Olathe news briefs for the week of May 1

City Council
The Olathe City Council will meet Tuesday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall for a regular session. Regular sessions are broadcast live on OGN (Comcast channel 7, AT&T channel 99 and on the City’s website).

 

Farmers’ Markets open Saturday, May 6         

The Olathe Farmers’ Markets, located at Black Bob Park (14500 151^st St.) and Stagecoach Park (1205 E Kansas City Rd.) open for the 2017 season on Saturday, May 6. The markets open at 7:30 a.m. and run until sold out. Wednesday market returns on May 10. Learn more about the 2017 vendors online. Note: The Olathe Farmers’ Markets were originally scheduled to open on Saturday, April 29, but the openings were postponed due to weather.

 

Tower 2 Tower 5K on Saturday, May 6

Celebrate National Drinking Water Week by participating in the second annual Tower 2 Tower 5K on Saturday, May 6. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. A free kids run begins at 8:55 a.m.

The unique race route is a loop along Renner Blvd from WaterOne’s water tower to the City of Olathe’s north water tower. Parking is available at WaterOne (10747 Renner Blvd., Lenexa) and nearby businesses and is accessible from College Blvd. and Eicher Dr.

Register at Tower2Tower5K.org. Proceeds benefit Water for People, a non-profit organization that works to provide clean and safe drinking water for countries that need it most.

 

Movie in the Park features Cars on Friday, May 12

Join Olathe Parks & Rec on Friday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Stagecoach Park for Movie in the Park, featuring the Pixar favorite Cars. The movie will start at dark (around 8:30 p.m.). Free popcorn and drinks will be served throughout the evening while supplies last. Bring chairs or a blanket for an evening the whole family can enjoy.

Movies in the Park will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Follow Olathe Parks & Recreation on Facebook and Twitter for updates the night of the event.

 

Pitch, Hit and Run

Olathe Parks & Rec will host Pitch, Hit and Run on Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Oregon Trail Park (1100 S. Robinson Drive.). Pitch Hit & Run (PHR), the official skills competition of Major League Baseball, is a FREE, 1-day event for boys and girls ages 7-14. Participants compete in either the Baseball Division or Softball Division with the opportunity to advance through four levels of competition including Locals, Sectionals, Team Championships and the National Finals during MLB All-Star Week. Registration is not required.

 

Sunflower Wickets Mahaffie Croquet Tournament teams forming now

Teams are forming now for the eighth annual Mahaffie Sunflower Wickets Croquet Tournament, scheduled for Friday, June 2, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Olathe Community Center. This unique event is hosted by the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Foundation in support of the preservation, programming, and promotion of the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site. Prizes will be awarded to the top four teams.

Tables of eight are available and two-person teams are now forming. For more information about forming a team or tournament sponsorship opportunities, visit www.mahaffieMahaffie.org or contact Mahaffie at 913-971-5111 or mahaffie@olatheks.org.Special thanks to the Midwest Croquet Association for their assistance with the event.

 

Olathe Public Library Programming
Please visit the events calendar for an updated list of programs. Questions can be directed to 913-971-6874 for children’s programming or 913-971-6888 for adult and teen programming. The Olathe Indian Creek Library, 13511 S. Mur-Len Rd., Suite 129, and the Olathe Downtown Library, 201 E. Park St., are open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.

• Computer Help Lab on Tuesday, May 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Library, and on Thursday, May 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Indian Creek Library. Get help from staff members with Microsoft software (Word, Excel, etc.), internet browsers, email or eBooks. Registration is not required.
• Spring Has Sprung Preschool Crafts on Tuesday, May 2, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Indian Creek Library, and on Thursday, May 4, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Library. Bring your preschooler and make a fun spring craft! All materials will be provided. Registration is not required.
• Dungeons & Dragons Club on Tuesday, May 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Indian Creek Library for students in grades 6-12. Registration is not required.
• Tuesday Tunes on Tuesday, May 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Betse Ellis, a founding member of the Wilders, Betse & Clarke, and Brushy Creek, leads a jam session. Expect fiddles, guitars, folk, blues, and bluegrass. Bring your instrument and jam, share a song, or just listen. Registration is not required.
• No More Nuggets: Family-Friends Healthy Meal Ideas on Wednesday May 3, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Indian Creek Library, and Thursday, May 4, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Downtown Library. Enjoy interactive, kid-friendly cooking demonstrations and tastings. Registration is not required.
• Celebrate Children’s Book Week with Pete the Cat on Wednesday, May 3, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Indian Creek Library. The program about Pete the Cat will include stories and activities for kids of all ages. Tickets will be distributed 15 minutes before the program begins. Registration is not required.
• Teen Anime Club on Thursday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Teen Commons, 16160 W. 135th St. (near Feeney’s Hallmark). Teens in grades 6-12 can share manga drawings, watch anime, and learn about Japanese culture. Registration is not required.
• Book Munch After-Hours on Thursday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant, 1828 E. Santa Fe St. Adults meet to discuss current reading. Food and drink are available for purchase. Registration is not required.
• Preschool Dance Party on Friday, May 5, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Indian Creek Library. Parents must attend with their preschoolers. Tickets are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis starting 30 minutes before the program. Registration is not required.
• Celebrate Children’s Book Week with a Book Ball on Friday, May 5, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the Indian Creek Library. Come dressed as your favorite book character or wearing your library best for games, snacks and more. Tickets will be distributed 15 minutes before the program. Registration is not required.
• Free Comic Book Day at the Downtown Library on Saturday, May 6, beginning at 10 a.m. Comics provided by Elite Comics of Overland Park will be distributed to children and teens in grades K-12 while supplies last.
• R.E.A.D. to a Dog Program on Saturday, May 6, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Indian Creek Library. Children of all ages may read to a trained therapy dog provided by Pets for Life, Inc. Upon arrival, report to Children’s Services to sign up for a reading time. Times are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not required.
• Teen Afternoon Rush on Thursday, May 11, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Teen Commons, 16160 W. 135th St., near Feeney’s Hallmark. Students in grades 6-12 are invited. Registration is not required.
• Downtown and Indian Creek Libraries will be closed all day on Friday, May 12, for staff training. Normal operating hours will resume on Saturday, May 13.
• Book Munch for Breakfast Bunch on Saturday, May 13, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Sweet Tea’s Coffee Shop, 2063 E. Santa Fe St. Adults are invited to join this book group to discuss their current readings. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Registration is not required.
• Scan Your Historical Photos on Saturday, May 13, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Bring your photos, slides and negatives along with a flash drive. Participants will be able to correct fading, spots, and improve photograph color. Register on the events calendar or by calling 913-971-6888.