Community calendar

St. Pat’s event planned March 16

The fifth annual O’Dotte’s March Down 5th Street is planned at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at 5th and Ann, Kansas City, Kan. The march ends at Breit’s Stein and Deli, 412 N. 5th St. After the short walk down 5th Street, the festival continues at Breit’s with Irish food and beverages. A $7 minimum donation is requested for food with proceeds going to the Bishop Ward High School football program. The food will be prepared by George Sooter and company.

Women’s History Month program planned

A Women’s History Month program will feature author Margaree King Mitchell, who will read her latest book, “When Grandmama Sings,” and talk about what it is like to be an author. The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. March 16 at the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Candidate forum scheduled March 19

A candidate forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. March 19 at the JFK Community Center, 1262 N. 10th St., Kansas City, Kan. Candidates for Unified Government 2nd District at large, and mayor-CEO have been invited. The forum is sponsored by Historic Northeast-Midtown Association.

Chamber forum to be March 20-21

A candidate forum is planned March 20 and 21 at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave. It is sponsored by the chambers, NBRs and independent business organizations.  From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 20, candidates for UG Commission and mayor-CEO have been invited to speak. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 21, candidates for BPU board, Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education and KCKCC Board of Trustees have been invited to speak.

Tax-Aide program offered March 21

The AARP Tax-Aide program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21 at Turner Community Library, 831 S. 55th, Kansas City, Kan. The program helps low- and middle-income taxpayers file their personal income tax returns. Taxpayers must bring their photo ID, last year’s return, and all documentation. For information, call 913-596-1404. Other Tax-Aide locations include the Providence-Ball YMCA, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and Kansas City, Kan., City Hall. To find other locations and dates for the Tax-Aide program, visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/.

Council of Clubs to meet March 21

The Kansas City, Kan., Council of Clubs will meet at noon March 21 at the Youngbloods’ residence, 1908 N. 62nd Place, Kansas City, Kan. The program presenters will be Murrel Bland and Bettse Folsom. Reservations are necessary to 913-788-2905 or 913-369-9478.

UG Commission scheduled to meet

The Unified Government Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th, Kansas City, Kan. An agenda is expected to be posted before the meeting at www.wycokck.org.

Forum offered on nutrition topics March 21

March is National Nutrition Month, and Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., in partnership with K-State Extension Services, will offer a Forum on Nutrition Topics, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21. Participants may bring questions, recipes, and concerns. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to register.

How to live on a budget

Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will present “Spending Wisely While Living on a Budget,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, March 25. The program is presented by Chiquita Miller of K-State Extension. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Does food affect your mood?

Explore which foods may help reduce stress and improve mood. The University of Kansas Hospital’s Keri Layton, clinical dietitian, will discuss how those foods work in a free Be Well program—“Does Food Affect Your Mood?”—from 1-2 p.m. March 26  at The University of Kansas Cancer Center – Kansas City – South, 1000 E. 101st Terrace, Kansas City, Mo. Registration is required. To make a reservation or obtain more information about this and other wellness programs offered by The University of Kansas Hospital, call 913-588-1227 or visit www.kumed.com/bewell.

Candidate night planned March 26

The Wyandotte County GOP will sponsor its second candidates’ night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Frontier steakhouse, 94th and State Avenue. Only the two mayor candidates on the ballot and 10 Unified Government commissioner candidates have been invited to speak, due to time constraints. If other candidates attend, they will be introduced and will be able to visit with people individually after the event.

Candidate event to be March 26

The Stony Point-Hunter’s Glen Neighborhood Association is planning a candidate night at 7 p.m. March 26 at Stony Point Baptist Church, 7938 Barnett, Kansas City, Kan. There is limited seating available. The event is open to all candidates on the ballot.

‘Optimizing Your Health’ program planned

Keeler Women’s Center will offer “Optimizing Your Health,” a six-week program for women and men dealing with chronic disease or an aging body. Learn about ways to reduce your pain; how to deal with fatigue, frustration and isolation; the benefits of exercise; how to exercise safely and increase your energy level; eating well and living well; handling stress; using medications effectively; solving problems and meeting personal goals; how to talk to your doctor about your health; and how to make choices about your treatment. The free program is presented in partnership with K-State Extension and will be offered from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, March 27-May 1, at 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Call 913-906-8990 to register.

Archived images on display at museum

“Past Recreations: Images from the Archives” are on exhibit through March 28 at the Wyandotte County Museum, 631 N. 126th, Bonner Springs. For more information on hours and details, visit www.wycomuseum.org.

Make an Easter fascinator

Try a fascinator instead of an Easter hat this year. A fascinator is a headpiece commonly made with feather, flowers or beads. They can be fancy and elegant or outrageous and funny. The craft class is at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota. This class for adults is open to teens who are accompanied by an adult. There is a $5 materials fee for supplies. Registration is required to 913-279-2066.

Women’s pay gap to be topic of discussion

The gap between women’s and men’s pay will be the topic of a discussion Thursday, March 28, at the lower level Jewell Center, Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Women’s History Month program is from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.  The panel discussion will explore why the gender pay gap continues to exist and how women can learn to negotiate for themselves.

Program to address upper GI cancers

The University of Kansas Hospital’s  Dr. Peter DiPasco will discuss upper GI cancers and acid reflux in a free Be Well program, from 3 to 4 p.m. March 29 at The University of Kansas Clinical Research Center in the Fairway Office Park, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, Kan. Registration is required. To make a reservation or obtain more information, call 913-588-1227 or visit www.kumed.com/bewell.

Community enrichment program offered

TEDxWyandotte, a community enrichment program, is planned from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Performing Arts Center, Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave.  The cost of the program is $15. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/TEDxWyandotte. Registration is through the www.kckcc.edu website under Workforce Development.

Fundraiser for Habitat project scheduled

A Hard Hats and High Heels fundraiser for the Heartland Habitat Women Build Project will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Studio 2131, at 2131 Washington St., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For reservations, email Vanessa Little at vanessa@heartlandhabitat.org or call 913-342-3047.

Networking meeting planned

The Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce plans a networking meeting at 5:30 p.m. April 11 at Liberty Bank, 1314 N. 5th St., Kansas City, Kan. The speaker will be Sidney King, regional president, Kansas-Missouri, Liberty Bank.

Ethnic Festival planned April 13

The 2013 Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival is planned from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 13 at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Field House, 7250 State Ave.  More than 60 booths and 15 different musical and cultural presentations and performances are planned. For more information, call 913-334-1100, Ext. 119. There is free admission and free parking.

Benefit tractor cruise planned May 4 at Ag Hall

A tractor cruise returns May 4 to the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 126th and State, in Bonner Springs. Participants will drive tractors on a 35-mile loop to raise funds for the Ag Hall. The event will start at the Ag Hall, continue to downtown Bonner Springs to join the Marble Day parade, then take a spin around Lakeside Speedway, with stops at Cabela’s, Nuts and Bolts Hardware and Wyandotte County Park. The benefit, sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Two Cylinder Club, will end with a barbecue dinner at the Ag Hall of Fame.  For more information about participating in the event, visit www.gkctcc.com or www.AgHallofFame.com.  For more information call 913-721-1075.

Class reunion planned

The Washington High School Class of 1973 is planning a 40th reunion July 19-21. The event includes a golf scramble July 19 at Sunflower Hills Golf Course, a meet and greet July 19 at the Great Wolf Lodge, a dinner and dance July 20 at Sporting Park, and family visits and tours at Washington High School on July 21. Online registration and payment will be available soon on the website, whs73.com.  The reunion group also has a Facebook page. The reunion committee is trying to reach as many classmates as possible, and would like to have a small number of digital photos  of class members.

Counseling offered

Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers individual and couples counseling to uninsured women. Call 913-906-8990 for information or to do an intake and schedule an appointment.