Olathe news briefs for the week of Feb. 15

The annual DirectionFinder^® citizen satisfaction survey will be presented to the Olathe City Council by Chris Tatham, ETC Institute.

 

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund exceeds campaign goal
The Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund campaign has raised $160,262, exceeding its $150,000 goal for 2015.

“Our dedicated Board and generous donors continue to take the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund to levels we never thought possible just a few years ago,” said Mayor Michael Copeland.  “I’m especially proud of the amazing success of our 2015 Pennies for Shoes campaign and the spirit of giving that is so prevalent in our schools.  The actions of Olathe students represent the most meaningful gifts we celebrate as a community – compassion, generosity, and the joy of giving back.”

Olathe Public Schools students raised a record $30,137 in loose change through their Pennies for Shoes campaign. This represents a 37percent increase over 2014 student giving and accounts for almost 19 percent of the campaign total. 

Since its inception in 2007, the campaign has raised $882,791 for local charities with no administrative costs. One-hundred percent of all donations go directly to the charities supported by the fund.

The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund supported 18 local charities in 2015.   To donate and learn more about the fund and the charities it supports, visit Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund. 

 

City of Olathe tops in Healthiest Employer category for second year

The City of Olathe has been recognized as a winner of the 2016 Healthiest Employers for the second year in a row. The awards program is presented by the Kansas City Business Journal.

Select employers from Kansas City were named winners at the awards program, on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Winning organizations were honored for their commitment to employee health, with exceptional corporate wellness programming.

The City of Olathe won in the 250-999 employees category.  Other Kansas City employers recognized included Cerner Corp. (3,500+ employees), JE Dunn Construction (1,000-3,499 employees), and Pro Athlete, Inc. (249 employees).

 

Community input on future of libraries sought through Library Vision Forums and survey
The community is invited to attend one of two upcoming Library Vision Forums to discuss the vision and opportunities for expanding the Olathe Downtown Library and the Indian Creek Library. The forum dates include an open house and a community meeting.

• Wednesday, Feb. 24, Indian Creek Library, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd. Open house from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; community meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 25, Downtown Olathe Library, 201 E. Park St. Open House from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; community meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Additional community input opportunities will take place in March. An online survey is available to those unable to attend a forum. Visit OlatheLibrary.org or call 971-6877 for more information.

 

2016 Summer Camp registration now open
Registration is now open for Two Trails and Black Bob Summer Camps offered through Olathe Parks & Recreation. Campers ages 5*-12 will swim, enjoy weekly field trips, play games, and more.   *Five-year-olds must have completed kindergarten.

• Register for camp by the week. You choose the week(s) that fit your needs.
• Registration includes a 50 percent fee to reserve your spot.  The remaining fee is due two weeks before camp starts.
• Register early; space is limited to 60 campers each week, per location.

Olathe Parks & Recreation Spring Break activities

Spring Break is right around the corner. Olathe Parks & Recreation has a variety of full-day and specialty camps available to help keep your kids active. Spring Break options are available for registration online.

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm to host fun February events

• Pancakes with the Presidents on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Heritage Center. Enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast,crafts, and a visit with Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Cost is $8/person ages three and up, and includes all Winter on the Farm activities. Registration and payment is required by Friday, Feb. 20, at Mahaffie.org or by calling 913-971-5111.
• Winter on the Farm on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm grounds, 1200 Kansas City Rd. In addition to stagecoach rides, weather and ground conditions permitting, visitors can discover and help with winter farm chores including:
  • Sausage making
  • Cookstove demonstrations
  • Maple syrup demonstrations
  • Blacksmithing

 

Featured events at the Olathe Public Library

Enjoy these upcoming events at the Olathe Public Library:

• Book Munch for Lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sunflower Café in the lower level of the Johnson County Admin. Building, 111 S. Cherry St. Drop in for an informal group devoted to discussing a variety of book-related topics. Bring a lunch or purchase one from the café. Registration is not required.
• Making Your Doctor’s Appointments More Effective on Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Olathe Indian Creek Library, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd.  This program is designed to empower seniors to handle their own health concerns during their doctors’ appointments. A free book, What to Do for Senior Health, along with forms to prepare for doctor visits and information about community resources will be available. Co-sponsored with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.  Register at OlatheLibrary.org or call 913-971-6888.
• Homeschool Program: Art Bots on Wednesday, Feb.17, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Olathe Downtown Library, 201 E. Park St.  Homeschoolers ages 6 – 11 can make a simple robot that wobbles around, creating fun designs with markers. Register on the library events page or call 913-971-6874.
• Book Munch After Hours on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Perkins, 1828 E. Santa Fe St. This group is devoted to discussing a variety of book-related topics, including current reading. You are welcome to purchase food and drinks. Registration is not required.
• Family History Friday on Friday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Olathe Downtown Library, 201 E. Park St. Search for your ancestors with the help of reference books, Kansas Room materials, and  library databases including Ancestry.com. Librarians and volunteers will be available to help. Registration is not required.
• Kids Code with Scratch on Monday, Feb. 22, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Olathe Downtown Library, 201 E. Park St.  Make something from Scratch, a computer programming language designed for kids.  Children in grades 3-5 will work together to create various projects such as simple animations. Register on the library events calendar or call 913-971-6874. 
• Hoarding: The Impact of Compulsive Keepers on Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Olathe Indian Creek Library, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd.  Explore coaching techniques and resources available to help people who hoard. Presented by Valeria Edwards, K-State Extension Agent.  Register on the library events page or call 913-971-6888.
• Baby Book Explorers on Friday, Feb. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Olathe Downtown Library, 201 E. Park St.  Bring your baby (newborn to 24 months) to read and play the “6 by 6” way.  A board book will be shared with the whole group, after which there will be time to explore your own take-home copy of the book together.  Each session will culminate with play as you and your baby engage in various activities including sensory manipulatives.  Older siblings are welcome to attend. Register on the library events page or call 913-971-6874.
• Junior Makers on Wednesday, March 2, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Olathe Indian Creek Library, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd. Kids in grades 1-5 can create this month’s theme, “buildings”.  Register on the library events calendar or call 913-971-6874.