News from District VI

Message from Your Council Member....

Greetings District 6 Friends -

Welcome to the next edition of the weekly newsletter! We hope you find items of interest in the articles and at the links provided. Please let us know if you have ideas, information, or events you would like to see featured in a future edition. We always welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Have a great weekend!

Janet

Janet L. Miller

District 6

City Council

316-268-4331

District 6

DAB Meeting		District 6 Coffee
Date : November 7, 2016/Cancelled Location : Evergreen Park & Recreation Time: 6:30 p.m. DAB VI agendas and minutes District VI Map		Date: January 28 , 2017 Location : Downtown YMCA in the Community Room Time: 9 a.m.

DAB 6 is cancelled for November 7, 2016.

The next meeting will be November 16th.

There will be a presentation on the Proposed STAR Bond Project.

District Community Events & News

THE FOLLOWING CITY SERVICES WILL BE CLOSED IN HONOR OF

VETERANS DAY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th

City Hall, 455 N Main

All City of Wichita Neighborhood Resource Centers (Districts 1,3, and 6)

District 6 is covered by two WPD substations that are accessible Monday thru Friday, 8am - 5pm.

Patrol North is located at 3015 E. 21st St. N., and their phone number is

350-3400. Patrol West is located at 661 N Elder, and their phone number is

350-3460.

You are free to walk in during those hours to record an incident report (minor traffic accidents, vandalism, larceny from your vehicle, stolen property, etc.) Of course if it is a more serious offense that requires an officer on site, please call 911 as they are able to dispatch officers to the scene.

Free Rides for Voters

With Election Day less than one week away, City of Wichita officials are reminding residents about free Wichita Transit service next Tuesday to encourage residents to vote.

On Nov. 8, Wichita Transit buses will offer free bus rides to residents who demonstrate they have voted by wearing an "I Voted" sticker. To take advantage of the one-day offer, riders must wear their "I voted" sticker. The free service is an incentive to go vote.

Wichita Transit operates regular route bus service from 5:30 a.m. - 7:45 p.m., Monday through Friday across 17 routes throughout the city. Transit routes operate within several blocks of most polling places Please call (316) 265-7221 or visit www.wichitatransit.org for bus route and scheduled information.

The Wichita Police Department Has You Covered!

There is an alert to those who live in the vicinity east of Amidon to Broadway and 21st to 25th Street.

On Monday, October 31st, two homes located on the block of 2200 N. Jeanette and 2300 N. Salina were burglarized. During the month of October, there has been 14 burglaries in this area.

A suspect is entering through the back yard and breaking a window or back door during the daytime hours. This suspect has been identified as walking or on a bicycle.

Keep an extra eye open for your neighbors who may be gone during the daytime hours. If you are a victim or see someone or anything suspicious, call 911.

The program encourages citizens to call Crime Stoppers if they have information about a felony crime, and wish to remain anonymous. This means that they have not directly contacted law enforcement. Crime Stoppers always encourages cooperation with law enforcement, but in those cases where citizens do not want to call police, they are encouraged to provide the information they have anonymously through Crime Stoppers by one of the following ways:

Call (316) 267-2111 or 1-800-222-TIPS

Text TIP217 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637) or

Report a tip online at www.wichitasedgwickcountycrimestoppers.com

If you would like more information on the program or you are interested in volunteering you may call the Wichita Crime Commission at 267-1235.

Inter-Faith Ministries' Operation Holiday collaborates with the US Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots and Catholic Charities.

They assist low-income and disabled residents of Sedgwick County by providing gift cards for fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, non-perishable food and coats during the winter holiday. US Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots provides toys for children ages 14 and under.

Applications will be taken from Monday, November 7th through Wednesday, November 22nd at various times and locations. All neighborhood city halls will be closed November 11, 2016.

Applicants must:

Live in Sedgwick County
Be age 18 or older
Be a member of the applying family
Have not applied for another holiday program

Applicants must bring:

Proof of identification (photo ID)
Proof of address (example: bill or letter), current within 30 days
Social security cards or legal identification for every member in household
First and last names for all family members
Birth date for all family members
Proof of income for all members of household for 2 months
Telephone or message number
Be prepared to choose a date and time of distribution

Orchard Breeze Neighborhood Association (BOUNDARIES: Serving the areas between Central and Maple and West and Big Ditch)

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR Saturday Nov. 5

9 A.M. Thru 3 PM

Come on over to the Kiwanis Building, 5101 W. 2^nd

^Vendors: ^{Knit/Crochet Items; Metal Work; Jewelry; Hidden Gems and more...}

^{Door Prizes include:}

^{Premier Living Jewelry; Mary Kay; Thunder Hockey; Sedgwick County Zoo}

^{If you would like table space, contact:}

^{Liz Hicks at; 942-5374}

^{Email: lizhicks34@gmail.com}

Wichita's CRAFTAPALOOZA VINTAGE MARKET is a one day shopping extravaganza featuring an eclectic blend of handcrafted items, artisan designs, bling & glam boutiques, antique & vintage bliss, sparkly jewels, home décor & inspiration, repurposed & funky junk along with FABuLOUS FINDS for your creative soul! Wichita's favorite shopping extravaganza!
{ Admission $5.00 under 12 free}

Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center

Saturday Nov 5^th 10am-4pm

Project Access and its community partners serve patients in many locations. Eligible uninsured patients are enrolled for limited periods of time to address immediate medical needs. Once enrolled, patients have access to a variety of specialists, as well as prescription medication, durable medical equipment and diabetic supplies.

Eligible patients can be referred by participating physicians throughout Sedgwick County.

Additional key partners are community clinics and the Department for Children and Families (DCF). Patients who receive primary care at certain community clinics may be referred to Project Access and enrolled by an onsite DCF eligibility specialist.

Eligible patients are referred to Project Access by providers at the following sites:

EC Tyree Health and Dental Clinic www.tyreeclinic.com
GraceMed www.gracemed.org
Guadalupe www.guadalupeclinic.com
HealthCore Clinic www.healthcoreclinic.org
Hunter Health Clinic www.hunterhealthclinic.org

For more information call

3 16-688-0600

28th Annual Choices Fair

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Century II, Exhibition Hall

225 W. Douglas
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
The District's Choices Fair allows parents and students to do "one-stop school shopping" to look at the different educational options the district offers. All of the district's magnet schools, alternative schools, neighborhood schools, special programs and various support departments will be in attendance at this event to assist parents with information and questions about our district. Click here to learn how to apply.

Mid-America All-Indian Center

Join us on the third Thursday in November for our annual Share Our Food event

Time : 6 - 9pm (doors open at 5:30pm)

Admission: FREE museum admission

Tickets: Tickets go on sale for $30 on Oct. 21; $35 on Oct. 28; $50 at door (if available). Groups of 10 may reserve a table with a single payment for all 10 tickets, if seating permits.

This foodie-centric evening features authentic American Indian recipes. The evening will engage the senses as guests hear about the history of American Indian food, smell the delicious aroma in the air and taste the finished dishes for themselves. "Share Our Food" highlights the fact that ingredients in American Indian recipes have stories of their own to tell, giving insight into the American Indian way of life throughout the generations by using modern versions of traditional recipes from across the country.

"Share Our Food" is an important event for the Indian Center that looks at American Indian culture in a different way. While the staples of American Indian food generally are corn, beans and squash, the daily diet of American Indians was dictated by location and whether their temporary or permanent environment was best suited for hunting, gathering, and agriculture or a combination of all three.

All proceeds benefit our educational outreach program.

2017 Water & Sewer Rate Changes

The City Council is considering a proposal to increase water and sewer rates next year. The proposed water rate increase of 4% and sewer rate increase of 5% are lower than the 2016 increases, which were 5.6% and 5.1% respectively. The combined increase would be 4.4%, compared to 5.4% last year. This approach is in line with the City Council's priority to reduce rate increases when possible, phase them over many years, and more fairly balance between residential, commercial and industrial customers. This allows the City to invest in its water and sewer infrastructure in a way that is mindful of the impact to ratepayers.

Wichita continues to compare favorably to other municipal utilities. Black & Veatch's 2016 50 Largest Cities Rate Survey ranked Wichita as the 10^th lowest cost provider of mid-range residential water and sewer service. Wichita's proposed 2017 rate increases are below the national averages of 5.9% for water and 5.8% for sewer, according to the survey.

The vote is scheduled for early December. If approved, the new rates will become effective January 1, 2017.

Where Does the Money Go?

Water and sewer revenue is money that comes straight from ratepayers to fund the system that provides clean drinking water and the system that collects and treats wastewater. Planned infrastructure improvements over the next 10 years account for 74% of the increased revenue needs. Some of these improvements are necessary for regulatory compliance, like projects that focus on treatment plant processes, as well as projects focused on replacing old water and sewer pipes.

This year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Don't Wait - Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years" represents the final year of a three-year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety.

Why focus on smoke alarms three years in a row? Because the National Fire Protection Association's survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire. For example, only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. As a result of these findings, we're addressing smoke alarm replacement this year with a focus on these key messages:

Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
Make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home.
To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.

If you own your property and do not have a smoke alarm, or cannot afford one, please call the Fire Prevention Office, Monday thru Friday, 8-5, to schedule a time to have a firefighter come to your home and install one for free. Their number is 316-268-4441. (This program is not for commercial or rental properties)

Winter Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, November 2016 through February 2017: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grab your coats, throw on your mittens and head over to the Sedgwick County Zoo for Winter Wednesdays! Spend the day in the refreshing outdoors for $3.00 per person every Wednesday, November through February.

Write a Novel during National Novel Month

November is National Novel Writing Month! The NaNoWriMo challenge, should you choose to accept it: write 50,000 words between 12:01 a.m. on November 1st and 11:59 p.m. on November 30th. The 50,000 words don't have to be pretty - the point is just to get them written! Join other writers in the community for this writing session and become one of the hundreds of thousands of writers around the world who complete their novel this November.

Every Tuesday in November

6:00 - 7:00pm

Westlink Branch Library

8515 Bekemeyer

Big Read Wichita: Free Author Event!

Enjoy a special Big Read evening event with Ray Bradbury's official biographer, Sam Weller. Mr. Weller spent many hours over the years conversing with Ray Bradbury and recording the Fahrenheit 451 author's thoughts on a wide variety of topics. A creative writing professor at Columbia College Chicago, Mr. Weller teaches the only college class in the U.S. that focuses on the works of Ray Bradbury. The event will include be a Q&A with the author. The Bradbury Chronicles will be available for sale at the event, and a book-signing will follow the presentation.

The 2016 Wichita Turkey Trot will be on Saturday, November 19th at the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center

2 Mile & 10 Mile

Saturday, November 19, 2016

THE FIRST 2,000 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL RECEIVE A COUPON FOR A FREE HONEYSUCKLE WHITE TURKEY

Packet Pickup will be in the Exhibition Hall on

Friday, Nov. 18th from 11am-8pm and

Saturday, Nov. 19th from 6am-7am

Race Schedule:
10 Mile Start - 7:45am
2 Mile Start - 8:00am
Kid's Trot Start - 10:00am

2 Mile & 10 Mile participants have the option of a COTTON shirt, included in entry fees, or a TECH MATERIAL shirt for $5 extra

Kid's Trot participants will get a cotton shirt that they may decorate at packet pickup or on race morning

NEW THIS YEAR:

Kid's Trot 250ft Dash for children ages 6 and under

Go to the website www.petharbor.com.
Enter your Zip Code or City name in the appropriate field and click the "Find Shelters" search button.
Check the box next to "Wichita Animal Shelter" and click the "Search Now" button.
Click the "I Lost My Pet" button.
Click the button for the type of animal that you have lost (Dog, Cat, or Other).
You may choose to narrow your search by breed, gender, size, age, and predominate color at this time but please keep in mind the more narrow your search, the less results you will receive. If you do not specify any criteria in the search fields, and just click the "Search Now" button you will be able to browse all of the entries from the Shelter. It is a much broader search, but improves your chances of finding your lost pet. Please remember that your description of the animal may be different than the description posted on the website. We advise that you keep your search as broad as possible. If you have lost a pet we still advise that you visit the Wichita Animal Shelter regularly.
Most of the animals will have a picture accompanied with the date the animal was impounded to assist in proper identification and a timely return to the owner. If the animal listing does not have a picture and you suspect that the animal may be yours, visit the Wichita Animal Shelter at 3303 N. Hillside.
If you find your animal on the website, call the Wichita Animal Shelter at 350-3366 and notify staff. They will need the animal number displayed to the right of the picture.

If you do not see your lost animal using this service, we recommend you visit the Wichita Animal Shelter at 3303 N. Hillside (K-96 & Hillside) during business hours to make sure the animal wasn't picked up. Lost and stray animals are only held for 3 days starting the day after the animal is impounded. You may call the Wichita Animal Shelter at 350-3366 for more information and tips on finding a lost pet, but remember that only you can identify your lost pet, so please visit the shelter at least every 3 days.

Using the Pet Harbor Mobile App

Now you can browse adoptable, lost, and found pets in your area from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet! PetHarbor Mobile uses your geographic location to locate animals near you.
You will receive the same results and have the same search functionality that you would using the web version of PetHarbor but optimized for mobile devices!

Be bright at night!

Attention walkers, runners and bicyclists! As darkness creeps earlier into afternoons and later into mornings, outdoorsy folks must stay bright: use bright or reflective jackets, caps, shoes or stripes.

Dark outer gear makes active folks invisible even in twilight. Neon clothes illuminate us to other walkers, runners, bicyclists-and to cars.

Hardware and automotive stores have inexpensive reflective tape. Affix the tape to the front and back of shoes, coats or caps. Check out a bike shop for reflective shoes, crossing-guard vests, strap-on headlights or-the safest of all-lights in blinking red or green or yellow.

Keep on moving throughout this fall and winter. Keep visible, safe AND, you know, healthy.


Autumn is beautiful

PUT FALL LEAVES TO WORK!

Leaves are packed with trace minerals that trees draw up from deep in the soil. When added to your garden, leaves feed earthworms and beneficial microbes. They lighten heavy soils and help sandy soils retain moisture. They make an attractive mulch in the flower garden. They're a fabulous source of carbon to balance the nitrogen in your compost pile. And they insulate tender plants from cold.

First, shred up as many of them as you can by using this procedure. Make piles on the lawn and then drive over them a few times with the lawn mower. Shredding into several pieces does several good things. It increases the surface area, giving microbes many more places to work. It prevents the leaves from packing together into layers that won't let water or air penetrate, and it reduces the volume dramatically.

Once the leaves are shredded, rake them up into plastic trash bags that get stashed in your garage or shed for next spring when you can use them as mulch in your gardens. Your vegetables and flowers will love you for it!

Warning: Walnut, eucalyptus and camphor laurel leaves should be disposed of in a compost or thrown away due to a substance in these leaves that can inhibit plant growth

NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCE REPORTING MADE EASIER

Residents are encouraged to report neighborhood nuisance problems via phone or email.

T o submit a report, please call the main number -

660-9220.

A voicemail can be left if the call is made after business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, an email may be sent to KeepWichitaClean@wichita.gov O r residents may contact the

Dial Wichita! Call Center at 942-4482 to reach any department!

New Online City Garage Sale

Permitting System

The City of Wichita has launched a new online garage sale permitting system designed to make it easier to do business with local government. Just visit www.wichita.gov , look for the garage sale sign icon in the middle of the page, and click. Set up an account by entering an email address and create a private password. Apply for a permit or search the City's garage sale permit "ads" and locations.

City government issues more than 5,000 garage sale permits a year. The new system will allow users to add information about each sale, including what merchandise is offered at the sale (e.g. tools, books, clothing, furniture, etc.). Users can create a "classified" ad about their sale to be carried on the City's website. The information will be available for free to anyone with Internet access. A Google map will pinpoint the location of each garage sale and a report can be printed listing each sale. The information for a sale may even include up to five photograph images that can be uploaded with the ad.

There is no additional cost to advertise on the website. The $2.50-a-day cost of the permit includes the inclusion of each garage sale's advertisement on the website. Users searching for garage sales pay nothing.

The new online system comes at a good time. Dillon's grocery stores discontinued selling garage sale permits from customer service counters on Jan.1. Since then, residents have had two options: go to the Express Office Business Licensing window on the 1^st floor of City Hall or purchase a permit at The Wichita Eagle. The new system is more convenient

LOOK FOR THIS DECAL WHEN HIRING A

COMPANY TO HAUL YOUR JUNK/BULKY WASTE

Don't become the victim of an illegal trash or junk hauler. Unfortunately there have been several complaints about paying an individual to haul off large items or junk from houses and garages, and the items end up in a ditch, behind a company, or a country road. If there is anything that identifies you, the owner of these items, you will receive a severe ticket and fine from a City or County inspector. If you respond to an ad of someone that will haul your junk, make sure they are licensed to do so. They will have this decal on their trailer or truck! Don't let a mistake cost you double.

here

ICT S.O.S. is needing your help with supplies for victims of human trafficking

In early 2014, a Wichita Police officer and a DCF (Department of Children and Families) worker who were providing services to a minor victim of human trafficking stopped by our office to pick up a few supplies for the young girl they were helping. The officer made a comment, "It would be so nice if we had this stuff bagged up and ready to go when we need it." And Fresh Start Bags were born!

Each bag is tailored for a specific gender and size and is labeled so that officers, advocates and social workers can easily grab what they need when they need it without having to scramble to piece together what a victim may need. The contents were decided based on input from police officers, child and sexual abuse victim advocates and social workers.

Every Fresh Start Bag has new clothing, hygiene items, a comfort item and a fast food gift card. For younger children that usually means a blanket and age-appropriate toy, for teens and young adults each bag is packed with a journal and pen. For a complete list of needs, click here!

ICT S,O.S. has moved to 1211 S Emporia, and items can be dropped off at their location Monday thru Friday, 8 - 5. But if these hours are not good for you, just sent an email to Jennifer at info@ictsos.org and she will make arrangements for other times. It's a wonderful organization that helps hundreds of at-risk children, teens and young adults every year!

HOW TO BUILD A SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD

Nextdoor.com is the free private social network for you, your neighbors and your community. It's the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online and make all of your lives better in the real world. And it's free!

Thousands of neighborhoods are already using Nextdoor to build happier, safer places to call home.

And it's only for you and your neighbors!!

People are using Nextdoor to:

Quickly get the word out about a break-in
Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
Track down a trustworthy babysitter
Find out who does the best paint job in town
Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
Find a new home for an outgrown bike
Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name

Nextdoor's mission is to use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods. Click here for more information.

ICTrees is planning their fall plantings which will occur from mid September through the week before Thanksgiving this year.

Last year they planted over 750 trees and engaged more than 400 community volunteers who committed over 1,000 hours of there time to accomplish this.

This year they would like to plant 1,000 trees. They are looking for suitable planting locations. If you know of an organization in your district such as a church, homeowners association, civic club, etc. that would benefit from trees planted on their property; please encourage them to contact ICTrees. Email trees@ictrees.org or call 316-302-6633 for more information.

Home Improvement program has funding available for income qualified homeow ners

The Housing and Community Services Department's Home Improvement Program now has funding available for interest-free, forgivable deferred payment loans of up to $5,000 for income-qualified (60% of median) owner-occupant homeowners. Loans are provided for emergency needs, such as furnaces, water heaters, sewer lines, water lines, electrical system repairs and plumbing repairs. Loans are also provided for minor home repair needs for senior citizens, age 62 and older.

Property taxes must be current

Call 462-3713 for more information or to apply.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

River Vista Development: Project includes construction of apartments and commercial retail on the west bank of the Arkansas River between Douglas and 1st Street.

Traffic Impact: The path along the west bank of the Arkansas River is closed between 1st Street and Douglas. The sidewalk on the south side of First Street is closed between McLean and Waco. Pedestrians will be detoured south to Douglas.

Contractor: Key Construction City Contact: Paul Gunzelman (268-4393 / pgunzelman@wichita.gov)

Estimated completion: Fall 2016

 Mosley & Rock Island Paving: This project will upgrade the area to current Old Town standards which will include brick streets and sidewalks, streetlights, trash receptacles, and landscaping planters. The project will also construct storm water improvements and include water main replacement.

Traffic Impact . Mosley is closed to through traffic between 2 nd & 3 rd St. 3 rd St. is reduced to one lane westbound at Mosley.

Contractor: Pearson Construction City Contact: James Wagner (268-4047 / jwagner@wichita.gov)

Estimated completion: Late 2016

Read more...