Pets and animals

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 - Children three to five can bring a parent and enjoy a morning meal followed by a visit with Santa during a program called Breakfast With Santa being presented by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.

11/11/09 - Individuals, families, and groups wanting to make a difference are invited to consider contributing a gift to the animals at the Ernie Miller Nature Center through a program called Holidays for the Animals.

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.

(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.

Shatto Milk Company is introducing a new product straight from their local family dairy farm, Shatto Cheese Curds. Shatto Cheese Curds are the only fresh Cheese Curds offered in the Kansas City area. Cheese curds are one of the greatest and healthiest foods of all time! Lots of protein and calcium but 0% carbs, 0% sugar and 0% trans fats. If you've had them before, you probably want some right now! If you've never had them, you're in for a treat!

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.

Tails R Waggin Paws for the Holidays(Overland Park, KS) Donation and food drive hosted by Overland Park, KS, Doggy Daycare

“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

Kansas City, MO, Oct. 31, 2009 – Rupert Isaacson will be in town for a benefit screening of the movThe Horse Boy, on Thursday, November 19 at the Tivoli in Westport Manor Square at 7:30 p.m. H.O.R.S.E., a local organization that serves children on the autism spectrum will host a reception with The Horse Boy author at 6:30 p.m.. Tickets for the special screening and reception are $25 and can be purchased at www.horsehelpspeople.org or by phone at 816-318-1881.

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.

MERRIAM, KS – A record number of dogs and cats were treated to a new home for Halloween during Animal Haven’s Dogtoberfest Adopt-a-thon event. Over 165 dogs, cats, and two rabbits were adopted during the 3-day event, reducing the amount of pets currently held at the shelter by 40%. Many of the pets adopted over the weekend were dogs like Mischa, who had been at the shelter for over a year awaiting a caring home.

10/21/09 - The Johnson County Park & Recreation District's yearly 50 Plus birdwatching trip to the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a day filled with wildlife viewing and an annual favorite.

Draw the Dog makes dogs famous, and the website has been looking for talent in Kansas City, every since the co-founders read in Forbes that Kansas City is one of the most pet friendly cities in America.

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.

News Release

Erica Lane, (913) 451-7299
erica@pawzatplay.com

PAWZ AT PLAY IS “LEADING THE PACK” TO FIGHT HUNGER FOR PETS OF THE HOMELESS IN KANSAS CITY

KANSAS CITY – October is National Adopt-A-Dog month. To celebrate, Wayside Waifs is offering an adoption special to give our big dogs a new leash on life.

All dogs weighing over 45 pounds will be available for just one dollar a pound or $75, whichever is less. This special offer is good through October 31st.

KC Dog Runners gives shelter dogs a treat by taking those with high energy, out for a 30-45 min run. We run at 9:00 a.m. on the second and third Saturdays of every month, rotating between Wayside Waifs, Animal Haven, and Pet Connection. If interested in volunteering please contact us through our website at http://kcdogrunners.com, visit the Volunteer tab, and ask to be added to the Volunteer email distribution list.

Critter Sitter Connection, LLC Receives 2009 Kansas City Award
U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Critter Sitter Connection, LLC has been selected for the 2009 Kansas City Award in the Pet Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

Lenexa, Kansas

It has been calculated that currently there are somewhere on the order of 72 million dogs owned by Americans. Those faithful pups are outnumbered by 82 million domestic cats! So it is inevitable that at any given time thousands of pets are roaming free, having escaped their owners for some "exploring" time.

Volunteams.org, Spay & Neuter Kansas City Partner for Sunday’s "Sack for a Sack"

Goal to raise monetary, food donations to replenish Pet Outreach Program’s resources

What:
Volunteams.org, on behalf of Spay & Neuter Kansas City, will be hosting a Chiefs watch party to raise monetary and food donations to replenish resources for Spay & Neuter Kansas City’s Pet Outreach Program. Kansas City Chiefs fans and Kansas City-area pet lovers are invited to pledge a sack of dog food to SNKC for every Chiefs tackle of Michael Vick during the Chiefs/Eagles game on Sunday. If Vick should go untouched, we ask those who pledge to commit a pound of dog food for every KC Chiefs tackle. Spay & Neuter Kansas City is also accepting individual dog food and monetary donations for those who prefer that option over pledging. Additionally, McFadden’s is offering 25 cent wings and drink specials.

Local Adopt-a-Thon and Weenie Dog Contest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 25, 2009) – Today marks the beginning of the 20th Annual Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest, running Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27 in Historic Downtown Lee’s Summit. Brookside Barkery and Bath will be sponsoring an adopt-a-thon which will include 12 adoption groups from local no-kill shelters, and will run Friday from 5 – 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on 3RD St. between Main St. and Market St.

Zhu Zhu Pets have invaded Kansas City!

The world’s first artificially intelligent hamsters will soon be making appearances around town and flying off the shelves at local retail stores. Zhu Zhu Pets are just like real hamsters without the mess. They talk and move around in their own playsets. Real hamsters require daily care and can cost upward of $100 to buy their food and habitats. Zhu Zhu Pets are considerably cheaper and require no maintenance, but they are just as much fun!

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.

Pet BlessingThe public is invited to bring their beloved animals to the St. Andrew’s tent during the Strutt with your Mutt event for a special blessing!

Timberwolf Organics Donates to Overland Park Dog Rescue Organization

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (September 11, 2009) – Timberwolf Organics, Inc., a manufacturer of natural pet foods, has made a major contribution to the Kansas chapter of Dogs Deserve Better (DDB), a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to freeing the chained dog.

Personable Pets invites you to attend their interactive Dog Safety Fair

According to the CDC, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention. Most dog bites can be prevented. If you would like to learn how to remain safer around dogs, please plan to attend the Dog Safety Fair on Sunday, October 11th 2009. This event is sponsored by Personable Pets Inc. Dog Training and hosted by Tails ‘R Waggin Doggy Daycare, 6976 W. 152nd Terr., in Overland Park, Kansas. The Dog Safety Fair begins at 1:00 p.m. and will end at 4:00 p.m. This event is for human participants only – please leave your pet at home. For more information visit Personable Pets’ web site at http://www.personablepets.com or call (913)-212-8007.

Be a fan of thrills and skills:

Help send me "Over the Edge!"

Local Kansas City Motivational Fitness Guru and personal trainer Kri Chay has committed to take on the opportunity of a lifetime. He will be rappelling down a local Kansas City skyscraper called The Clubhouse on Friday August 28, 2009 so that Special Olympics athletes in our area can train, compete and enjoy a lifetime of their own exciting memories.