Community Calendar

Wednesday, May 14

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District 50 Plus Department’s final spring hike is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The hike departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, and ends at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St. The hikes are meant to give participants an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and make new friends while following trails through state parks and natural treasures. In case of rain, the walk will be rescheduled for the following week. Participants should bring a sack lunch. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

The Johnson County Museum of History, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee,  presents a free story time program for preschool-age children and their parents at 9 a.m. Visitors can listen to farm-themed stories and make a craft, as well as check out “Coming of Age in Johnson County: 1960-1976,” an exhibit exploring the national trends and local issues of the era. Visitors can dance the Hustle, play a game of Pong, blast off to outer space in the interactive rocket and more. Groups of 10 or more should make reservations. For information, call 715-2570 or visit www.jocomuseum.org.

The Machine Quilters Showcase will be held at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. There will be classes for all level quilters, educational seminars, vendors, Tiki Treasures Ice Cream social, and a Quilts of Valor presentation at 2:15 p.m. The event continues Thursday through Saturday. To register or for ticket information, visit www.imqa.org.

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers family kayak lessons for ages 10 and older at 6 p.m. at the Shawnee Mission Park boat ramp, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee. Participants can learn the basics of flat water kayaking through a combination of lecture and hands-on experience. Topics include safety, equipment and stroke techniques. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Thursday, May 15

The I Love A Mystery “Around the World with Mysteries” Reading Group will meet at 7 p.m. at I Love A Mystery Bookstore, 6114 Johnson Drive, Mission, to discuss “Murder on the Leviathan” by Boris Akunin. The meeting is free and open to the public. For details, call 432-2583 or visit iloveamystery.com.

Friday, May 16

Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners’ 2008 Public Garden Tour takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The six featured residential gardens are owned and maintained by extension master gardeners, and represent solutions to many gardening challenges commonly found in this growing region. Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and provide handouts, tips and ideas. Tour continues Saturday. Tickets available at all area Hen House locations. For details and a tour list, visit www.

johnson.ksu.edu.

The Johnson County Library will host author visits in conjunction with the Kansas City Literary Festival. Mystery author Dana Stabenow will visit Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park, at 2 p.m. Gail Giles, author of young adult novels “Shattering Glass,” “Right Behind You,” “What Happened to Cass McBride?” and “Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters,” will visit Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park, at 7 p.m. Both authors will have books available for purchase and signing at the programs.

Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site, 3403 W. 53rd St., Fairway, hosts an educational unit about the Santa Fe Trail from 1 to 3 p.m. For cost or more details, contact Alisha Cole at 262-0867 or shawneemission@kshs.org.

The Greater Kansas City Organ Club presents a free concert featuring Wanda Heatwole from 1 to 3 p.m. at Schmitt Music in Rosana Square, 7316 W. 119th St., Overland Park. Donations will be accepted and used to support the nonprofit Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and Kids Need Music Program.

Saturday, May 17

The 23rd annual Merriam Turkey Creek Festival starts at 7 a.m. with a pancake feed at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, in shelter house 1; food served until noon. The 5K “One Hill of a Run” fun run, walk and youth sprints start at 8 a.m. at the Merriam Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive. Activities in the park start at 10 a.m. and go until 5 p.m., including an arts and crafts sale featuring regional artisans displaying stained glass, baskets, pottery, photography, jewelry, woodworking, wearable art and garden art. Kansas City Kite Club will have a static kite display. The Kids Zone will offer a Home Depot craft workshop; train rides; pony rides; pedal boat rides; exotic petting zoo; moon walk; 23-foot double inflatable slide; obstacle course; roving magician; balloon artists; caricaturist; and U.S.A. Jr. Olympic skills competition in basketball, soccer, tennis and track. The Turkey Creek Festival Parade begins at 11 a.m. at 69th Street and Antioch Road, traveling north to Antioch Park. This year’s theme is “Merriam, A Community Growing Together.” The festival also includes musical performances from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 322-5550 or visit www.merriam.org/park.

Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball, 19800 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, hosts the Kansas City Sand Sculpting Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival, open to the public, includes four categories: friends and families; businesses; children; and art/architecture. Sand Sculpting 101 classes will be offered for entrants and observers, as well as a dinosaur dig and other children’s activities, and live entertainment. The event will benefit Sunflower House, a child abuse prevention center serving Johnson and Wyandotte counties. The festival continues Sunday, May 18. For information or to register, call 631-1393 or visit www.smbv.com.

The Johnson County Museum, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee, will host Family Fun Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors can make 1950s-themed crafts and take a guided tour of the 1950s All-Electric House. Visitors also can view the museum’s latest exhibit “Coming of Age in Johnson County: 1960-1976,” which explores the political, economic and social issues facing Johnson County residents during this era. Visitors can dance the Hustle, play a game of Pong, blast off to outer space in the interactive rocket and more. Groups of 10 or more should make reservations. For information, call 715-2570 or visit www.jocomuseum.org.

The Overland Park Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will present “Over There: Songs of World War I” at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Bishop Miege High School auditorium, 5041 Reinhardt Drive, Roeland Park. In addition to the Overland Stage Chorus and chapter quartets will be an appearance by “Zing!” a Sweet Adeline quartet.

Sunday, May 18

The BikeSource Duathlon and Triathlon begins at 7:30 a.m. at Heritage Park, 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe. The triathlon consists of a one-third mile swim, 11.5-mile bike and three-mile run, and is open to individuals age 15 and older. Team categories include men, women, co-ed, family and corporate. Two- and three-person teams will be accepted. The duathlon consists of a two-mile run, 11.5-mile bike and three-mile run. The duathlon is open to individuals only. To enter, call 831-3359 or visit www.sportkc.org.

Jazz singer and Kansas City native Angela Hagenbach will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 63rd Street and Roe Avenue, Prairie Village. Admission and parking are free. For details call 432-3505 or visit www.southminster pres.org.

Author Robert A. Anderson will discuss his book “Paddy” at 3 p.m. at Claridge Court, 8101 Mission Road, Prairie Village. “Paddy” is the story of Col. Harry A. “Paddy” Flint of the 39th Infantry, a man who met his personal goals regardless of the many adversities he had to overcome during World War II. Anderson, who also wrote “Low Level Hell; a Scout Pilot in the Big Red One,” will discuss the life of Paddy. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For information, call 967-8650.

Monday, May 19

The 2008 Village Golf Classic and Silent Auction & Tee Party, sponsored by Village Presbyterian Church, takes place at Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village. The auction begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. During the final bidding, the Tee Party will be served with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Both golfers and non-golfers can compete in the final rounds of bids. The Dominican Republic Medical Mission will benefit from all proceeds. The purpose of the mission is to share medical resources and skills in a way that assists and supports people in the city of La Romana. Twelve years ago, the church began sponsoring medical teams providing primary health care to Haitian cane cutters in villages surrounding La Romana. For more information, call Leslie Long at 671-2321 or visit www.villagepres.org.

Tuesday, May 20

Teresa Martin, life coach, counselor and metaphysics teacher, will speak at 7 p.m. at Cedar Roe Library, 5120 Cedar, Roeland Park. “Making Peace With Pain” will address the following key points: What happens when we deny the pain through avoiding the experience or through medicating?; What are neurotransmitters and how are they affected when emotional situations take over our thinking?; and what can be done in our thinking to move through the pain and experience forgiveness, gratitude and appreciation? For details, call 236-9292.

Wednesday, May 21

MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council’s 12th Annual Business Opportunity Fair takes place from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. With more than 100 exhibitors, the event features sourcing and networking opportunities with local and national corporate and council representatives. Keynote speaker is Soledad O’Brien, anchor and correspondent for CNN Special Investigations. For ticket information, contact Maggie Riley at (816) 221-4200 ext. 102 or

maggie.riley@mambdc.org.

Johnson County Museum of History, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee, offers Pop ’n’ Play, an indoor playtime event for children 9 months to 3 years, from 9 to 11 a.m. Playtime allows them to explore and improve fine motor skills through painting, drawing and music stations. Preschoolers can play dress-up and toddlers can explore while climbing in the colorful, soft play area. Parents should attend with their children and older siblings are welcome. Admission is $1 per child. Groups of 10 or more should make reservations. For details, call 631-6709 or visit www.jocomuseum.org.

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers family kayak lessons for ages 10 and older at 6 p.m. at the Shawnee Mission Park boat ramp, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee. Participants can learn the basics of flat water kayaking through a combination of lecture and hands-on experience. Topics include safety, equipment and stroke techniques. To register, call 831-3359 or visit www.jcprd.com.

Calendar submissions

The Sun is looking for events to publish in our Community Calendar every Wednesday. Send items about children’s activities, meetings, lectures, festivals, community service projects and fundraisers to jmarshall@sunpublications.com.