Hobbies

11/18/09 - Youth can make a variety of holiday ornaments during a program being offered by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.

The program is called Clay Holiday Ornaments and is for ages 10 to 14. Participants will have fun making and customizing ornaments to commemorate the year or a special person. The instructor will have all the necessary supplies. Perform a catalog search for the keyword "art" to find this program in the JCPRD’s Activities Catalog and online listings.

11/18/09 - Personalized letters from Santa are available through a program being offered by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District’s 50 Plus Program.

To arrange a letter from Santa for that special person, call or stop by the Overland Park 50 Plus office in the Matt Ross Community Center, at 8101 Marty, Overland Park, or call (913) 642-6410 by Dec. 11. The cost is $5 per letter. Perform a catalog search for the keywords "special interest" to find this program in the JCPRD’s Activities Catalog and online listings.

11/18/09 - Visit the annual celebration of "Eagle Days" at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge through a birdwatching trip being offered by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.

Always a participant favorite, this trip affords a close-up view of our national bird. The trip will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, and will include a special presentation including a close-up look at a mature Bald Eagle and tour of the refuge and a chance to look through spotting scopes to view this amazing bird. It is not unusual to observe 150 to 200 bald eagles on the refuge and surrounding area. Other wildlife such as ducks, geese, and deer have also been observed in past years. Perform a catalog search for the keywords "outdoor adventure" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

11/11/09 - Youth chefs are invited to bake and decorate yummy holiday cookies during a new program being offered by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.

The program is called Holiday Bake & Decorate Cookies & Treats and is a great way for children ages six through ten to get started celebrating the holidays. Creative designs will be used to finish our treats. Perform a catalog search for the keyword "cooking" to find this program in the JCPRD’s Activities Catalog and online listings.

TubaChristmas 2009 will be hosted by The Kansas City Symphony on Friday, December 4. This event will be one of 240 TubaChristmas concerts presented around the United States in tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day 1902. The TubaChristmas ensemble performs traditional Christmas carols and songs, many of which were arranged by noted American composer Alec Wilder, who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980. The memories of Bell and Wilder are celebrated in the annual performances of TubaChristmas groups around the nation.

Contact: Michelle Barone
On A Wing And A Prayer
816-453-7705
mbarone29@yahoo.com

Sports fans can meet Gary Graf, author of three books on the parallels between the Bible and football, baseball and golf, during the Christmas Open House at On A Wing And A Prayer this Saturday, November 14th. Graf will be doing book signings between 10:00-12:00 and 1:30-3:30, and author readings will be held at 11:00 and 2:30. On A Wing And A Prayer is located at 6032 NE Antioch Road, in Gladstone, Missouri. Gary Graf's three best-selling books are:
Gary Graf - on football
Gary Graf - on baseball
Gary Graf - on golf

(KANSAS CITY) – The Kansas City Symphony marks the beginning of the holiday season with Handel’s Messiah on Thanksgiving weekend. The Kansas City Symphony and Chorus join with the Independence Messiah Choir for this mosaic of the scriptures, which remains Handel’s most famous work. With over 400 musicians on stage, it is one of the most triumphant choral pieces ever written. Messiah is best known for its familiar “Hallelujah” chorus.

11/04/09 - A new season of Animals Tales Storytime sessions is beginning at the Johnson County Park & Recreation District's Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe. Young children and their parents are invited to come listen and learn during any or all of the eight different sessions scheduled between Dec. 2 and March 24.

11/04/09 - Youth ages three to six can get into the holiday spirit through a new dance program being offered by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District in early December.

The program is called Jingle Bell Dance. Participants will make their own jingle bell ringer, do the hop, sing the song, and have a ringing good time. All supplies and a treat are included. Perform a catalog search for the keywords "movement & art" to find this program in the JCPRD's Activities Catalog and online listings.

11/4/09 - An updated version of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's most-asked-for publication is now available. The Trail Guide to Hiking and Biking in Johnson County, a four-color map-style guide showing all county and municipal trials in the county, has been updated and reprinted.

“A séance for piano and orchestra" -- ghosts of music's past weave through the three movement concerto

(Kansas City) - The Kansas City Symphony will present the world premiere of Lost Souls - A Piano Concerto by Israeli composer Avner Dorman on November 20-22. Lost Souls tell the haunting story of a séance summoning ghosts of concertos past, ending in an exorcism. Praised by Gramophone Magazine as “a fresh, young voice, worth following,” Avner Dorman is a rising star composer whose orchestral works were recently performed by the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY HOSTS
KENNEDY CENTER PRESIDENT MICHAEL KAISER FOR FREE COMMUNITY ARTS CONVERSATION ON NOVEMBER 18

Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser to Travel to all 50 States, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., to address the challenges facing non-profit performing arts organizations today

10/28/09 - Almost as regular as the bird migrations its participants seek to observe is the offering each November of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District's fall birdwatching trip to the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

10/28/09 - Whether you want to hear a good story or you're adult who wants to learn to tell a good story, there's an event to help you celebrate the International Day of Storytelling on Nov. 21 at the Ernie Miller Nature Center. Events include Tellabration 2009 for all ages from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and a Storytelling Workshop for adults 18 and older from 1 to 3 p.m.

6 SHOCKING LIES FROM YOUR KANSAS CITY PERSONAL TRAINER

Before I get myself in trouble within my industry and open myself up to more controversy than I already have, let me begin by saying there are many Kansas City personal trainers who are extremely good at what they do and I have been fortunate to work with many of them and learn a whole heck of a lot. On the other hand it is a wonder where some got their certifications, and why their personalities are as dry as desert sand.

Combat The Holiday Weight Gain With A Kansas City Boot Camp!

Men and women throughout Kansas City are searching for the best way to lose weight. Hundreds and even thousands of these hard-working men and women do not see the results they are looking for. The reoccurring problem is that people who want to lose weight try their hardest, but do not really know how to shed the pounds. They try fad diets and workout in the gym without a trainer trying desperately to sculpt their bodies into that ideal image they have been dreaming of. If you are one of these people, then you might consider a local Kansas City Boot Camp. These programs generally are a foolproof way to shed the fat in the shortest amount of time!

For the Past 47 years Pioneer Gun Club has been helping hunters get their firearms properly sighted in for deer hunting. A properly and accurately sighted in firearm is the key to a successful hunt and a necessity for safety.

10/14/09 - Night animals and possums and pumpkins are the subjects of the final two Animal Tales Storytime sessions planned this fall at the Johnson County Park & Recreation District's Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe. Young children and their parents are invited to come listen and learn during any of the sessions.

Zona Rosa welcomes 10 new stores, services this fall

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Zona Rosa is opening a number of new stores in the development’s Phase II and a few stores in Phase I just in time for the busy holiday shopping season.

Kansas City-

Dave Wendler has brought his guitar/stringed instrument design and manufacturing to Kansas City. Besides holding a patent in the stringed instrument amplification field, he has also built more than 200 guitars, basses, mandolins and violins using his unique approach to amplified acoustic instruments. For more than thirty years he has lent his skills to repairing fretted instruments, acquired a US patent in the field of acoustic amplification, and also spent several years as the Quality Assurance Engineer in a major US guitar factory. While his instruments may appear to be solid body electric designs, the sonic signature is much more “acoustic” than “electric“.

A revitalized lakehomes Magazine arrives in homes this coming November, after three months of planning and research, featuring a new dedication to journalistic integrity, thoughtful reporting and brilliant design. In a market of general interest publications lakehomes stands apart, building a strong relationship with some of Kansas City’s most affluent through a common passion for the finer celebrations of life.

10/7/09 - The works of 40 Johnson County artists will be showcased during the fifth-annual Johnson County Art Fest exhibit opening Sunday, Nov. 1. The juried exhibition runs through Nov. 22 at the Ernie Miller Nature Center located at 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe.

Child KickFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Bryan Stevenson - 816-536-7493

LOCATION: Dragon Family Martial Arts & Fitness Center, 13901 E Noland Court, Independence, MO 64055

DATE: October 17, 2009

Hopeful Tomorrow National Kick-A-Thon

Hopeful Tomorrow, a national children’s charity that provides tuition for underprivileged and at-risk youth to enable them to participate in martial arts programs, is gearing up for its second World Martial Arts Day on October 17, 2009. The theme for this year’s event is “Kickin’ in the USA”. Martial artists across the United States are expected to execute kicks to break the world record, which stands at more than 8.3 million kicks in one hour (Black Belt Magazine Oct 2009). Dragon Family Martial Arts Center will be joining the team this year with youth and adult members. Participants will spend the day kicking their hearts out to raise funds for the charity. Starting at 9am, Cardio/Self-defense classes will be available throughout the day for a donation of $15 per person. Get a workout while giving to charity. RSVP with Sifu Bryan at 816-536-7493.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24th, 2009. The Kansas City BBQ Society's Great American BBQ Tour will make a stop at Backyard Bash BBQ Headquarters in Parkville, Missouri on September 30th, 2009 from 4pm - 7pm. The tour, which travels to the nation's top BBQ competitions and food events, chooses several retail BBQ locations to stop at, as well. The event is free and open to the public.

KC Cafe RadioMusicians from Kansas City and West-Central Missouri will be the feature attraction at a unique presentation of fine music and fine wines, Sunday September 27, from 2 to 5 PM, at Montserrat Vineyards, just east of Warrensburg, MO. The free event is sponsored by KC Cafe Radio

Professional hoofers and novice shufflers alike will have the chance to show off their best moves and dance kicks this holiday season as Hilton Garden Inn celebrates the second year as official hotel sponsor of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the Radio City Rockettes, by encouraging consumers to submit their high kicks and dance moves to the “Holiday Kick Start” video contest.

9/16/09 - Times are still available for fall hayrides at Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, or Heritage Park, 16000 Pflumm Road, Olathe. Organized hayrides for groups are available through Nov. 22 and conclude with a warm campfire where apple cider and marshmallows await!

Alana Simmons, Miss Virginia Essence was crowned Miss Essence 2009-2010.
The Miss Essence Pageant was held on August 31, 2009 at the Gem Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. The Pageant included young ladies all over the country varying in ages from 18 to 38 and was judged on interview, swimsuit and evening gown. Judges were top professionals in the business, fashion, and sports industry. Simmons received over $3000 in prizes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Bryan Stevenson - 816-536-7493, bryan@dragonfamilymartialarts.com

LOCATION: 16200 E US Highway 40, Kansas City, Mo 64136

DATE: October 2, 3 and 4, 2009

To benefit Dragon Family Martial Arts Center’s excellent scholarship program a Juggling Festival will be held by the Kansas City Juggling Club. They will provide you with an arena in which you can set your record.

Shooting RangeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Bryan Stevenson - 816-536-7493, bryan@dragonfamilymartialarts.com

LOCATION: Dragon Family Martial Arts & Fitness Center, 13901 E Noland Court, Independence, MO 64055

DATE: September 26, 2009

TIME: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

All law abiding persons who feel the need to protect themselves have the right to do so now that the state government has allowed us to defend ourselves with the right to carry concealed weapons. Dragon Family Martial Arts Center is proud to sponsor the Conceal and Carry Course with Michael D. Nelson. For adults 21 and up,