when your body returns to normal a few hours later, it becomes easier to fall asleep. For the best rest, don’t work out more than two hours before bedtime. Lose Weight – Added weight, especially in the upper body, makes us prone to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the soft palate at the back of the throat collapses, causing the airway to become blocked during sleep. Research shows that losing just 10 percent of your body weight significantly improves symptoms of OSA-including snoring – which can keep your partner awake, too. Regulate the Bedroom – Take a chill pill, or better yet, just set your thermostat a little cooler. Start at 68 degrees Fahrenheit and turn it down slightly more if you’re still having trouble getting shut eye. Eat to sleep – Make sure you are not hungry before you go to bed, but don’t eat a sweet treat as sugar can be a stimulant. Distractions – Put the cell phone down and keep it at least three feet away from your bed. Turn off the alerts – unless you need the alarm clock. Limit Caffeine – Caffeine just before bed is definitely not sleep smart, but that latte at lunch may have a similar effect. Understand how your body reacts to caffeine, even if you have it earlier in the day. Three Things to Do When You Cannot Sleep Just Breathe: Slowly inhale for five counts, hold for three counts, and exhale for five counts. Repeat this pattern. By slowing breathing, the body relaxes physically and mentally, making it easier to drift away.
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• March 2015
Study: Seniors 65+ need 7-8 hours of sleep
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a panel of health experts has released age-based sleep recommendations that infor adults over age 65. The results were published in Sleep Health:
Sleep matters in staying healthy Continued from page 12 2. Melt into Your Bed: Contract and relax your muscles one area at a time. Start at the feet and move your way upwards. By the time your reach your shoulders you might start yawning. 3. See Success: If sleep seems far-off, try visualizing what a perfect day would look like tomorrow. Imagine waking up with mounds of energy and completing your tasks. Don’t rush. It typically takes about 15 minutes to go through an entire day. We don’t have to solve any riddles to know that sleep is critical for our minds and bodies. When we don’t get enough of it, it can make us feel terrible, but when we get an ample amount, we can take on the world. Note: Some information for this article was found at healthysleep.med.harvard.edu.
National Sleep Foundation (NSF). The sleep range for adults 64 years old and younger did not change from previous studies and remains 7-9 hours. A new age category was for older adults (65+) with a recommended sleep range of 7-8 hours. “The NSF has committed to regularly reviewing ly rigorous recommendations,” Max Hirshkowitz, Advisory Council, said in a news release. “The public can recommendations represent the best guidance for sleep duration and health.”
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• March 2015
elder law
Paying for nursing home care
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By Alexandra R. English
hile most people do not like thinking about needing nursing home care, for many it one day becomes a reality. Along with the uncomfortable thought of not being able to care for yourself and having to move away from home, you must also worry about how to pay for it. Ideally, paying for nursing home care is something that you will have planned for well in advance. That being said, such a level of financial security is not a possibility for many individuals, particularly when rising nursing home costs are considered. A low estimate is that nursing home care currently costs $4,000 per month. Below are some of the ways that individuals pay for nursing home care, which will be referred to as long term care throughout the remainder of this article. Long Term Care Insurance Long term care insurance is insurance purchased like any other insurance policy. You make premium payments and depending on the terms of the policy, if you ever need long term care in the future, part or all of your care will be covered. This is something that requires advanced planning. Typically the younger and healthier you are when you acquire the policy, the cheaper it is. It is, however, becoming more and more expensive to maintain. When purchasing a policy you should do your homework. There are various kinds of policies. The amount of coverage you purchase should last for the number of years you may
expect to need long term care. The minimum recommendation is five to six years, though clearly no one can anticipate the future. If you purchase a policy well in advance of needing long term care, you should consider purchasing inflation protection. To trigger coverage, typically the insured must have a cognitive impairment or be unable to perform at least two out of six activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include eating, bathing, transferring (moving oneself), continence, toileting, and dressing oneself. If two of these events are triggered and properly documented by a physician, the policy should be available for the insured’s use. Medicaid Medicaid is a federal, needbased program for low income individuals unable to afford long term care. In Kansas, Medicaid is administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), so individuals needing Medicaid must apply with DCF. As an individual, you must have $2,000 or less in available, non-exempt resources to qualify. Exempt assets and resources include your home, one vehicle, one burial plot, a funeral plan with limits, and most personal property like clothing and wedding rings. Non-exempt assets and resources include most other kinds of property, such as money in bank accounts, real estate other than your homestead, etc. If you qualify as an individual, whatever income you have goes toward your care and Medicaid supplements the remaining of cost of your care. You do get to retain approximately $60 each month for personal care items, such as haircuts or clothing. Continued to next page
Cane Fu training starts on March 9
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C
ane Fu, a self-defense program using a cane, is being offered by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. Participants will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, beginning March 9, at the Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street, Overland Park. The cost for eight 50-minute sessions is $56 per person for Johnson County residents or $62 per person for nonresidents. For more information, call 913-831-3359 or visit www. jcprd.com.
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• March 2015
Ways to pay for nursing home care
Continued from page 14
for ongoing treatment, personal care and assistance, in addition to the
If you qualify as a married couple, a different set of eligibility requirements exists. A Division of Assets is performed so that the spouse remaining at home does not become impoverished when the other spouse goes into long term care. For more information about a Division of Assets, please visit http://www.kancare.ks.gov/download/factsheets/Division_of_ Assets.pdf. For a Medicaid application, visit http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/medical_assistance/applyforassistance_elderly_and_disabilities.html. Upon completion, submit the apcan also call 1-800-792-4884 to request an application. Medicare If you are a Medicare recipient, it is important to know that Medicare does not cover long term care in the traditional sense. Medicare will only cover care at a skilled nursing facility for a short period of time if you have a recent hospitalization and are rehabilitating. Medicare fully covers 20 days of care, and up to 100 days of partial coverage. See http://longtermcare.gov/medicare-medicaid-more/medicare/ for more information. Care for Veterans If you are a veteran you may qualify for long term care assistance from the Veterans Administration. Eligibility is based on need
VA disability status, insurance coverage, and/or ability to pay will be considered. It is possible to obtain assistance if you do not have a service-connected disability, but co-pays will apply depending on your income level. Go to http://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Guide/LongTermCare/ Paying_for_Long_Term_Care.asp for more information. Private Pay For individuals with none of the above options, you must pay for your own care. It is possible that you only have to pay for yourself for a short time until you qualify for Medicaid or veterans’ assistance. income, you may never qualify for Medicaid or veterans’ assistance. Nursing homes want to be paid, and accordingly some for your care. Often nursing home facilities have a social worker on staff to assist individuals with qualifying for Medicaid. If you have not yet thought about how you are going to pay for your care at a nursing home should it become a necessity, this is something you may want to consider now. If you have questions about eligibility for Medicaid you can apply for advice through Kansas Legal Services at 1-800-723-6953. Alexandra R. English is an elder law attorney with Kansas Legal Services, Inc.
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• March 2015
inside story
Cupid finds couples later in life By Joe Henderson
merging their lives in marriage, such as changing names on credit cards, bank accounts, charge accounts, Social Security, penhose who believe love is only for the young should sions, and other routine items that come with changing names. talk to some of the senior adults who’ve found love in “That’s why when some older people fall in love they delater life. They might be surprised to learn that sharing cide to live together and love is for all maintain their present ages. identities rather than go Helen Liston and Bill McCreary, both 82, to the trouble of changmarried September 29, ing their names on a lot 2013. She is a retired of documents,” Helen associate minister with said. Leawood United MethTea dances seem to odist Church, whose husbe a common denomband, Dan Liston, died inator in many senior in 2002. He is a retired romances. businessman and former Tea dance romance Kansas State legislator Marvin, 92, and whose wife, Natalie, died Barbara, 85, Goodman in 2011. met at a tea dance at the “We went to the Roeland Park Community Center in same school in Joplin and knew 2005. Their spouses died in 2003. each other but never dated or ran “He was such a gentleman. I around together,” Helen explained. was attracted to him from the start,” “We did meet at some high school Barbara said. “We began dating and reunions and talked but nothing found we had many mutual intermore.” ests. We fell in love. You learn a Early in 2013, Bill, who was living in Derby, Kansas, got up lot of things about life as you grow enough nerve to call Helen. older. It’s so nice to have a partner. “I was in Overland Park visitIt keeps you from getting lonely.” ing my daughter, Lisa, and wanted “We take care of each other. to call her but chickened out,” he We like doing many of the same said. “The next time I was there I things. We like to dance. We go at worked up enough courage to call Top picture: From left to right, Bill McCreary, Helen every opportunity. We like keeping busy,” Marvin said. “Our health is and ask if I could take her to lunch.” McCreary, Ruth Beckman, and Roland Blackmarr good and we want to do things.” share a fondness for tea dancing. It was a Friday and Helen “We belong to a lunch bunch agreed to have lunch if he’d go to and go to dinner with friends. the afternoon tea dance at the Ross Community Center, Over“Our families thought it was wonderful when we married. They land Park, with her. Helen explained she always goes because didn’t urge us to wait,” Barbara said. not only does she love to dance she frequently sings with the Helen officiated at their wedding in April of 2013. They band. live in Lenexa. “I hadn’t danced in years but I really enjoyed it. We had Wedding bells to ring in May a good time,” Bill said. “He looked so nice, very handsome. She has another wedding scheduled. Roland Blackmarr, 85, A lot of the single women wanted to dance with him,” Helen whose band plays for tea dances at Matt Ross on Fridays and recalled. “We talked and made plans to see each other again.” Lenexa Community Center on Mondays, and Ruth Beckman, The long drives from Derby to Overland Park grew more 89, will marry on May 1. regular … and before long their talks turned to marriage. “They’re having the wedding in the Matt Ross ballroom “Our children expressed a little concern that we might be just before the Friday Tea Dance begins and everyone who moving too fast. I told them that at my age I can’t move too comes to the dance is invited to the wedding,” Helen said. “I fast,” Bill said with a laugh. was thrilled when they asked me to marry them.” At their wedding, Bill read vows he’d written that deRoland and Ruth have known each other about 30 years. scribed their love: “Since we rekindled our friendship I have How did they meet? At a dance, of course. “I had a gleam in my eye for him for a long time,” Ruth fallen in love with you. At this stage in our lives our love will be a deeper love. I am so thankful that I found you and that you said. “The more I saw him the more I liked him.” “She looked awfully good to me…and she still does,” Rohave consented to be my wife.” land said. They live in Helen’s home in Overland Park. Continued to next page There can be complications that come up for seniors who are
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• March 2015
County parks begin summer hours in March
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ummer hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. go into effect March 1 for many Johnson County Park and Recreation District parks. Summer hours will stay in effect through October 31. District parks impacted by the new hours are: • Heritage Park, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe;
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Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee; and, • Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe. Summer hours for Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 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; Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park, 12500 W. 119th Street, Overland Park; Camp Branch Glade, 175th and Mission Road in Aubry Township; and Streamway Parks System access points. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.jcprd.com or call 913-888-4713.
Cupid finds couples later in life at dances Continued from page 16
But they didn’t have their first date until October. “I asked her to have lunch and she said okay. She met me at the restaurant but I drove her home,” Roland said with a laugh. Ruth’s husband died in 1982. Roland’s wife died in 2007. “It’s no fun to be alone,” he said. More love at tea dance Another couple who found love and a new life at the Matt Ross Tea Dance are Dick, 82, and Marcia, 77, Bredensen who met at a dance in 2012 and married a year later. “I wasn’t interested in a relationship. I was happy being single,” said Marcia, whose husband died after 46 years of marriage. “Dick’s wife died in January 2012 so I assumed he wasn’t looking for a relationship either.” Dick was at Matt Ross
that day intending to exercise. When he heard the music he walked down to the ballroom and spotted Marcia. “She was very attractive, very trim. We danced—she was a much better dancer than I am—and talked a lot. We enjoyed each other’s company right off,” he said. Before long their conversations turned to marriage. Their children were happy with it and naturally that helped. Dick lived in Overland Park and Marcia in Lenexa. “We decided not to settle in either place, too many memories,” Marcia said. So, after they married, they moved to Raintree Lake near Lee’s Summit, Mo., but they still go to the Friday Tea Dance at Matt Ross. Joe Henderson was a federal court reporter with The Kansas City Star for 40 years and is now a freelance writer. He lives in Overland Park.
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• March 2015
Overland Park EricksonLiving.com
cover story
Storm spotters are eyes in t W By Gerald Hay
eather folklore says: March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. While it is not uncommon for Kansas to experience drastic weather changes, helping communities stay vigilant when a storm develops makes all the difference in protecting lives and property. To that end, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Johnson County Division of Emergency Management and Communications (EMC) rely on trained storm spotters to provide timely and accurate weather information throughout the year. Herb Fiddick, 61, Overland Park, is among approximately 65 trained weather spotters in Johnson County. “I’ve been a weather geek for a long time,” he said with a smile. Fiddick is entering his sixth season as a weather spotter. He describes spotters as the eyes on the skies and feet on the ground for the NWS and Emergency Management, identifying and observing possible tornado activity, severe thunderstorms, hail, strong winds, and other hazardous weather conditions as they develop in Johnson County and elsewhere. “It’s exciting when it happens,” he said about being in the midst of severe storm. “It’s not all fabulous, but it’s an important responsibility.” Fellow weather spotters Mike Billquist and John “Dennis” Kriegshauser agreed. All three are volunteers in the Johnson County Emergency Communications Service (ECS), a local amateur radio organization, to assist Emergency Management and the Weather Service in storm spotting and emergency communications, when needed. “ECS members are required to be ham radio operators and the weather spotting mission that we have with Emergency Management really wouldn’t work without it,” Fiddick said. “It’s ham radio that allows us to rapidly determine who’s available for any weather event, get them deployed rapidly, receive reports from them in the field, and get them home safely. Ham radio plays a unique and critical role in all this.” Like “weather geek” Fiddick, Billquist, 55, Shawnee, has also long maintained an interest in weather. The
weather fascination started when he was a boy growing up in Topeka. He was often dispatched to keep an eye on the weather during his 30-year career in law enforcement, including serving as an Overland Park police officer for more than two decades. He easily recalls the last time a funnel cloud was spotted in Johnson County. It was sighted on May 6, 2012, on I-35 south of 151st Street. The funnel, however, remained aloft. “When it touches ground, it’s a tornado,” Billquist explained. Johnson County was lucky that time, but not so fortunate 58 years ago during the deadly Ruskin Heights tornado that struck on May 20, 1957. The tornado killed four members of the Davis family in Spring Hill along with another Kansan and 34 people in Missouri in its 71mile path from Williamsburg to Ottawa, southern Johnson County, through Martin City to Blue Springs. The tornado injured more than 500 people, including 20 in Spring Hill; destroyed homes, including 21 residences and 18 barns in the Spring Hill and Continued to next page www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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Top: From left to right, storm spotters John “Dennis” Kriegshauser, Herb Fiddick, also above, and Mike Billquist, and Herb Fiddick are shown in Johnson County Emergency Operations Center in downtown Olathe.
• March 2015
cover story
the skies in severe weather Continued from page 18
Ocheltree areas; and ripped apart trees along its long deadly path. The pathway in Johnson County back then was far less developed and populated. “When the Ruskin Heights tornado went through Johnson County, there was nothing to hit,” Trent Pittman, assistant director for community preparedness at EMC, said. “If it was to hit now, it would go through the heart of southern Overland Park and the northern edge of Spring Hill.” Emergency Management estimates that if such a tornado struck, it would impact more than 3,300 homes, at least a dozen schools, and cause up to $993 million in damages. Weather monitoring for the Kansas City Metropolitan Region is the responsibility of the NWS Office at Pleasant Hill, Mo., serving Johnson County along with six other counties in east-central Kansas and 37 counties in northern and western Missouri. Weather spotters, locally and regionally, must undergo training by the NWS. Participants learn about different types of severe weather – thunderstorms, hail, straight-line winds, tornadoes, etc.; how to correctly identify cloud formations, such as wall clouds which can produce funnels and tornadoes; and what to look for in threatening weather, especially when characteristics of a storm frequently change, often times quickly. Storm spotters are the front line when it comes to getting the most up-to-date weather information as it occurs. The right observance is essential in providing the Weather Service with accurate information that can help save lives by issuing early warnings and alerts. The NWS benefits from the metro network of weather spotters because it is able to compare information received from its Doppler radar to exact weather conditions being reported in real time on the ground. The information is used to send out weather warnings and
watches to local news media, TV stations, and the general public. “We need people on the ground to get information about what’s going on,” Fiddick said. He is semi-retired from his job at Black and Veatch where he has worked since 1976. With more free time on his hands, Fiddick wanted to find a way to volunteer, serve his community, and find a new hobby. Becoming a weather spotter filled that niche along with becoming a ham radio operator. The spotters, who should not be confused with storm chasers, usually have an assigned location in Johnson County to observe weather as it occurs. “We’re spotters. We don’t chase storms,” Kriegshauser, 61, Overland Park, explained. He is an engineer at Black and Veatch and has volunteered at the Overland Park Police Department for two decades. Kriegshauser added that safety is a priority for all spotters who volunteer their time and incur expenses. “We’re not in it for the money,” he said. “It’s a passion and a hobby.” Fiddick said that despite the dangers he takes pleasure in the results, with a mission of enhancing public safety whenever weather turns nasty. “It can be very rewarding to help a community stay safe,” he said. “It’s also exciting to see what weather Mother Nature can produce.” National Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas will be observed March 2-6 with activities planned in Johnson County. Severe weather season, however, is just beginning and continues, for the most part, through the end of autumn. The wrath of Mother Nature includes risks of heavy rain, hail, strong winds, even the possibility of tornado activity. It’s all a familiar environment for weather spotters. “We are smart enough to get out of the rain,” Kriegshauser said with a smile. “But, we don’t want to.”
www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
Mark your calendars!
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n celebration of Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 2-6), Johnson County Emergency Management (EM) and Communications is planning:
March 2 Weather radio programing (EM offices from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Bring in weather radio and staff will localize alerts to meet individual needs. March 3 • Weather radio programing (EM offices) • Countywide NotifyJoCo test at 10 a.m. • Statewide Annual Tornado Drill and siren activation at 1:30 p.m. March 4 • Weather radio programing (EM offices) • Monthly test of the outdoor warning sirens at 11 a.m. March 5 • Weather radio programing (EM offices) • Back-up date for Statewide Annual Tornado Drill and siren activation at 1:30 p.m. March 6 • Weather radio programing (EM offices) • Emergency Operations Center open house from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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The EM offices and Emergency Operations Center are located in the lower level of the Johnson County Administration Building, 111 South Cherry Street, in downtown Olathe.
Being better prepared
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ike every other community in the state of Kansas, Johnson County is vulnerable to severe weather. In a serious emergency, community services may be impacted, so a basic rule of thumb is for people to be able to take care of each other for 72 hours. That’s just three days — think of it as a long weekend — or nine meals. Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 2-6) is an excellent opportunity for households to prepare for severe weather by becoming better connected, gathering supplies, and making a plan. Preparing doesn’t have to be an expensive or a time consuming task; in fact, you’re likely more prepared than you think. For more information on how you can become better prepared, please visit www. joco72.org. Trenton Pittman,
assistant director for community preparedness, Johnson County Emergency Management
19 • March 2015
inside story
Walking offers path to nature, friends By Linda Chesney Kaut
Even if the walkers go off on their own, he said, they come back together to eat. Sometimes they are asked to bring their river runs along a path. An eagle soars across a sky. own lunches, other times they pay their own way during visits to And, friendships blossom. restaurants. Those are some of the things people mention when “Another thing is that on the way back home, the vans they talk about walks they have taken through the 50 always seem to find their way to an ice cream shop,” he said. Plus program of the Johnson County Park and Recreation Dis“That’s always a fun time.” trict. Regular participants also include Barry and Pat Kramer, a “It’s beautiful,” Jenny Lenexa couple who took their Smith said about different first hike in 2007, soon after trails that she frequents in her retirement. role as a recreation coordinator “We’d been looking for who runs the walking program. things to do,” Barry Kramer Popular destinations insaid. “We like to hike. We’re clude the Katy Trail in Misphysically active. We like the souri during the spring and the outdoors.” Konza Prairie in the Flint Hills Their first experiences of Kansas during the fall, she were even better than they said. expected, he said. A hike in the Flint Hills is “We were pleasantly a highlight of the program for surprised. The people made us regular participants like Wally feel at home. The places we Drone, who lives in Overland went were appealing,” Kramer Park. said. “The bottom line is we “The first big hill that we really enjoyed the exercise, the places we went and the people have to go up is a real chalwe got to associate with. We lenge,” Drone said. “Once enjoy making new friends and on top of the hill, you’re on a plateau. You can look out Fifty Plus program included a walking opportunity to Parkview, seeing old friends. It’s a social event for us.” on the Flint Hills and you can Mo. last year. “We’ve kind of become a see almost forever. That view second family,” Kramer added. “It’s just a fun group.” makes it all worthwhile.” One reason the program works is because of Smith, he said. Another favorite location for Drone is to hike along the Katy “We have a great leader,” Kramer said. “She’s so enthusiasTrail. tic.” “An area of the trail goes right alongside the Missouri RivDrone also had nice things to say about Smith as well as her er,” he said. “The other side has tall bluffs. It’s a good time to staff. Among other things, he described them as friendly. look up (at birds flying overhead).” “They make you feel wanted,” Drone said. Drone captures scenes from these hikes in photographs and For her part, Smith quipped: “I can’t believe I get paid for stories, which he puts in emails he sends to fellow walkers. this.” One of the advantages of these walks, he said, is that everyFor more information, call 913-826-2859 or visit the website one can choose how fast or slow to move as well as how near or JCPRD.com. far to go. “We all know when to be back at the starting point,” Drone Linda Chesney Kaut, a former newspaper reporter, is a freelance writer. She lives in Spring Hill. said.
A
50 Plus programs urge all: Get walking! Morning Indoor Walks
March Trail Walks
Daily morning walking opportunities are available indoors throughout the week at two facilities operated by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. A walking open time period at Okun Fieldhouse, 2022 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, takes place from 6 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday. The same opportunity is provided from 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday at the New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, near Gardner.
A Wednesday Walk is scheduled March 11 at Wallace State Park in Clinton County, Cameron, Mo., leaving at 9 a.m. Cost is $18. Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch for a picnic after the walk. An Adventure Walk to Cross Timbers State Park in Woodson County near Yates Center is planned March 25, leaving at 8 a.m. Cost is $25 with lunch at Smokey Ben’s BBQ in Yates Center. (Lunch costs on your own). Both walks will depart from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam. Call 913-826-2859.
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• March 2015
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Mediterranean Bean Soup
Makes eight servings Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 3 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups dried beans, soaked according to package directions and drained (or three cans of beans, 15 ounces each, rinsed well) 8 cups boiling water 1 14-ounce can stewed tomatoes in juice 2 bay leaves 3 tablespoons tomato paste 3 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules 1 tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme ½ cup chopped fresh parsley; additional for garnish Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: 1. Heat olive oil in heavy three-quart stockpot; sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. 2. Add drained beans, boiling water, and bay leaves to stockpot and cook over low heat for one hour, stirring occasionally. 3. Add stewed tomatoes in their juice, tomato paste, bouillon, thyme, and parsley. Cook until beans are soft (an additional 30 to 90 minutes. Cooking time varies with age of beans.) 4. Add salt and pepper to taste. For thicker soup, remove about 1½ cups of beans and puree in food processor or blender; return to pot. 5. Serve and garnish individual bowls with more chopped parsley. Nutrition Information per serving (with dried beans): 210 calories; 4.5 g fat; 35 g sodium Nutrition Information per serving (with canned beans): 260 calories; 4.5 g fat ; 44 g mg sodium. Source: 2014 Walk Kansas newsletter
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21
• March 2015
to your good health
Sitting: The new nasty habit?
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By Crystal Futrell
ad news, folks. Recent reports claim that sitting is the new smoking. But K-State Research and Extension just might have the intervention that will help you quit. Studies show that it doesn’t matter how active you are; if you sit for more than an hour at a time, you are jeopardizing your health and affecting your longevity. This is not good news for our society because we sit — a lot. But our bodies aren’t designed for sitting. They’re designed for standing and moving. Yet, more than 90 percent of our activities (working, driving, technology, eating, watching television) encourage us to sit for hours on end, and most of us spend about 80 percent of our waking hours sitting. This is bad because the body will adjust itself to support whatever activity you perform the most, and if 80 percent of our activities are sedentary then the body will conform to that position. And, when the body’s mass is being supported by a chair instead of being challenged by gravity, it will lose flexibility and strength, and this of course leads to physical ailments and disease because we just simply weren’t designed to be sedentary. It’s no wonder we have such horrible health statistics. Many Americans will blame this on the need to sit to do work at their “desk job.” But even folks who’ve retired will often get into routines that are even more sedentary than their previous jobs. Try standing briefly each hour Simply standing more (for 15 minutes within each hour) can interrupt this negative trend. But I think the bigger issue is inertia. Remember that concept from junior high science class? Inertia says an object in motion tends to stay in motion while an object at rest tends to stay at rest. And, the only way to get an object to go from rest to motion is by some interrupting force. This is where Extension’s intervention comes in; keep reading. Have you noticed that while it’s really hard to develop a certain habit, once you have that habit it’s even harder to break it? That’s inertia working. I’ve noticed this in my own
observations of active and inactive individuals. People who are inactive have no trouble being inactive for long stretches of time. But if you spend time with an active person, being still for too long is almost painful for them. I’ve been in meetings where folks, after an hour or so, have to stand because they’ve been sitting too long. This is inertia. And, it’s also why it’s so hard for folks to go from being inactive to active. They need an interrupting force to get them going. It’s not easy. It takes more effort to get going then it does to maintain the “go,” and getting started is the hardest part. If you’re looking for that force to get you going, consider joining the Walk Kansas program. This is an eight-week program that challenges you to move more, sit less, and make better nutrition choices. How does it work? Gather six people (including yourself) who will motivate and encourage each other, and decide who will serve as captain. Anyone can participate: friends, family, children, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers. Once you have your team, you’ll need to pick a team name and choose one of the three Walk Kansas challenges: 1. Walk across Kansas 2. Walk across Kansas and then walk back 3. Walk around the state Now the team wouldn’t actually walk across or around the state. The way it works is each 15 minutes spent participating in physical activity translates in this program to one mile. Walking isn’t the only activity that counts. Biking, swimming, and even gardening or housework count as physical activity. Each member of the team keeps track of the minutes they spend being physically active then reports it to their chosen
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• March 2015
2015 Walk Kansas program starts March 15, ends May 9 Continued from page 22
team captain. In addition to recording their physical activity, participants will also record their daily fruit and vegetable consumption and report that to the captain as well. On the website, you’ll be able to see each team’s progress and fruit and vegetable intakes. This usually inspires some healthy competition amongst the different teams all over the county. Last year, more than 800 Johnson County residents participated in Walk Kansas and almost every team completed their chosen challenge. To register your team, and for more information about Walk Kansas, visit the Johnson County Extension page at www.johnson.ksu.edu and find the Walk Kansas link under the Health and Nutrition page. The cost to participate is only $5/person, and participants can also purchase T-shirts or hoodies to inspire team spirit. In addition, participants will also receive a weekly newsletter with physical activity and health tips, healthy eating information, and a tasty recipe. Saturday, May 9, so hurry to your chair and computer to register once you’ve gathered your team. Just make sure you stand up afterwards. Crystal Futrell, Johnson County Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences, can be reached at 913-715-7000 or crystal.futrell@jocogov.org.
Walking helps healthy aging
W •
• •
alking can become a way of life as regular physical activity that’s essential for healthy aging. The experts say: Walking is cheap, it’s simple, and almost anybody can do it. Walking has a multitude of health benefits for everyone and helps senior adults maintain mobility and independence. Research has shown exercise, such as walking, is good for the mind.
A few tips:
• • • • • • • • •
If you haven’t been active in a while, start slowly and build up. Warm up and cool down before each walk. Choose proper foot gear to keep you moving with healthy legs and feet. Choose a familiar route that’s smooth, flat, soft and free of obstacles to prevent injury. Avoid rushing to reduce your risk of falling. Take your time. If using a walking aid (e.g. cane or walker) be sure it’s fitted for your height. Walk with friends and family - team up with them. It will keep you motivated and it will be more fun. Find a safe, convenient place to walk. Carry a cell phone in case of emergencies.
ash the windows W or enjoy the day with your grandkids?
Let us worry about spring cleaning while you get more out of life. Moving to Cedar Lake Village can open up a world of possibilities. To join us for a free lunch and learn about our caring community, call (913) 780-9916.
All faiths or beliefs are welcome. 14-G0103
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March 2015
Sign of spring: Gardener Hotline prepares to ring
S
pring is just around the corner and one sure sign of its arrival is the opening of the Johnson County Extension Master Gardener Hotline. It is a free service. Phone and Walk-ins Hotline: March 2 through October 30 • • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., excluding
with plant samples are encouraged. In many cases, seeing the problem makes diagnosing the horticulture concern easier. Email the Hotline and Attach Photos E-mailing your question is very helpful in identifying a plant or plant growth problem. When e-mailing, it is also a good idea to attached low resolution photos in order to see the problem. A picture is worth a thousand words. Walk-ins Welcome — But Bring Large Samples If bringing a sample to the Johnson
holidays. 913-715-7050 E-mail: • garden.help@jocogov.org •
The Extension Master Gardener program is sponsored by Johnson County Sunset Drive, Suite 1500, Olathe, be sure K-State Research and Extension. Extension to bring a large enough sample. This means Master Gardener volunteers receive training a branch one to two feet in length, a piece Master Gardener volunteers help a resifrom university experts to help prepare them dent with a sample of quackgrass. of sod the size of a dinner plate or several for this project, as well as many others sponleaves. Samples that are completely dead are sored by the organization. Volunteers come not as useful as portions of plants that are from all walks of life, but have in common their love of gardening just beginning to show symptoms or withering. and sharing information. The Johnson County program has more than Not all questions or problems have an easy answer or solution but 410 volunteers. the volunteer Extension Master Gardeners will make every effort to Prepare First Before You Call help. In addition to their personal knowledge, the volunteers also utiWhen calling the hotline for assistance, be prepared to answer lize Extension’s extensive horticultural reference library and network of Kansas State University resources. Extension Master Gardeners questions to supply as much information as possible. The more data you can provide, the easier it is for the trained volunteer to assist. tical solutions to gardening questions.
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• March 2015
11/13/14 1:05 PM
Other things to do in March
A SALUTE TO
JOHNSON COUNTY’S
VETERANS
C
elebrating the Emerald Isle and National Irish American Heritage Month is the goal of a special event on Wednesday, March 11, by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. Now in its third year, the Irish Celebration with Celtique will involve a performance of Irish music by the local band Celtique. The event will also involve Irish trivia and an opportunity to learn a basic Gaelic dance. Refreshments will be served. The program begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park. The cost is $9 per person. Those planning to attend are asked to register by March 4 by calling 913-642-6410.
in cooperation with Americans Remembered
Wendell Harkleroad Leawood Vietnam, Air Force, lt. colonel retired, helicopter pilot, Special Ops at Nha Trang, Vietnam and UDorn, Thailand. Flew secret missions in Laos and North Vietnam, 21 years service, several medals.
H
elping people of all ages become comfortable with storytelling is the goal of a new program at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe. The family-friendly Story Swap program and will be led by award-winning Senior Park Naturalist and longtime storyteller Molly Postlewait. The program is open to kids, parents and grandparents. It will consist of one one-hour session which will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning March 11. The cost is $5 per person for Johnson County residents or $6 per person for nonresidents. For more information, call 913-826-2804.
Pat Woodward Overland Park WW II, Navy, served 1944-1946 plus active and inactive reserve 1946-1954. Coxswain on USS LSM 355 in South Pacific, plank owner. Jerry Schuetz Olathe WW II, Navy, seaman lst class on two ships in Pacific and Atlantic. Served in 1945 and 1946. Theater medals earned, Victory Medal.
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randparents are invited to have fun over spring break and paint a watercolor work of art with their grandchild during an intergenerational program being offered by the 50 Plus Department.The Spring Break Watercolor Workshop is for ages 50 plus and a grandchild ages seven to 11. No art experience is necessary in the fun beginner program that will meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Matt Ross Community Center. The cost for one one-hour session is $15 per grandparent and grandchild for Johnson County residents or $16 per grandparent and grandchild for nonresidents. The fee for additional grandchildren is $7. For a simple supply list, call 913-642-6410.
Steve Boda Shawnee WW II, Army, tech sergeant, 5th Army Campaigns-Italy, Infantry, Naples-FoggiaRome-Arno. Witnessed execution of American GI for killing member of his platoon. (In WWII, 141 American servicemen were executed by U.S. military for crimes committed.)
T
he 14th Annual Prairie Village Earth Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Shawnee Mission East High School gymnasium, 75th Street and Mission Road, Prairie Village. The fair will feature several presentations, more than 50 exhibitors, youth-friendly craft activities, a used book sale, a fundraising garage sale, and live animals, including birds of prey, lizards and snakes. Entertainment will include performances from Eco-Elvis, StoneLion Puppets, the Green Swing band, and a student choir from Belinder Elementary School. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.earth-fair.org. www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
Charles Caler Overland Park WW II, Marines, Corsair pilot with 100-plus missions, VMF 312, captain, served from 1942-1946. Several medals. The Best Times features veterans each month. Some vets outside Johnson County are featured when their family members are Johnson County seniors. To suggest a vet’s name, including yours, contact Gary Swanson: call 913-744-8282 or email gswanson@kc.rr. com.
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March 2015
“as I see it ...”
Your Chairman
From city to county By Ron Shaffer Commissioner District 1
Ed.Eilert@jocogov.org
I
am a Wyandotte County native, but while attending Kansas State University I made several Johnson County. I decided Johnson County was where I wanted to live. The very day I secured my first job as an architect in training, I moved to Johnson County that evening. Johnson County has been a wonderful place for my family. My wife Jeannine and I have lived in Prairie Village for 41 years and we raised our three children here. I’ve been fortunate to have a successful architectural practice combined with decades of public and community service. It wasn’t easy to leave Prairie Village City Hall after serving on the city council for 10 years and as Mayor for 15 ½. I was honored to serve my city and made some wonderful friends along the way. One of those friends was former Commissioner Ed Peterson. I decided to run for the First District position on the BOCC when Ed chose not to seek re-election to that position. Thanks to the First District voters who have put their faith in me. I’m looking forward to working on issues that will impact our District, Johnson County and the entire Kansas City metro. Rather than being on the path to retirement, I am not inclined to slow down. Someone else who hasn’t slowed down is my mother. She’s 90 years old
and lives on her own in an apartment. I’m not sure she realizes how healthy she really is! I’m proud of her but I do have some concerns. So far it’s been nothing major, but she has had some health issues. So, I do worry about her health, and make sure she’s getting appropriate medical care. I also worry about her finances. I’m sure many of you share the same concerns about your aging parents. Or, some of you might see these worries in your grown children’s eyes. As you may guess, I don’t have much spare time. Like many folks I wish I could find more time to exercise. I do stay pretty active and enjoy good health, but like most of us, could always do better. Even though it’s only been a few months, I’m thoroughly enjoying being a member of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. The other Board members have made me feel welcome, and the County staff is dedicated, friendly and happy to be of assistance while they accommodate any question I have. Speaking of questions, are there any that I answer for you? What’s on YOUR mind? I want to hear from you and understand how our Board can continue to make Johnson County a place where people want to be, to work and to live. Just like I knew I did when I made my home here 45 years ago.
State of the County set March 24
E
Chairman Ed Eilert Phone: 913-715-0500 Email
d Eilert, chairman of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, will present his 2012 State of County Address on Tuesday, March 24, at the Ritz Charles, 9000 West 137th Street, Overland Park. The event, which is being cosponsored by the Johnson County Public Policy Council, will begin with registration at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon with the program and State of County Address to follow. Tickets to the State of the County event are available by contacting local Chamber of Commerce offices. Cost, which includes lunch, is $30 per seat. Eilert is beginning his second term
in 2015 as Johnson County’s publicly elected, at-large chairman. He has served as chairman since January 10, 2011, after serving as the Board’s Fourth District commissioner for four years. Prior to his duties as county commissioner which began in 2007, he was elected to the Overland Park City Council in 1977 for four years and became the mayor of Overland Park in 1981, serving six four-year terms before retiring in 2005. He was a financial adviser from 1966 until February 2008 when he retired from A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Eilert and Jan, his wife, have lived in Overland Park since 1965.
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• March 2015
Your Commissioners Ron Shaffer 1st District Phone: 913-715-0431 Email Ron.Shaffer@jocogov.org
Jim Allen 2nd District Phone: 913-715-0432 Email Jim.Allen@jocogov.org
Steve Klika 3rd District Phone: 913-715-0433 Email Steve.Klika@jocogov.org
Jason L. Osterhaus 4th District Phone: 913-715-0434 Email Jason.Osterhaus@jocogov.org
Michael Ashcraft 5th District Phone: 913-715-0435 Email
Michael.Ashcraft@jocogov.org
John Toplikar 6th District Phone: 913-715-0436 Email John.Toplikar@jocogov.org
The weekly public business sessions of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays in the Johnson County Administration Building, 111 S. Cherry Street, in downtown Olathe. Live coverage of the meetings is viewable each week over the Internet through the county’s main website at www.jocogov. org.
kitchen table money talk
Tax refunds: Use them or lose them
I
By Gene Meyer
magine $2,800 falls in your lap. That happens more than you might imagine this time of the year. The money is the average of those federal income tax refunds that about eight in 10 of us have been receiving the last few years, according to Internal Revenue Service statistics. Your refund may be different, of course. Upper income homes typically receive fewer than half as many tax refunds than mid- or lower income homes, according to one H&R Block Inc. calculation, but those fewer refunds are more apt to be nearer $12,000 than the several hundred or $1,000 to $2,000 on mid- or lower income returns. No matter what sized refund shows up in your mailbox or direct deposit account, you can invest the money to improve your financial situation. More of us want to do that than not. More than half the taxpayers surveyed each year by pollsters for the Edward Jones financial services firm usually say they plan to save or invest their refunds or to pay their most pressing bills. Fewer than one in 10 say they plan to blow it on something fun such as new clothes, a vacation, or a really good dinner out. Blowing the money need not be a bad choice. The important thing is to have a plan of some kind so that your money doesn’t simply land in an account somewhere and become eroded over time. So what is the most profitable way to spend a tax refund? That depends on your circumstances, but some choices seem to appear high on virtually all financial advisers’ lists.
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Those include: • Pay off credit card debt. Shedding future interest payments on your plastic is equivalent to earning 10 percent, 15 percent or more on the money you pay now, say authorities at Bankrate.com, who are just one group among many making that recommendation first. • Build (or rebuild) your emergency funds. Ideally, you should sock away six months or more of living expenses, say the experts at Forbes, among others. But even having several hundred or a couple thousand dollars put aside to absorb smaller setbacks such as car repairs or broken appliances. • Add to IRAs or college savings accounts. They are often early casualties in household money crunches. And, if you qualify, tax deferral features can help earn back some of
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the return you weren’t getting from Uncle Sam before he mailed your refund check. Some less obvious choices also are potentially good investments: • Plug some insurance gaps, suggest the personal finance editors at Kiplinger, the Washington, D.C. business forecasting and financial advice organization. Many home and auto insurers also offer umbrella policies that, for less than $200 a year, raise your property and casualty coverage to $1 million and provide coverage that is missing from regular home and auto policies. • Making small home repairs also is usually a good bet, Kiplinger’s editors say. Fix what is failing first to head off costlier repairs later. Then think about plumbing, wiring, or other systems that may be challenged by 21st century reality. • You might even want to consider having a home energy audit, say advisers at Bankrate.com, the North Palm Beach, Fla., personal finance website. You then can decide which holes to plug first to cut future heating and cooling bills. Ultimately, the smartest thing to do with refund money is invest in yourself. You can be creative about it, too. For example, even a modest tax refund might be enough to help swing a community college or other career improvement course to hone skills for keeping the job you have or finding one you want, Bankrate’s advisers say.
Gene Meyer, a Fairway resident, is a former staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal and The Kansas City Star.
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• March 2015
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Helpers wanted for teaching health programs By Shari Tedford
H
ealth is the name of the game in 2015. We are moving from eating too much to healthier eating and workouts. There are three ways you can help with making our community healthy. The first way to move along the path of health is to learn how to care for our bodies and manage our own health. You can do this with a wonderful, research-based program called the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program or CDSMP. CDSMP is a six week, 2.5 hours a week program that helps people learn how to handle their long term health problems better. Group members learn about action planning, healthy eating, exercise, how to talk with your their doctor, and many other topics. CDSMP is a research-based program that came from Stanford University. Johnson County Department of Health And Environment (JCDHE) is working to grow the number of CDSMP-trained co-leaders in the Johnson County area. Leader training is scheduled for April 13-14 and 20-21. You must come to all four days to become a certified CDSMP
Let’s play bingo!
T
hree themed bingo sessions at three locations are being planned during March by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. March bingo sessions will begin at 1:30 p.m., and will feature a dozen games of bingo, as well as food, prizes, and fun. The cost for each two-hour program is $5 per person for Johnson County residents or $6 for nonresidents. Advance registration is required by calling 913-831-3359. “Decades” is the theme for the first March bingo session which will take place on Wednesday, March 4, at the Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street, Overland Park. The other sessions include a session with the theme “Taco Tuesday” on March 10 at the New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, near Gardner; and another with the theme “Dr. Seuss” on March 26 at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr.
leader. Call 913-477-8337 or 785-296-1627 if you are interested in taking the leader training or sponsoring the program The second way to help Johnson County is to help JCDHE improve the oral health of older adults in our community. Activities involve workshops at senior centers, nutritional sites, and Johnson County Library. Education programs offer tips on staying health and saving money by practicing easy-to-do daily care of the mouth and teeth through better oral health. If you are willing to help with dental education, contact Marcia Manter by email: mmanter@oralhealthkansas.org. The third way you can help make Johnson County healthy is to become a trainer for the QUEST program. QUEST (Quest to Understand and Educate Seniors Today) is a senior health learning program. Trainers will learn to lead one-hour sessions on how to talk to your doctor using the book “What to do for Senior Health.” Here’s to 2015 being a healthy year!
Shari Tedford RN, BAN, is senior wellness coordinator at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. She can be reached by calling 913477-8337 or emailing shari.tedford@jocogov.org for additional information.
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• March 2015
Publishing of classified advertising does not constitute agreement or endorsement by this magazine or Johnson County Government.
SERVICES PROVIDED SenCom is about computers for seniors. This month we look at info for seniors. Ed Schulte of the Area Agency on Aging services and legal issues for seniors. computer questions and answers. Come and be brought up to date! We meet at Atonement Lutheran Church at 9948 Metcalf Ave. on Friday, March 13th at 1:30 p.m. Check our website: www. kcsenior.net for maps and directions. TAX PREPARATION – PLANNING SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. We specialize in helping seniors pay the smart Kansas Citians have been doing for more than 40 years. Call THE TAXMAN, PETER NEWMAN, CPA, host of this program aired for 27 years on KMBZ 98.1 FM every Saturday at 1 PM. YES YOU CAN reduce your income taxes. Call (913) 381-4141 and ask for The Best Times special tax preparation discount. You will love the service, be amazed at the income taxes you can save and, as a tax client you can call seven days a week questions FREE. (913) 381-4141. Swalms Organizing and Downsizing Service. Reduce clutter and enjoy an organized home! Basement, attic, garage, shop, storage rooms—any room organized. Belongings sorted, boxed, and labeled. Items hauled for recycling, items donated, trash bagged. For beforeand-after photos, please see www. swalmsorganizing.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience, insured. Call Tillar: 913-375-9115. Retiring? Call Medicare Insurance Specialist with United Healthcare. Sheryl at (913) 381-4749. WRITING/EDITING SERVICES: Your life story is unique. Your book lies before you. Let me help you write your story for family, friends, and associates. I have a degree in journalism and 30 years of writing experience. Together we can make it happen. I’ve made it happen for others. Contact David W. Swafford 816229-2042 or dwsnarratives@gmail.com.
***** ASK FOR THE NEW BETA 25% DISCOUNT ***** AM/PM Technology DAY/NIGHT PC, Apple and Android Service (including computers, tablets and smart phones.) We come to your home. Same low rates and senior discounts for all services. 913-385-2676. For 19 years we have been the #1 resource for helping seniors in Johnson County to install new PCs, get rid of viruses, resolve e-mail issues, repair equipment, set up wireless networks and handle related issues. To learn more, schedule a visit or ask for free advice, call Joe, Doug or Patrick at 913385-2676. “We speak English.” Johnson County Home Service Plumbing Company. Free service call for any plumbing in your home with this ad! Servicing Johnson County for over 50 years. JCHS is a division of Reddi Root’r Systems. Trust earned the old-fashioned way! Angie’s List Super Award winner. Member of the Better Business Bureau. www.jocoplumbing.com or 913-4391700. Adult painting classes now forming. Have fun while making new friends in a small creative painting environment designed for all skill levels. No prior experience necessary, contact Carole, at 913-825-1307. Visit my website at caroleabla.com.
Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation to the elderly and disabled in their home, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary. Larry Laney Construction Co. Specializing in Kitchen / Bathroom Remodeling and Home Renovation. Finish Carpentry, Painting, Electrical, Plumbing, Drywall and Tile. I’m an Honest, Hardworking, Dependable and Very Skilled Licensed Contractor, Insured with References. Call Larry at 913-9633434. Brick, Block and Stone all work guaranteed. I am insured and have forty year’s experience. Call Paul 913-3027297 Day or 913-321-0431 Night. Prescription Drug SAVINGS! See www. LSRXCare.org/99622. Patient Advocacy name brand drugs. I can help, if you are uninsured, or have Medicare Part D, Obamacare or private insurance. Join us and save! Call Beth at 913-787-5917.
at your service
Classified ads must be submitted in writing and with payment by the eighth day of the month for the following month’s issue. The rate is $30 for up to 20 words and $.55 per additional word. (Minimum, $30). To have your business card included in this advertising section, business cards must be submitted by the eighth day of the month for the following month’s issue.
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-980 -8686
To either place a classified ad or insertion of your business card:
Email: TheBestTimes@ jocogov.org Visit: www.jocogov.org/ thebesttimes Call: 913-715-8920
*NAIC 2013 Medicare Supplement Insurance Experience Reports, August 2014. United American Insurance Company is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or federal Medicare program. Policies and benefits may vary by state and have some limitations and exclusions. Individual Medicare Supplement policy forms MSA10, MSB10, MSC10, MSD10, MSG10, MSF10, MSHDF10, MSK06, MSL06, and MSN10, MC4810 in WI are available from our Company where state approved. Some states require these plans be available to persons eligible for Medicare due to disability. This is a solution for insurance. You may be contacted by an Agent representing United American Insurance Company. © 2014 United American Insurance Company. All rights reserved. AD-224 RI0 UAI0561 1114
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• March 2015
SERVICES PROVIDED Lawn Mowing and Landscape. Honest, Reliable and Reasonable. 25 years of experience of golf grounds management Call Kurt at Kaw Lawns, 816-896-7354. Retired professional woman would like to work 4 – 6 hours per week assisting a visually-impaired individual by reading or providing other services. $12 per hour. Call Marie at 913-633-9080. HANDYMAN PRO, LLC - Repair, Remodel, Renew. Bathrooms, painting, decks, yard work, sheetrock repair, grab bars, ramp building. Call Tom for free estimate. 913488-7320. Handymanprokc.com. Doggie Day Care and Boarding at All Things Dogs KC. Pets are not caged and they stay in a home atmosphere that’s on two acres fenced. Call Kim at 816-7191339. INCOME TAX PREPARATION. Individuals, Partnerships and Corporations. Providing accounting, payroll and quarterly returns. Experience. (913) 579-6345. Bill Ammel Paint and Wallpaper. Interior and Exterior painting. Deck stain, wall paper removal and hanging, and ceiling texture. References and free estimates. 913-558-4409. DEAN’S PRO PAINTING: 25 + years experience; insured, fast, clean, reliable, quality work; interior/exterior; residential/ commercial power-washing, wallpaper removal; drywall & plaster repair, faux work; texture matching; crown & trim work; custom colors. References available. Call Dean at 913-322-9089 or 913-944-3769. House Need a Face Lift? I’m a painter and wallpaper hanger. I also do light construction, hang sheet rock, lay tile and wood work and do electrical and plumbing work. Call Tom Barnekoff at (913) 7225562.
Loving Hands Senior Care. Companion and personal care in your home or assisted living. Help with Bathing, grooming, medications, exercises, walking, meal planning preparation, Errands, transportation, housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders. Will set hours based on your needs. Call Staci for details ... (913) 999-8756. MG Home Repair and Improvement. All around the home repairs. Carpentry, lighting, plumbing, concrete repairs, deck and fence repair, power washing, staining and sealing, interior and exterior painting. Experienced, quality workmanship; senior discounts; free estimates; insured. Call Michael in Shawnee, 913-486-9040. Complete Residential Services. Electrical, plumbing repairs, interior and exterior painting, driveway sealing and repair, expert textured ceiling or wall repair. Free estimates and references available. Call Rich at 913-522-8325. CPR Computing. For all your computer needs. Virus and spyware removal, Windows repair and installation, upgrades, software and hardware training, new PC consultation, and networking. Call Rich Armstrong at 913-522-8325. Fast, friendly, and very affordable. Budget Tree Service, LLC. Trimmed, shaped, or removed. Shrubs shaped or removed. Fence rows cleaned. No job too small. Licensed, insured. 913-593-7386. Free estimates. Budgettreeservicekc. com. KEEP YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET. Are prescription drugs costing too much money each month? Now is the time to curb your expenses for 2015. 1RXPlace can help with your brand name drugs, if you qualify. Approved for Medicare as well as those underinsured. Call Beth at 913-7875917 to learn how much you can save.
Learn to Re-Direct Anger. Got “healthy” anger? Make your anger work for you instead of it getting in your way or being isolated. We teach the tools. Anger Alternatives 816-7535118 www.anger.org. Mister Green Landscaping & Lawncare - Family owned and operated. We offer competitive prices with excellent service. We are a one-stop business for your lawn needs. Mowing, Cleanups, Landscaping, Mulch, Tree Trimming & Removal, Irrigation Repairs, New Installations, Drain Solutions, Patios, Retaining Walls, Yard work, Concrete Work and Snow Removal. FREE ESTIMATES, FREE MOWING ask for details.Quick service, 10+ years’ experience, licensed & insured. 913-707-2551.
HOUSING Start planning now to get more than you pay for in an affordable, faithfriendly home. Now accepting applications for our waiting list: Olathe Towers and College Way Village. 913-782-6131. Equal Housing Opportunity. All faiths or beliefs welcome.
HELP WANTED Supplement your income. We are looking for seniors that would like to make a difference in their community. Work with employment. Earn extra cash, set your own schedule. Call Randy Williams @ 913/5299239.
FOR SALE CEMETERY LOTS: AT MT. MORIAH SOUTH, 3 Lots IN BLOCK 17 AND 1 Lot IN BLOCK 5. Major Discounted Price. Must Sell … 913-338-0851. Indoor mausoleum crypt space at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Selling for less than half of the current price. 620-662-5319
ITEMS WANTED RESIDENTIAL LIFTS. Buy, sell, trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, elevators. Call Silver Cross at 913-327-5557.
your March calendar All classes and events require registration unless otherwise indicated.
March 2 Movie Monday: “The Other Sister” 12:15 p.m. Lenexa Senior Center. Free. Optional lunch for $3 donation at 11:30 a.m. Call 913-888-6141 between 9-10 a.m. 24 hours in advance for lunch reservations.
March 3 Trees for Landscaping. 7 p.m. $10. Extension.
50 & Beyond Potluck. Noon – 2 p.m. Free. Sylvester Powell. Bring your favorite food dish to share.
March 4 Decades Bingo. 1:30 p.m. $5. Matt Ross. Twelve games with fantastic prizes. Register at least one week in advance.
March 5 Senior Cinema: “Philomena” 12:15 p.m. Lenexa Senior Center. Free. Enjoy free popcorn www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• March 2015
beverage and a movie! 913-477-7100.
March 7
So You Have Been Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. 1- 2 p.m. Free. Alzheimer’s Education Center, 3856 W. 75th St. Call 913831-3888 to register. Informative session on early Alzheimer’s disease, planning needs and positive ways to cope and live with the disease. 19th Annual Heartland Artist Exhibition. 5-7 p.m. Free Irene B. French.
your March calendar March 9 Movie Monday: People’s Choice. 12:15 p.m. Lenexa Senior Center. Free. Optional lunch for $3 donation at 11:30 a.m. Call 913-888-6141 between 9-10 a.m. 24 hours in advance for lunch reservations. *Health Information Clinic/Blood Pressure Check. 1-3 p.m. Free. Indian Creek Branch of Olathe Public Library.
March 10 Permaculture - A New Trend. 7 p.m. $10. Extension. Design landscapes modeled after nature. Fish Tales. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Uncle Buck’s at Bass Pro, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, Olathe. A reminiscence-and-discussion group for individuals with earlier stage dementia. Call 913-831-3888 for reservations *Health Information Clinic/Blood Pressure Check. 10 a.m. - noon. Free. Indian Creek Branch of Olathe Public Library. 50 & Beyond Matinee: “Big Hero 6” (PG). 12:30 p.m. $1. Sylvester Powell. Quality movies for a
March 11 ABCs of Juicing & Blending. 7 p.m. Free. Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Drive. 826-4600. Irish Celebration with “Celtique”. 2 p.m. $9. Matt Ross. Celebrate National Irish American Heritage Month with Irish music and refreshments. Please register by March 4.
March 12 Bingo: Roll Out the Red Carpet Academy Awards. 10 a.m. - noon. $3 for 3 cards at door. Irene B French.
March 13 *Family History Friday. 9 a.m. – noon. Olathe Public Library. Free.
March 16
Movie Monday: “The Long Walk Home.” 12:15
p.m. Lenexa Senior Center. Free. Optional lunch for $3 donation at 11:30 a.m. Call 913-8886141 between 9-10 a.m. 24 hours in advance for lunch reservations.
for $3 donation at 11:30 a.m. Call 913-888-6141 between 9-10 a.m. 24 hours in advance for lunch reservations.
Hardscaping, Plants, Walks and More. 7 p.m. $10. Extension.
Long Blooming Perennials. 7 p.m. $10. Extension.
Dare to Dabble Painting: “Irish Spring” 7-9 p.m. $25. Irene B. French. Instruction and all supplies included in price.
50 & Beyond Matinee: “Theory of Everything.” (PG-13. 12:30 p.m. $1. Sylvester
March 24
March 26
March 17-18 AARP Smart Driver Program. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. $20, $15-AARP members. Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell Avenue. 913-642-6410
March 18
Spring Break Grandparent/Grandchild Watercolor Workshop. 1:30-2:30 p.m. $15. Matt Ross. Fee is for one grandparent and one child. Register at least one week in advance.
March 18-19
Bingo: Dr. Seuss. 1:30 p.m. $5/$6. Roeland Park Community Center. Food, prizes, fun and 12 games of bingo. *Jam Session. 1-2 p.m. Free. Alzheimer’s Association Education Center, 3856 W. 75th St. Jam session for musicians with early stage memory loss and musicians who are caregivers. 913-831-3888.
March 26-27
AARP Smart Driver Program. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. $20, $15-AARP members. Two locations: 1) Sylvester Powell 6200 Martway 913-722-8200; 2) KU MedWest, 7405 Renner Road 913-588-1227
AARP Smart Driver Program. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. $20, $15-AARP members. Two locations: 1) Olathe Community Center, 1000 N Ridgeview 913-971-8563; 2) Blue Valley Recreation, 6545 W. 151st Street 913-685-6000.
AARP Smart Driver Program. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day. $20, $15-AARP members. Lakeview Village, 9000 Park St. 913-888-1900.
Bingo: Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. $3 for 3 cards at door. Irene B French.
March 19-21
Spring Break Living History. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Stop & Farm, 1200 Kansas City Road. 913-9715111..
March 21
Crafts: Scrapbook Crop. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $11/$12. Roeland Park. Transitions. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Alzheimer’s Association Education Center, 3856 W. 75th St. Free. Call 913-831-3888 for reservations.
March 23 Movie Monday: “Stuck in Love.” 12:15 p.m. Lenexa Senior Center. Free. Optional lunch
March 27
March 28 Potluck. 4-7 p.m. $1 plus food item to share with 12-14 people. Lenexa Senior Center. Main meat dish provided, along with set-ups and beverages.
March 30 Movie Monday: “Notting Hill” 12:15 p.m. Lenexa Senior Center. Free. Optional lunch for $3 donation at 11:30 a.m. Call 913-888-6141 between 9-10 a.m. 24 hours in advance for lunch reservations.
March 31 *Life Story Writing. 1-3:30 p.m. Free. Indian Creek Olathe Library, 12990 S. Black Bob Road.
FACILITY LOCATIONS BLUE VALLEY REC.: Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center: 6545 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS 66223; 913-685-6000; www.bluevalleyrec.org.
NEW CENTURY: New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, New Century, KS 66031; 913-826-2860.
CENTRAL RESOURCE LIBRARY: 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212; 913-8264600 and Press 3 for all Johnson County Library reservations.
OLATHE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 201 E. Park St., Olathe, KS 66061; 913-971-6850; to register, 913-971-6888.
EXTENSION: Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe, KS 66061; 913-715-7000; www.johnson.ksu.edu/classes.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE: Prairie Village Community Center, 7720 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208.
INDIAN CREEK: Indian Creek Branch Library, 12990 Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66062; 913-971-6888. IRENE B. FRENCH: Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS 66203; 913-322-5550. LENEXA SENIOR CENTER: 13425 Walnut St., Lenexa, KS 66215; 913-477-7100. MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP AND FARM: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS 66061; 913-971-5111.
ROELAND PARK: Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Drive, Roeland Park, KS 66205; 913-826-3160. SHAWNEE CIVIC CENTRE: 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216; 913-631-5200. SHAWNEE SAFETY CENTER: SenCom computer lab, lower level, 6535 Quivira Road, Shawnee, KS 66203; 913-631-5200.
MATT ROSS: Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, KS 66212; 913-642-6410.
SYLVESTER POWELL: Sylvester Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St., Mission, KS 66202; 913-722-8200.
MILL CREEK: Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista, Shawnee, KS 66218; 913-8262950.
TOMAHAWK RIDGE: Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell Ave., Overland Park, KS 66213; 913-327-6645.
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A SPECTRUM RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
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