Dec. 2 Community Calendar

Ongoing

Each year Safehome, a domestic violence shelter, provides a Holiday Store, full of community donations, where clients can select holiday gifts for loved ones at no charge. In 2008, more than 650 women and children received gifts through the store. Safehome is now accepting new, unwrapped gifts for the store, which is open from 10 a.m. Dec. 3 through 8 p.m. Dec. 18. For donation drop-off information, call 378-1512 or visit www.safehome-ks.org.

Bass Pro Shops, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, Olathe, presents Santa’s Wonderland from noon to 5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 20. Children can make a reindeer hat Dec. 5 and 6, make reindeers out of candy canes Dec. 12 and 13, and decorate cookies for Santa Dec. 19 and 20. Other activities include model trains, slot car racing, remote control cars, Red Ryder® laser arcade, Nerf-type soft gun range, The Strike bass fishing game, and tables to color and write letters to Santa. Free 4-by-6-inch photos with Santa and his reindeer are available from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. All events are free. For details, visit www.basspro.com/santa.

Thursday, Dec. 3 

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas Highway 7, Olathe, is collecting supplies for animals kept at the center and wild animals that come to the feeders. For a detailed list of needed items, visit www.jcprd.com or call 764-7759.

Performances of the 12th season of “The Mystery of Christmas” are at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. Dec 4, and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the YouthFront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd., Westwood. The ballet includes the classical music of Tschaikowsky’s “Nutcracker.” The cast is comprised of Dramatic Truth School of the Arts ballet company members and students, Marc Wayne of the Culture House and MAXXAS Dance Theater, and international mime Scott Wasson. For tickets, call (816) 767-9222 or go to www.dramatictruth.org.

Funky Mama performs interactive songs for toddlers and preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. at Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City, 5700 King St., Shawnee. For admission information, call 287-8888 or visit www.wonderscope.org.

Brain Balance Achievement Center holds an information event from 7 to 9 p.m. at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell St., Overland Park. The center offers program for children with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, Aspergers, Tourettes, OCD and other neurological disorders. To reserve a seat, call 627-9400 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Friday, Dec. 4 

JET Express, Jewish Family Services’ volunteer driver program for older adults, needs drivers. The next training session is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 4 in the board room of the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park. Volunteer drivers must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance coverage, the ability to use their own vehicle and attend a training session. To sign up, call 327-8257 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Central Exchange South, 6201 College Blvd., Suite 245 Overland Park, presents a Holiday Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. features complimentary wine and appetizers. Admission is free and there will be networking and door prizes.

Santa’s Olathe Station Workshop, next to Half Price Books at 119th Street and Strang Line Road, offers photos with Santa from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5. Photos are free for those who present at least $100 in non-grocery receipts dated Nov. 27 through Dec. 5 from one or more of the center’s nearly 50 shops and restaurants. The first 400 children will receive a free Christmas ornament, and there will be coloring pages to decorate. For information, call (816) 507-2124.

The 10th annual Holiday Luminary Walk is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Nov. 27 and 28. Guests can enjoy one-mile of candlelit trails, lighted displays, holiday music, bonfire, refreshments and Santa Claus appearances from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. For details, call 685-3604 or visit www.opabg.org.

Mission’s annual Holiday Lights and Festive Sights event takes place on Johnson Drive, between Dearborn and Outlook streets. At 5 p.m., guests can snack on free popcorn and watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Story” at the Mission Theatre. Mayor Laura McConwell will light the Christmas tree at 6:15 pm., and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6:30 p.m. Popular children’s entertainer Dino O’Dell performs at 7 p.m. and area high school choirs will sing carols. A fireworks display will be at 8:15 p.m. During the event, children can decorate cookies and have their faces painted. There also will be a fire pit and free s’mores and hot cocoa. For information, visit www.missioncvb.org.

The annual Lenexa Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Lenexa Community Center, 13420 Oak St. After the arrival of Santa, the event will move inside the center where visitors of all ages can enjoy school choir and dance performances, visits with Santa, holiday refreshments, and train rides. At the Holiday Secret Shop children can purchase gifts for under $5. For information, call 541-0209. 

The Republic Tigers with special guest Ad Astra Per Aspera perform at 7 p.m. in Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park. Kansas City-based rock band The Republic Tigers released its debut album “Keep Color” in 2008 with the singles “Buildings and Mountains” and “Fight Song.” For tickets, 469-4445.

Saturday, Dec. 5

Children age 3 to 5 can bring a parent for Breakfast With Santa, presented by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas Highway 7, Olathe. Santa will have a gift for each child and listen to their Christmas lists, explain the winter habits of animals, and help participants make a gift. The program will be offered again Saturday, Dec. 12. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Madison Place Elementary School, 16651 S. Warwick, Olathe, hosts a Merry Market & Waffle Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Guests can eat waffles, take pictures with Santa, and enjoy shopping for the entire family with local vendors and crafters. There will be a children’s shopping area where kids can pick out a surprise for mom and dad. Admission is free to the public.

“Holiday Bake & Decorate Cookies & Treats” for children age 6 to 10 is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Culinary Resource Center, 13444 Santa Fe Trail Drive, Lenexa. The program will be offered again at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Docents will host “Holiday Traditions on the Prairie” from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Historic Oxford Schoolhouse in Ironwoods Park, 147th Street and Mission Road, Leawood. Guests will learn about holiday celebrations on the Plains at the turn of the 20th century, enjoy refreshments, play games, make crafts, help string popcorn and cranberries, decorate the tree and sing songs from the past. Musician Scott Klamm will play traditional American instruments. Admission is free. For information, call 339-6700, ext. 157.

Shawnee Indian Mission State Historical Site, 3403 W. 53rd St., Fairway, holds its annual holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 6 with 1800s decorations, musical entertainment, holiday crafts and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public. Call 262-0867 for more information.

“Nutcracker Dancers” for children age 3 ½ to 6 is from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Kozetta’s Dance Studio, 14930 W. 119th St., Olathe. Participants will learn a short ballet routine to be performed for parents during the last five minutes of the program. Students may wear leotards or tutus; ballet shoes are required. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

“Make it, Eat it, Try it” Brownie workshop is from 10 a.m. to noon at Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe. Participants will earn a Girl Scout patc h. To register, call 715-7000 or visit www.johnson.ksu.edu.

Fibromyalgia/CFS Support Group meets from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. at Countryside Christian Church, 6101 Nall Ave., Mission. Debra Filla will speak on the “Gluten, Celiac & the Hunter/Gatherer Diet.” For reservations, call 384-4673.

Mommy & Me Christmas Bracelet class for children age 5 to 10, with an adult, is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Beadazzler, 7315 W. 80th St., Overland Park. Participants will design and create a bracelet for the holidays. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Entrée Vous, 3828 W. 95th St., Leawood, a meal preparation company that specializes in fresh “take and bake” meals, hosts a holiday open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can sample appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts, and place an order for holiday entertaining. For information, visit www.entreevouskc.com or call 642-2500.

WAVES National Heart of America Unit 9 hosts a luncheon meeting at noon at The Atriums, 7300 W. 107th St., Overland Park. Women in the Kansas City area who are or have been members of the U.S. military are invited to attend. For more information, call (816) 452-1937.

A Country School Christmas is from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lanesfield School Historic Site, 18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton. Guests can enjoy Christmas 1904 in a program presented by Gardner fourth-graders, meet Old Saint Nick and make ornaments. Refreshments provided. The event is free for all ages. Snow date is Saturday, Dec. 12. For information, call 893-6645.

“A Viennese Christmas,” an evening of holiday and Viennese music performed by the New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra and Soloists, is at 3 and 8 p.m. in Yardley Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College. The Choraliers, a select group from the Johnson County Chorus, will sing carols in the lobby at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 469-4445 or visit www.jccc.edu/theseries.

Christmas Around Town kicks off with hand bell choir and dance performances at 4:30 p.m. in front of Shawnee City Hall, 11000 Johnson Drive. Santa Claus and Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers will present the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund check to local charities and light the tree at 5:30 p.m. Santa will ride a fire truck a few blocks west on Johnson Drive to Shawnee Town, where he and Mrs. Claus will visit with children from 6 to 8 p.m. Activities include magicians, jugglers, carriage and sleigh rides, Celtic music, and hand painting. The Optimists Club will sell hot chocolate and holiday treats at The Candy Cane café. Call 742-6226 for more information.

Merriam hosts holiday festivities at 5:30 p.m. at Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive, with a free candy cane hunt for children age 1 to 7. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight. Lighting of the Mayors’ Christmas Tree is at 6 p.m. Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Chamber Choir will perform, followed by a visit from Santa. The event also includes a fire and hot chocolate. For information, visit www.merriam.org.

Sunday, Dec. 6

The Great Santa Run starts at 9 a.m. at Johnson County Community College. Participants will receive long sleeve T-shirts, food and a Santa hat. Participants are asked to bring a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Go to www.sportkc.org to register.

The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park presents its annual Nutcracker Tea Party at noon and 4 p.m. at the Ritz Charles Overland Park, 9000 W. 137th St. For details, visit www.nutcrackerteaparty.org.

Monday, Dec. 7 

The Kansas City Metro Chapter III of the national Pearl Harbor Survivors Association will commemorate the 68th anniversary of the attack with a reception from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, 6200 Martway, Mission. A moment of silence will be observed at 11:55 a.m., the time the bombing began. The reception will include a brief history presentation, introduction of survivors and displays about the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor that led to United States involvement in World War II. The event is free and open to the public.

Young Professionals Learning @ Lunch is from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, 9001 W. 110th St. Bob Clark, University of Kansas Edwards Campus vice chancellor, will present the program, “Becoming a Leader.” To register by noon Dec. 3, visit www.opchamber.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 8

During “Rudolph’s Red Nose” from 10 to 10:50 a.m. at Tomahawk Recreation Complex, 17501 Midland Drive, Shawnee, children age 3 to 6 will make red noses and antlers, and learn a routine to perform for parents at the end of class. Tap and ballet shoes are required. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Overland Park Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 annual meting is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. As keynote speaker, Gov. Mark Parkinson will discuss the state’s budget forecast for 2010 and challenges the Legislature faces in balancing projections against the cost of state services. Recipients of the annual Overland Park Awards will be announced. Suze Parker, 2009 board chairman, will review accomplishments of the past year and Ed O’Connor, chairman-elect, will preview chamber initiatives for 2010. For reservations, go to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 491-3600.

Murder in the Afternoon reading group will discuss “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at 1 p.m. at I Love A Mystery Bookstore, 6114 Johnson Drive, Mission. The meeting is free and open to the public. For details, call 432-2583 or visit iloveamystery.com.

Men’s Night at clair de lune in Hawthorne Plaza, 5053 W. 119th St., Overland Park, is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The fifth annual event, which aims to help men shop for lingerie, includes beverages, appetizers and models to help men visualize their selections. The boutique specializes in exclusive international lingerie. For information, call 491-3232 or visit clairdelunekc.com.

University of Kansas Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park, presents a free holiday concert with pianist Sam Stryke and his jazz trio at 7 p.m. Guests are asked to bring an item for women served by Safehome domestic violence shelter. For information, call 897-8400 or visit www.edwardscampus.ku.edu.

JCCC Concert Band, directed by Ron Stinson, instrumental music professor, performs at 7:30 p.m. in Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center. The program is “Lyric Music” by Robert Starer; “The Voice Beneath the Waters,” Barry Kopetz; “Mosaic,” Stephen Paulas; “Clash,” Ryan Main; and “The Iliad,” Robert Smith. The concert is free and open to the public. For information, call 469-8500, ext. 3275.

Wednesday, Dec. 9

Commerce Bank presents “What’s Your Game Plan?” a free breakfast seminar at 7:30 a.m. at the Leawood branch, 11405 Nall Ave. Allison Darling, ManagementConcepts Inc., will help attendees get organized for a successful new year. To R.S.V.P., call (816) 234-2250 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Funky Mama performs interactive songs for toddlers and preschoolers at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Johnson County Museum of History, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee. For information, call 715-2550.

Cost-Saving Cooking workshop is from noon to 12:50 p.m. at Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe. Participants will learn menu-planning ideas to help with a tight budget. To register, call 715-7000 or visit www.johnson.ksu.edu.

Leawood Young Professionals After Hours Networking is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at CA Men’s Fine Grooming, 11544 Ash St., in Park Place. Admission is free. To register by 5 p.m. Dec. 4, call 498-1514 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Johnson County Community College Jazz Night features the JCCC Jazz Combo, Midnight Blues Jazz Choir and the Midnight Express Jazz Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. in Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center. Works include “Love Is the Tender Trap,” “Sweet Georgia Brown” and more. The concert is free and open to the public. For information, call 469-8500, ext. 3275.

Send calendar submissions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by noon Friday. Items must include an exact address and contact information.

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Write comment