August - September 2011 MBCA Section of the Year
www.kcmbca. In this issue:
President’s Message By Jeff Klepac
Columns Presidents Message 1
For those of us who live in the Midwest, our summer has been extremely hot with temps climbing into the triple digits during July. Want cooler weather? Fast forward six months and we’ll be shoveling snow. Feature Articles Ok now, back to today. Rte. 66 The Mother Road 2-3 Even though it’s hot now, don’t Complete Garage Open Ho. 4 let that slow you down too much. Larry Barnes, 550,000 miles 7 Just crank up the A/C and enjoy Doyle Comfort, Cobra 10 the ride! For August’s ‘First Sunday Drive’, we’ve reserved Miscellaneous that day for the annual Smith Rants, Raves and Rallye, where your driving, Ramblings navigational skills and patience Loyalty Awards Program 4 are really put to the test. Some How to Join MBCA 5 might even argue that a Officers and Board 5 marriage counselor will be Club Store Discount 7 Uplift 7 needed afterwards, but hey - it’s Section President Jeff Klepac and his 1976 MerNTB Discount 7 really a fun time. As we roll through cedes-Benz 240D Tire Rack Rebate 7 summer, we’ve got several things planned for you. As you read through this newsletter, Coming up mark your calendar and plan to attend the events that interest you most. Your board of directors have done a great job putting together a wide variety of June - September club events, but we’re always looking for new ideas and leaders for the future. With Smith Rallye 1 Election of Officers 1 that in mind, our annual elections are coming up soon, so consider tossing your name KC Scout System Tour 3 in the ring. We could use your talents. Don’t be a stranger. Hope to meet you soon! Santa Fe Garage Speaker 3 Spaßnacht Dates 5 Calendar 12 Jeff Klepac President | Mercedes-Benz Club of America | Kansas City Section ________________________________________________
Kansas City Section www.kcmbca.org
Election of Officers and Board Members
Smith Rallye Sunday, August 7th The First Sunday Drive on August 7th starts at 12 NOON at the U.S. Bank at 119th St. & Roe in Leawood. At that point you will be given instructions for the Smith Rallye. Joyce and Dudley Smith again have created a route to befuddle your best intuition. Also, plan to attend the social hour at its end. Awards will be given. To be eligible for awards only two people over the age of 10 may be in the car. One driver and one navigator. Entry fee is $10.00 per car. Please RSVP now. We need an approximate number for reservations at the ending get-together.
Nominations for Officers and Board Members will be accepted at the September 3rd breakfast meeting at First Watch Restaurant. Look for your ballot to be sent out in the mail soon. Send the completed ballot to John Ryan before the September meeting, or take the opportunity to vote at the regular meeting at First Watch in September. Submit nominations to John ryan before August 10th. Help us keep the Kansas City Section an exciting SECTIONOF-THE-YEAR group!
Call: Joyce Smith 913-338-0766 email: esmith2078@kc.rr.com
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A Taste of the Mother Road
Submitted by Kathy Menold, Vice President-Event Coordinator, Ozark Section and Jeff Klepac, President, Kansas City Section In June, the Ozark and Kansas City Sections joined up to travel a portion of historical Route 66 in Missouri, Kansas and into Oklahoma. Jeff Klepac, President of the Kansas City Section, and his wife Denise, teamed with Joel and Kathy Menold of the Ozark Section to plan and co-host this multi-state event. Three couples from the Kansas City Section started out early on Friday, June 10th. Their destination was Jimm’s Steakhouse to have lunch with other KC section members who live in the Springfield area. After lunch and a photo op, we quickly made our way onto the mother road and began the Route 66 journey towards Carthage, Mo. Along the way, each couple spent time looking through the antiques at the Whitehall Mercantile in Halltown, admiring the recreated Sinclair station owned by Gary and Lena Turner in Paris Springs, and marveled at the sights found in Red Oak, an old town reconstructed by artist Lowell Davis. Next, we cruised by the Boots Motel and Jasper County courthouse before ending up at the Holiday Inn in Joplin. After a Bar-B-Q dinner, the KC folks spent a restful night in Joplin, Mo. Early Saturday morning, six couples from the Ozark Section drove northward, joining those from Kansas City. The initial plan was to detour around Joplin. However, as we left town, the group ended up skirting some of the storm damage where the massive tornado had struck on May 22nd. What we saw was an unbelievable sight. As the group continued west, we passed by the heavily damaged St. John’s Mercy Hospital in the distance. There were simply no words adequate to express the group’s sorrow for the people of Joplin and their great loss. MBCA members once again picked up old Route 66 and traveled onward to Galena, Kansas. There, we met up with John & Donna Ryan, another couple from the Kansas City section. Saturday’s first stop was at “4 Women on the Route”, a restored Kan-O-Tex gas station and home of “Tow Tater” the inspiration for ‘Tow Mater’ from the “Cars” movie. We enjoyed talking with one of the 4 Women and meeting a group of Scandinavians who had rented 17 Harley Davidson motorcycles and were traveling the entire route of ‘main street America’ from Chicago to Los Angeles. It was a real pleasure visiting with them. From there we motored on a few blocks then stopped at the Galena Mining and Historical Museum. Next stop was at Eisler Brother’s Old Riverton Store. This too was a real treat! I think the group bought out the store’s entire supply of Route 66 bottled Root Beer. Well, maybe we didn’t buy
them out, but the cash register was ringing loudly with sales of Route 66 souvenirs from the back room of their store. From there we drove to the Marsh Arch Rainbow Bridge and Jeff had a great time taking pictures as each car drove slowly over the bridge. We all drove back around and parked our Benz’s side by side for another fabulous photo op on the last remaining bridge of this kind on Route 66.
The Route 66 Caravan of M-B’s stopped for a group photo on the Marsh Arch Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs, KS. The bridge was built in 1923, designed by Barney Marsh, and is the last one of this type on Route 66. Photo by Jeff Klepac
It was a little past lunch time and the group was hungry, so we drove on to Miami, Oklahoma to eat at another famous Route 66 landmark, “Waylan’s Ku-Ku Hamburgers”. Gene Waylan himself was manning the grill, filling our orders for burgers and fries. I must admit, those were tasty burgers. After stuffing ourselves, we continued down Main Street to the Coleman Theatre. This was probably the highlight of our trip. Danny Dillon, a person who possessed a wealth of knowledge about the theatre’s history, gave us a private two and a half hour tour. George L. Coleman Sr., a local mining magnate, built the theatre in 1929. In 1989, the historical structure was donated to the City of Miami by Mr. Coleman’s granddaughter. The restoration and renovation of the theatre has truly become a community labor of love, and completed by generous donations and efforts from many volunteers. Danny mentioned that several visitors and towns’ people had ‘purchased’ theatre seats in the main auditorium. This gave KC Section member Patty Vore an Continued on Page 3
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A Taste of the Mother Road Continued from page 2
idea for what happened next. As a result of her inspiration, all ten couples made a joint decision to purchase a seat, donating a total of $350 for MBCA’s very own place on Route 66 at the Coleman Theatre. So, the next time you’re at the Coleman Theater in Miami, OK, look for the small plaque in aisle M - seat 16 that reads, “Mercedes Benz Club of America, Kansas City Section and Ozark Section”. Just remember ‘M’ for Mercedes-Benz and ‘16’ for Sixteen Valve! Indeed, purchasing that seat for our club was a very special moment for all of us. By late afternoon, we were all getting tired so we checked into our Hotel to rest a couple hours before dinner. We met later at the El Carvario Restaurant on Main Street for some real home cooked Mexican food. The Kansas City Section brought door prizes graciously donated by Mercedes-Benz Members of the Ozark and Kansas City Sections displayed their respective banners at the Coleman Theater, Miami, OK along the of Kansas City. Don and Mary Baker won the Route 66 caravan. door prize for being the longest MBCA members. Photo by Jeff Klepac Larry and Wanda Altman received the door prize for being the newest members to join MBCA. Past President of the Kansas City Section, John Ryan and was the first time for the Kansas City Section. When his wife Donna won the last door prize for the car with the finished looking at the collection, we drove back to Grove, highest odometer mileage when adding up the individual OK. to Har-Ber Village to enjoy the peaceful old town setting, digits. Kathy Menold looked surprised when Jeff presented full of treasured antiques. her with a marvelous book titled, “Images of 66”. This book represents an interactive journey of photos from “The Mother The final stop of the tour was slated for dinner at ‘Chicken Road” all along the way. With his presentation, Jeff thanked Eaters Paradise’, none other than ‘Food Wars’ famous Kathy for her efforts helping him bring together the final plans “Chicken Annie’s”! The Ozark Section had planned to come along, but due to time constraints, took a rain check instead. to make this trip a success and fun for everyone. After hugs and good-byes, they headed homeward. The KC On Sunday morning, June 12th, we were up early and folks journeyed back up to Pittsburg, Kansas and enjoyed headed for Afton, Oklahoma. First stop that day was at the some of the best-fried chicken on the planet. Darryl Starbird Museum. Some Ozark Section members Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy the tour and the new had visited this unique sight of custom cars previously, but it friendships along the way. We’ll have to do this one again for sure. Next time, come join us for a true adventure on Route 66! _____________________________________________________________________
Tour of the K C Scout HQ
John Ryan is the drivemaster for September’s First Sunday Drive. We’re driving through the southern part of Kansas City enroute to the KC Scout Headquarters for a personal tour of Kansas City’s traffic management system. This tour will take us ‘behind the scenes’ as we look deep inside the highway traffic monitoring system for entire Kansas City area. Noon, Sunday, September 4, at US Bank, 119th & Nall.
Santa Fe Garage at Aug. 6 Breakfast David Long, CPA and Greg Smith, ASE Master Technician, are the partners operating Santa Fe Garage Services in Independence, MO. They will be our guests and will tell us about their services. Come and hear about this business at the breakfast meeting Saturday, August 6th.
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Octoberfest German Car Show - Sunday, October 16th Get your car ready to display at the German Car Show to be held at the US Bank Parking lot in Hawthorne Plaza, 119th St. & Roe, Leawood, KS. All of the local German car clubs have been invited to display their cars including BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and of course our MercedesBenz club.
Show cars must be in place at the site by 9:00 AM The show will run until 2:00 PM. Judging will be coordinated by Rich Carlson. More information will follow in the next issue of der Benz!
$1,000 Loyalty Rewards Program Congratulations! Being and staying a member of the MercedesBenz Club of America (MBCA) has its privileges. Because you have been a member 12 consecutive months or longer without lapse, you automatically qualify for the NEW $1,000 Loyalty Rewards Program being offered by Mercedes-Benz USA to Mercedes-Benz Club of America members only. This Program, new in 2011, entitles you to $1,000 off the price of any 2010, 2011 or 2012 Mercedes-Benz vehicle (excluding Sprinter Vans) that you purchase from an authorized U.S. MercedesBenz Dealership. To receive your $1,000 discount: Go to your favorite authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz Dealership and negotiate the best price for a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Present an Official Loyalty Rewards Program “Member in Good Standing” Certificate to the Dealer (carefully read #2 below). The Dealer will take $1,000 off the purchase price of your vehicle instantly. To print your Official Loyalty Rewards Program “Member in Good Standing” Certificate, please read these instructions carefully.
You will have 60 days from the day you print your Certificate to bring the Certificate to your Dealer for a $1,000 discount. Certificates will not be accepted anytime after 60 calendar days past the date it was printed (the expiration date will be printed on the Certificate) Once you print a Certificate, you will be unable to print another one Primary Club members may redeem one $1,000 Reward Certificate during calendar year 2011. The vehicle must be purchased in the Primary member’s name Associate Club members may redeem one $1,000 Reward Certificate in calendar year 2011. The vehicle must be purchased in the Associate member’s name. Copied, forged or otherwise altered Certificates are prohibited. Certificates may not be redeemed toward vehicles purchases prior to January 1, 2011 Questions? Please call the MBCA’s National Business Office in Colorado Springs at 1.800.637.2360 weekdays from 8am-5pm Mountain Time
Complete Garage
15209 W. 87th Street Lenexa, KS 66219 913-322-9175
Photo by Bob Smith
Our friends at Complete Garage hosted the KC Section for our June Spaßnacht. Members enjoyed appetizers and beverages while learning about the many services and products available to use in caring for our cars. The store carries many products to enhance your own garage or workshop to make it efficient and easy to work in. Thanks to owner, Wayne Zetzman, and his staff for treating us to an enjoyable evening. From there we went to nearby Panzon’s Restaurant for dinner and more camaraderie
For the best in Car Care For all your detailing needs, visit us at the Complete Garage. We have Griot’s full line of car care products. Save the shipping and get it today. www.Complete-Garage.com
kcmbca.org
Spaßnacht Find out more: www.kcmbca.org Click on “Club Info”
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Join Mercedes-Benz Club of America Kansas City Section • Bi-monthly issues of our award-winning, full-color national magazine, The Star, and bi-monthly issues of our awardwinning section newsletter, der Benz! • Owner Loyalty Program with a $1,000.00 Discount Certificate good on the purchase of certain M-B vehicles. • 15% discount on parts, labor and accessories at Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City.
• National events with a wide variety of driving and social events, technical information and active discussion forums. • Local events: Monthly breakfast meetings and pub nights, tech sessions, dining events, historic and driving tours, autocross and driver education events, rallyes, track events, picnics, annual holiday party, charitable events, concours, and more.
JOIN NOW! www.mbca.org or call 1-800-637-2360 Your membership includes an associate membership for another person in your household in the Mercedes-Benz Club of America and the Kansas City Section. Ownership of a Mercedes-Benz not a prerequisite. 1 year $45, 2 years $87, 3 years $127.
August 15, 7:00 PM
Jazz A Louisiana Kitchen at the Legends 1859 Village W Pkwy Kansas City, KS ___________________ September 19, 7:00 PM
Cascone’s Italian Restaurant 6863 W 91st St. Overland Park, KS ___________________ October 17, 7:00 PM To Be Announced ___________________ November 21, 7:00 PM To Be Announced __________________
2011 MBCA Kansas City Section
Officers and Board Members Officers Phone E-mail
Jeff Klepac, president (913) 782-5865 jeff@kcmbca.org Kevin Arburn, vice president (913) 648-7675 kevin@kcmbca.org Dudley Smith, secretary (913) 338-0766 dudley@kcmbca.org Joyce Smith, treasurer (913) 338-0766 joyce@kcmbca.org John Ryan, past president (913) 268-1252 grownup@kcmbca.org
Board of Directors
Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 bob.d@kcmbca.org Melvin Price (816) 721-0640 melvin@kcmbca.org Donna Ryan (913) 268-1252 donna@kcmbca.org Bob Poduch (913) 327-1632 bob.p@kc.rr.com Faith Whitley (913) 491-6288 faith@kcmbca.org Doug Whitley (913) 491-6288 doug@kcmbca.org Rich Carlson (913) 897-0260 rich@kcmbca.org Philip King (913) 585-9979 pking@kcmbca.org Denise Klepac (913) 782-5865 denise@kcmbca.org Mark Moody (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.org
Newsletter Editor Bob Smith
(913) 268-8984 newsletter@kcmbca.org John Ryan (913) 268-1252 grownup@kcmbca.org
Webmeister-Administrator Membership Director
Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 membership@kcmbca.org Midwest Regional Director Bill Denton (Oak Brook, IL) (603) 734-3200 regional.director@kcmbca.org
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Eveland Bros. Collision Repair
Certified Mercedes-Benz Collision Repair Center • Vehicles restored to pre-accident condition • Expert color matching • Foreign and domestic
• Factory trained technicians • State of-the-art equipment • Rental cars available
Call for an appointment
• Insurance claims assistance • Environmentally safe • Written limited lifetime warranty
913-262-6050
7200 W. Frontage Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66203 www.evelandbros.com
Kansas City’s independent Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lexus, Land Rover and Audi repair shop.
New Location 5400 Antioch Rd. Merriam, Kansas 66202 913-432-7800
Not just your average garage...
Bosch Authorized Service
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Larry Barnes’ 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 Reaches 550,000 Miles
It was only three years ago that Larry Barnes reached the 450,000 mile mark on his ‘97 S320. During that year his car graced the cover of one edition of the STAR magazine and featured a nice story about Larry and his car. This year, during the week of June 17th, Larry arrived at yet another milestone, reaching over 550,000 miles. Like the renowned Fender guitars that Larry is involved with professionally, his Mercedes-Benz continues to perform magnificently.
Willkommen New Members !
Paul Bjelica, Smithville, MO Darlene Buckley, Kansas City, MO
Terry Calloway, Pittsburg, KS Delbert Clark, Kansas City, MO Ray Gentile, Olathe, KS Gregory Gomer, Bonner Springs, KS Robert McKeehan, Olathe, KS Jean Rink, Olathe, KS We look forward to meeting you soon at one of our events.
Request from the NBO With every email and address update that we receive at the NBO, (either by website, phone, email or snail mail), we will send a 10 % Off Coupon for one item in the Club Store. One coupon per member will be sent electronically (so it must include a valid email address). Please send these updates to Geni at geni@mbca.org. Remember, incorrectly mailed items cost the club money!
Uplift Organization, Inc. accepts donations of goods and funds. See the Uplift website at www.uplift.org for a list of needed items and how to donate them.
There is a link to TireRack on the Kansas City Section’s website, www. kcmbca.org. Click the link, which is the logo shown above, to enter the TireRack website to buy their products. The K.C. Section receives a small rebate when you purchase their products through our website.
NTB Offers Discount to KCMBCA Members Larry and his M-B on the cover of The Star after the 450,000 mile achievement. Photo by Rich Carlson
“Five hundred and fifty thousand nine hundred forty two miles” reads the Odometer of Larry Barnes’ 1997 S320, June 2011. Photos of odometer by Larry Barnes
NTB National Tire & Battery is offering a discount for KCMBCA members. Our friend, Brandon Ebert, the manager at the 119th & Metcalf store arranged for that generous discount for our members. Mention account #913-660-8439 and your club membership to the salesman/ service writer.
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Refinishing
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Straightening
Remanufacturing
CoreFirst Bank & Trust was a major sponsor of the Mid-America Caravan in 2009
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First Sunday Drive for June to Motorsports Legends, Topeka, KS, and Doyle Comfort’s 1966 Cobra by Jeff Klepac
The car is a 1966 Competition 427 Cobra Recreation built by Alain Vanhollebeke of Motorsports Legends in Topeka. The paint and body work is by Mike Garrison of High Torque Racing, Meriden, KS.
Doyle Comfort shows other KC Section members some of the unique features of the front suspension. His project car is nearing completion. Photo by Mark Moody The Recreation (Based on a modified Factory Five Racing Kit) is a co-operative project between KCMBCA member Doyle Comfort and Allain Vanhollebeke and strives to maintain some of the character of Carrol Shelby’s original Cobra CSX 3012, which had a Ford Racing 427 cubic inch engine, while making it unique using updated technology in many areas. The frame has been fully powder coated to protect against corrosion but the original Mercedes-Benz body color of Astral Silver will cover the graceful body lines. The engine is a potent Ford Racing 306 cubic inch crate motor, paired to a 5 speed Borg-Warner transmission. Out back, the torque is transferred to both rear wheels via a Torsen equipped Ford 8.8 inch aluminum case differential with a 3:54 gear ratio, the same ratio as in the original car. To make this agressive machine behave appropriately, the front and rear suspension uses original style coil over Konis with independent suspension. Also, beefed up molybdenum sway bars are present both fore and aft. To enhance handling, ten degrees of positive caster was dialed into the front suspension, making for better high speed stability (this is also a feature found in vehicles adorned with the three pointed star). The wheels are original style Halibrands with pin drive knock-offs using wire keepers that safely ensure the wheels stay in place during operation. The addition of power assisted disc brakes with steel braided lines will help bring this beast back to a standstill in short order. Liberal quantities of heat and sound insulation will help deflect some of the exhaust temperature and keep the occupants from wearing ear plugs. If cooler weather is present, no problemo. Just flip the switch, and the heated seats will keep both driver and passenger nice and toasty. The original car of course
KC Section members were simply amazed at the craftsmanship demonstrated in this project. This is the 40th Cobra replica built by Alain Vanhollebeke at his shop in Topeka, KS. Photo by Mark Moody
was built for one purpose - racing to win; but Doyle’s project car can cruise at ‘altitude’ for long distance simply by engaging the cruise control. Obviously not something found on its predecessor. How fast will this car go? Both Doyle and Alain will only say ‘plenty fast’. But to borrow a term I heard used by the Daimler folks a few year back (when introducing the Dodge Viper) they eagerly said, “This car will take you from ‘zero to jail’ in less than six seconds”. I suspect that description fits this car too. Did I mention each seat will be equipped with a 5 point safety harness? Safety first! Hang on tight Maureen! :-)) Carroll Shelby originally intended for the 427 Cobra
(the Mark III) to be a race-only design. The previous 289 Cobra, assembled at AC’s plant in England, was losing its racing supremacy by 1965. Shelby’s answer was the big block Ford 427 side oiler racing engine. To handle the
additional power and weight, Shelby re-designed the chassis which included a wider, stronger frame as well as coil-over springs at all four corners. The new 427 cars continued to be assembled at AC’s plant at Thames Ditton-Surry, England. The initial production run was fifty cars. However, only nineteen of these “competition” versions (including CSX 3012) were sold in full competition trim. The remaining 31 unsold competition Cobras were converted to 427 S/C (“semi comp”) trim for street as well as track use. These first fifty 427 “racing” Cobras can be identified by the hood scoop, side pipes and driver’s roll bar. Shelby’s later run of (approximately) three hundred big block street Cobras did not include these distinctive features. The Original CSX 3012 was invoiced 1/11/65 to Valley Mercedes-Benz Service, Van Nuys, California. It’s body color was Mercedes-Benz Astral Silver. The original car raced in 1965 at Riverside, Laguna Seca, Santa Barbara, Pomona and MidOhio. This original car also became a ‘movie star’, appearing in “Spinout”, starring Elvis Presley.
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What activities would you like to do with your Benz friends in 2011? Contact a board member and let them know.
August
Aug. 6 Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM Aug. 7 Smith Rallye, First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Aug. 15 Spaßnacht 7 PM, Jazz at the Legends, 1859 W Village Pkwy, KCK.
September
Sep. 3 Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM. Last chance to vote in the election of officers. Guest, Matt Yates, M-B of KC Sep. 4 First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Sep. 19 Spaßnacht, 7 PM, Cascone’s Italian Restaurant, 6863 W 91st St. Overland Park, Ks
October
Oct. 1 Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM Oct. 2 First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Oct. 16 Octoberfest, German Car Show, US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, 9:00 AM Oct 17 Spaßnacht, 7 PM,
November
Nov. 5 Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM Nov. 6 First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Nov 21 Spaßnacht, 7 PM,
For the latest list of events, visit our Web site at: www.kcmbca.org Smart Phone Users, click this QR Code and our website will magically appear on your phone. Our calendar is continuously being reviewed and updated throughout the year. It’s never too late to suggest activities that you think would be of interest to our members.
Breakfast is at 9 AM the first Saturday of each month at the First Watch, Shawnee Mission Pkwy. at Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS. Order your favorites from the menu. Individual checks.
First-Class Mail U.S. postage paid shawnee mission, ks permit no. 1131
MBCA Section of the Year !
15678 S. Lindenwood Dr. Olathe, Kansas 66062