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City of Wichita District V Newsletter |
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A Message from Council Member
Bryan Frye...
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As you read through this edition of the newsletter, you'll notice that it's full of information about activities and events happening in our community. Whoever said there's nothing to do in Wichita clearly isn't paying attention. Just in April alone, there's pretty much something for everyone. So, get out, get involved and have fun.
Speaking of fun, please join me and dozens of other Wichita leaders on April 8th at the "
100 Men Who Cook" event to benefit The Pando Initialize. Come ready to taste a variety of dishes ranging from appetizers, to main dishes, to desserts. I'm cooking up grilled salmon so be sure to stop by the Camp Frye booth for a sample taste!
Tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 303-8100 or online at
www.wichitatix.com. All proceeds from this event benefit The Pando Initiative to help them to further their mission of keeping students engaged in education and their future.
Finally, with all the rain we've had recently, it makes me appreciate the Wichita Valley Center Floodway more than ever. The "Big Ditch" was completed in 1959 at a cost of about $20 million. Without the vision and foresight by local leaders decades ago, Wichita would have been repeatedly ravaged by floodwaters. Over the years, this engineering marvel has saved the Wichita area hundreds of millions of dollars while protecting property and assets. We should all be grateful for the "Big Ditch".
Have a great weekend!
Bryan Frye
District V City Council Member
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Getting to Know City Staff:
Community Police Officer
Lori Hahn
Officer Hahn was hired in March 2002 into the recruit academy. She graduated in August 2002 and was assigned to
Patrol East on 399 beat. She worked on 399 beat as a patrol officer until 2005 when she transferred to
Patrol West as the 19 beat community police officer.
As a community police officer, she attends neighborhood meetings, community events, starts neighborhood watch, and she addresses neighborhood complaints that aren't criminal but they need addressed, such as neighbor disputes. Officer Hahn is a member of the TRIAD group which is a group of social workers, bankers, home health care agents, and mental health workers that help provide services to the Elderly Community who have reported abuse, both physically and/or financially. Officer Hahn also helps educate new refugees from Congo and Eritrea who come into the United States with our laws and answers questions they have.
In addition to her duties as the Community Police Officer for 19 beat, Officer Hahn implemented and runs the Patrol West Facebook page and alerts the community with specific crime trends in their neighborhoods, fun photos of officer's daily lives and community events.
Officer Hahn graduated from Wichita State University in 1998 with a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design. She uses her creativity to design logos, brochures, notecards and fliers for the Wichita Police Department. Most notably, she created the logos for the Wichita Lodge FOP and Support Local Law Enforcement.
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16th Annual Tree Festival
Saturday, April 1, 2017
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sedgwick County
Extension Center
The purpose of the event is to provide information and education about selection, planting, and maintaining of trees in our area.
Tree care professionals will be on hand to share their advice and answer your tree/gardening questions.
Admission is FREE
Crafts for Children. A pancake and sausage breakfast will be available for $5 per person.
Tree Festival Schedule:
(Seminars inside the 4-H Hall)
- 9 a.m. Tree Selection for Sedgwick County
- 10 a.m. Techie Tree Selection
- 11 a.m. Best Pruning Practices and Other Aspects of Tree Care (lecture followed by demonstration outside)
Demonstrations:
- 9:30 a.m. Composting 101 (in Bison Lecture Room, then outside to the Demo Garden for a demonstration)
- 10:30 a.m. Pruning Roses (south of 4-H Hall entry)
- 10:30 a.m. Tree Planting, Mulching and Watering
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Westlink Neighborhood Association General Meeting
Westlink Neighborhood Association held a General Meeting on Tuesday, March 21, at the new and beautiful
Oxford Villa Active Senior Apartments,
3130 N. Parkdale St. Thank you to friendly staff for the kind hospitality and delicious appetizers.
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Community Police Officer Robyn Douty gave a crime activity update and answered questions from residents
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Sgt. Steve Yarberry provided a history on Community Policing and the impact it has had on reducing neighborhood crime
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Councilman Bryan Frye gave an updates on road improvements new commercial development transit parks and pools
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Thank you to all who came out!
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Kellogg/I-235 Updates
Stay up-to-date with construction of the improvements to the Kellogg/I235 interchange. KDOT has established and is maintaining a website to keep citizens informed.
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Wichita District V Facebook Page
Stay up-to-date with news and events in our District.
Click here to visit our Facebook page. Send us a message or request or simply "like" our posts.
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WPD K-9 Officer Rooster was killed in the line of duty on March 19th. A memorial service is planned for today, Friday, March 31st, at 1:00 pm, at Century II Exhibition Hall. They will start seating at 12:30 pm.
Rest In Peace Rooster.
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BURN BAN FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF APRIL
Fire Marshal Brad Crisp and Air Quality Specialist Baylee Cunningham discuss the April Burn Ban and air quality in Wichita and what you can do to help the community breath cleaner air. Only barbecue grills are allowed to be used during the entire month of April.
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Water-Quality Monitoring at Cheney Reservoir Helps Ensure Safe Water Supply
Since 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey and the City of Wichita have cooperated in water quality investigations at Cheney Reservoir, analyzing inflows, in-reservoir processes, and water quality changes. Water quality monitors in place since 2001 provide real-time information about the condition of water entering the reservoir via the North Fork Ninnescah River and ultimately used for Wichita's municipal supply. Current water conditions at the reservoir are available online by clicking here.
Data from continuous monitoring sites can also be used to forecast future water conditions. For example, warm weather may be a precursor to a future algae bloom. Bloom events can cause a Public Health Watch, warning against skin contact. However, access to real-time water quality data allows the City to anticipate necessary changes to treatment processes and ensure safe drinking water.
USGS will soon be publishing its newest study, which provides a numerical model predicting occurrence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), microcystin, and taste-and-odor compounds. This study, which has been funded through cooperation with the City of Wichita, will be available at the this website: https://ks.water.usgs.gov/cheney-reservoir
Cheney Reservoir is an important part of Wichita's water supply and it is vital that acceptable water quality be maintained in Cheney and the surrounding watershed. Suspended sediment, nutrients, pesticides and bacteria may have detrimental effects on reservoir water quality. Harmful effects to human health and aquatic organisms, decreased recreational value and increased drinking water treatment costs are potential results from unsatisfactory water quality. The City of Wichita and the U.S. Geological Survey have and will continue to work together to establish a detailed history of the reservoir, which will allow the City to better understand water quality changes that may occur in the future
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This report highlights the City of Wichita's 2016 accomplishments and provides
a look ahead at the City's 2017 goals.
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City Webpage Provides Link to Unsubscribe from Unwanted Newspaper Delivery
The City of Wichita has worked with the Wichita Eagle and American Newspaper Solutions (ANS) to create an easy way to stop delivery of the free Eagle flyers. There is now an option on the City's website where citizens can contact ANS directly.
Please note, the City's only involvement in this process is to provide an easy-to-find link where you can unsubscribe.
The City has no control over how ANS responds to the unsubscribe requests. Sometimes delivery stops, but then starts up again when there is a new delivery person. If this happens, simply go to the link and unsubscribe again.
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Help Wichita's Parks Win
$20,000 Grant
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is collaborating with The Walt Disney Company - including Disney Citizenship, Disney ABC Television Group and ESPN - to revitalize parks across the country.
To revitalize parks, NRPA officials are asking residents to nominate their city at
www.nrpa.org/beinspired. Between April 1 and April 30, Wichita residents can nominate our city to receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements at a local park. Also, everyone who nominates a city will be entered into a drawing for a tablet equipped for outdoors.
"Local parks make a better place to live and shape so many of our lives," Troy Houtman, the Director of Park & Recreation, said. "Parks are essential to our city's health and well-being. They provide safe places to be active and enjoy nature. They help preserve the environment and bring people together."
Wichita Park & Recreation supports eight recreation centers, nine swimming pools, 52 athletic fields, five golf courses, six interactive fountains, numerous adult and youth-based activities and athletics programs and 2,407 acres of rights-of-way.
The NRPA is a not-for-profit organization working to ensuring that Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of nearly 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public spaces. For more information, please visit
www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, please visit
www.parksandrecreation.org.
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Animal Services Advisory Board
Seeks Public Input
The City of Wichita Animal Services Advisory Board is seeking community input on the issue of feral cats. The Board wants to determine if feral cats are a problem in Wichita and if so, seek appropriate remedies. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.
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Old Town Farmers' Market
Opens April 1
Better for you. Better for Wichita.
Shopping at Old Town Farmers' Market safeguards your ability to source outstanding food and handmade products from producers you know and trust.
Experience more than the fresh flavors of the market; check out the c
lasses, demonstrations, tastings, music, competitions and more.
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When: Saturday, April 1
Time: 12 - 4pm
Where: Old Cowtown Museum 1865 W Museum Blvd | Wichita, KS 67203
Tickets: FREE admission
Come out to Cowtown to find out what we have planned for the 2017 Season! Where else can you find Santa Claus and the Headless Horseman together? There will be information on all of our upcoming events, volunteers to chat with, and membership info. Most of the action will be inside our Visitor's Center, but there will be access to the museum grounds!
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Fairy Tea Party at Botanica
You won't want to miss this tea party and ballet performance by Ballet Wichita!
Each child will receive their own fairy wings when they take a seat at one of the tables at our new Lotus Hall. We will provide strawberry tea, lemonade and water along with mini sandwiches and other treats offered by Blue Moon Caterers.
After the tea, the kids are welcome to explore different stations where they will create their own fairy tutu, make a fairy wand and plant a flower to take home. This will be a one-of-a-kind event you and your child won't forget.
Saturday, April 8
First Seating 10:00am - Noon,Tea from 10am - 11:30am, Ballet Wichita performance 11:30am - Noon
Second Seating 11:30am - 1:30pm, Ballet Wichita performance
11:30am - Noon, Tea from Noon - 1:30pm
$35 kids and $10 adults (150 per seating)
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Saturday, April 8, 10am - Noon
Gates open at 9:45 am
Watson Park - 3022 S McLean Blvd.
$5.00 per carload entry fee - CASH ONLY
For ages 2- 10: BYOB (Bring your own basket)
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Join Wichita Park & Recreation and Genesis Health Clubs for the 2nd Annual Get Fit Wichita - Spring Cycle Spectacular at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday, April 8.
Certified cycle instructors will motivate you through sprints, climbs and runs while cycling to great music! Choose from two classes,
8:30am and 10:00am. Pre-registration is required.
GET FIT WICHITA is a collaboration between Genesis Health Clubs and The City of Wichita Park & Recreation. In the past year, we hosted four free exercise events, promoting health and wellness to hundreds of participants while showcasing our City's great parks.
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Move More in April
Outdoor walk-at-work events are in this spring. At your job, try out a "walking meeting" with a workmate or just enjoy the noontime fresh air. It's refreshing for mind and body to walk every day but you might see plenty of other pedestrians on some Wednesdays this spring:
- Move More in April, (American Heart Assoc., www.heart.org)
- April 26, National Walk at Lunch Day (Blue Cross Blue Shield of KS, www.BCBSKS.com)
- May 3, Get Fit Don't Sit Day, (American Diabetes Assoc., www.diabetes.org)
- May 17, Walk at Work Day, (Health & Wellness Coalition Wichita, www.hwcwichita.org)
Find your favorite time to walk: morning, noon, after supper. Walk tall. Do some backward shoulder rolls to relieve stress. Walking is an uplifting respite from the work day or home day.
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Wichita Public Library Young Artists' Exhibit
For the ninth year in a row, the Wichita Public Library has partnered with local early childhood programs to present the Young Artists' Exhibit. Displayed throughout the month of April, exhibits at libraries across Wichita recognize the Week of the Young Child, a celebration of early learning, young children, their teachers and families. Artwork created by hundreds of Wichita children based on a literary theme will be displayed at the Central Library as well as the Alford, Angelou, Evergreen, Rockwell, and Westlink Branch Libraries.
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LOAD 'EM UP AND GET 'EM OUT
Sedgwick County is offering
free tire disposal for
residents on April 14 & 15 (Businesses can dispose for free on April 13).
Get rid of unwanted tires before the mosquito season gets here! Tires stacked outside tend to hold water and make an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. If they are in your garage, spiders and other insects will find them a handy place to lay their eggs.
Take them to the Sedgwick County Waste Yard at 4701 S. West St. between 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m on April 14 and 15.
This is for Sedgwick County residents only!
Thank you Sedgwick County!
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SENIOR WEDNESDAYS
IN WICHITA
Senior Wednesdays are always fun and there is something different to do; someone new to meet. There are also many senior activity centers in Wichita and the surrounding areas, so be informed.
Be entertained.
Be active.
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Life Happens Here!
From year-round to seasonal events, Downtown is the preferred location for Wichita to celebrate throughout the year. A variety of events cater to the diverse interests of Wichita residents and many visitors from Kansas and throughout the regional area.
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Riverfest Needs You!
Volunteering is a fun way to get involved and get a behind the scenes look at a long-running Wichita tradition.
Volunteers are the heart and backbone of the Wichita Riverfest. Each year they need over 5,500 volunteers to work a total of 19,000 volunteer hours. An estimated 80 volunteer committees help plan and execute Riverfest. Volunteers work on committees, help with mailings, package buttons, answer phones and work onsite at Riverfest to make it successful.
Lots of positions are available with flexible days and times to fit your schedule.
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KANSEL Construction Training Program
KANSEL has a great training opportunity for men and women interested in a career in construction. This FREE program prepares students for entry level construction work. They are trained in power & hand tools, construction math, blueprint reading, and receive OSHA, physical fitness, and life management skills instruction.
Students who complete the course have an opportunity to interview with local construction companies. Applicants must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, be legally employable in the U.S. and attend all session of the 7 week course. Interested students should plan to attend one of the above information sessions to apply for the program.
Call 263-9620 for more information.
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JOBS are here in Wichita!
The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer a job board with local, Wichita area, jobs only! A free service for job seekers, it will save you the time of searching through dozens of jobs outside of the area. Create a free account here
and you will be automatically signed up for all Wichita area updates and can customize the search further if you wish.
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Check out the latest information on job fairs and training courses. Click here.
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FRAUD ALERTS
from the OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
There are many scams and frauds going on now days, so be alert when answering your phone or responding to an email from an unknown sender. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, has all of the latest tips and reporting phone numbers if you suspect you have been a victim of a scam or some type of fraud. Be prepared and be aware! Learn more by clicking on their
link.
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Don't be Left in the Dark!
Help deter crime and keep our communities safe by reporting street light outages. If you notice outages within your neighborhood, fill out this simple form on Westar Energy's website.
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Spring 2017 Park & Recreation Activities Guide is now available!
Get registered for classes
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Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
Southwest of Central and Maize
1011 N. Maize Ct. |
District V Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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The District V Advisory Board meets the first Monday of the month at Fire Station #21 at 2110 N. 135th St W. Wichita, KS 672235. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For the 2017 meeting schedule,
click here.
To see a listing of the meeting schedule for District V's neighborhood associations, click
here.
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Click
here to find up-to-date
information regarding street
maintenance in your area.
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
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City Manager's Office
455 N. Main, 13 Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
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