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City of Wichita District II Newsletter |
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A Message from Council Member
Pete Meitzner...
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Happy May Month to you all. This month of May seems to be the healthy awareness month. Everything for taking care of yourself are consistent reminders..... Bike Month, Walk Month, Read a Book Month, Eat Healthy Month, Gardening Month, Enjoy the Weather Month....you get the picture.
However, I do want to point to a couple of big additions to our city.
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Pictured with Becky Tuttle, Project Manager for Health ICT and Chair of the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita |
On May 4, we revealed a Bike Share program, called BikeShareICT. If you travel to other major cities, you often will see similar bike share programs. There will be 19 bikeshare stations scattered around Wichita, with over 100 bikes you can use at your will, and leave it at a different station or return it to the original station. These programs are often funded by city budgets. But, thanks to Becky Tuttle, Project Manager for Health ICT and Chair of the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita, our City was able to secure private sponsorships for the next three years. I want to thank BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas and the Knight Foundation Fund through the Wichita Community Foundation for sponsoring this fantastic program.
Also, on May 11, we announced the
roll out of the new Q-Line Trolley routes. One of the most significant features of the new route is it extends from Clifton Square to Delano. It stays on Douglas, with multiple back-forth trolley busses, and will run until 1:30am on Friday and Saturday nights. And the best part is... the Q-Line is FREE to ride! So you can park at College Hill area and take it downtown every 15 minutes, for the many various activities that keep growing downtown, especially on weekends.
Why is it called the Q-Line? I asked. When these trolleys were first rolled out, the charge was only 25 cents (a quarter), and thus named the Q-Line after the quarter cost. Soon after, minimal use happened so they eliminated the quarter and now it is FREE.... But the name remains "Q-Line"... A little trivia for you all.
Again, Happy May Month wishes to all of you, and don't forget your mom on Mother's Day!
Have a great weekend!
Pete Meitzner
Wichita City Council
District II Council Member
Ph: 316.268.4331
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Wichita District II Breakfast
Join Council Member Pete Meitzner for breakfast!
When: Saturday, May 20, 8:30 a.m
Where: The Regent, 2050 N. Webb Road
Come enjoy a FREE breakfast!
City Engineer, Gary Janzen, will provide an update on road construction projects and representatives from WPD and WFD will give District II activity reports.
Hope to see you there!
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Citizen Input Needed on Harrison Park
Attention east Wichita residents! The City of Wichita is seeking community input on what kinds of improvements citizens would like to see at Harrison Park. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey.
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East Kellogg Improvements Update
Monday, May 15, Zelta Street, north of Kellogg, will be temporarily closed for stormwater box and waterline construction.
The Kellogg & Webb Project is finishing up the second phase of construction at the east side of Webb Road. The focus now is on the north frontage road and the west side of Webb.
At the second East Kellogg improvement project, between Greenwich and K-96, the first phase of the project, utility relocation, is nearing completion. Major work on Kellogg, between Zelta and K-96, continues. The installation of two large drainage boxes is nearly complete and reconstruction of the eastbound bridge crossing the Turnpike is under way.
Traffic impacts in the near-term include:
- Westbound Kellogg traffic will be moved to the north frontage road between Greenwich and Webb Road on May 25, weather permitting. Expect the U-turn 1/2 mile east of Webb to be closed for a few hours during non-peak travel time to allow for new striping.
- Zelta north of Kellogg is restricted to one-way traffic northbound and will temporarily close Monday, May 15, for waterline and sanitary sewer installation.
- While the East Kellogg toll plaza (Exit 50) remains open, all traffic entering the Turnpike will use a single 12-foot lane for both cash & K-TAG/electronic motorists to accommodate work in the dedicated K-TAG lane.
Long-term traffic impacts include:
- The ramp from eastbound K-96 to westbound Kellogg is closed for the duration of the project.
- Between Zelta and K-96, Kellogg is reduced to one westbound lane and one eastbound lanes, with a left turn lane from westbound Kellogg to southbound Zelta.
- With the goal of improving safety, 127th Street the connection to East Kellogg is closed. A new connection from 127th Street to Zelta is part of the improvements
Click here to stay up-to-date on East Kellogg construction or via Twitter at @E54ict.
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City Staff:
Officer R.L. West
Wichita Police Department, Patrol East 37 Beat Coordinator
Officer West has served as the Patrol East 37 beat coordinator since July of 2016. He oversees daily beat activity and serves as a liaison between citizens and the department. When community concerns and problems are present, Officer West works with several facets of law enforcement to reduce crime, social disorder and neighborhood quality.
Officer West began his career in 2002, working in Patrol East on 2nd shift (2:30 pm-10:30 pm). In 2008 Officer West became a CP Officer and was assigned initially to 38 beat where he served for 8 years. In 2016, he moved to 37 beat where he continues his service attending District Advisory Board and neighborhood meetings among several other responsibilities.
He has been recognized for these community events by receiving three Wichita Police Department Civic Achievement awards and has received four Wichita Police Department Distinguished Service awards. In 2013, Officer West received the American Red Cross Wichita Law Enforcement Hero Award for developing and coordinating the annual Halloween in the Park event. This event focuses on Halloween safety with young children in our community.
Officer West received two Good Apple Awards for his involvement with USD 259. Officer West is active in training police recruits and developing training for other officers.
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The Sport of Pickleball is Taking Wichita by Storm
For those not familiar with pickleball, this sport combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton. The hollow, perforated ball is hit with a paddle similar to a table tennis paddle.
Pickleball is played on a badminton sized court so there's not as much area to cover compared to playing tennis, but don't let the size of the court fool you! Pickleball can be played slow or fast. It's up to you to set the pace, but every game delivers a good
workout. It is wildly popular with baby boomers, but youth and young adults are being introduced to the sport and are loving it as well!
Wichita Park & Recreation has pickleball year-round with a total of 12 marked indoor courts in the gymnasiums at Boston, Edgemoor, Linwood and Orchard Recreation Centers. We are also proud to say that Edgemoor Recreation Center is the
first
Wichita location to have six dedicated outdoor pickleball courts!
games. Other programs offered at various times throughout the year include:
* Introductory Classes & Workshops
* Advanced Skills & Drills Clinics
* Private Lessons
* Tournaments
Save the Date!
Stars & Stripes Doubles Tournament
Saturday, July 1 | Edgemoor Recreation Center
$20/person
Levels - Intermediate, advanced and super advanced
Call 688.9392 to register or for more information.
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Junior Golfers Needed!
MacDonald Golf Course is seeking kids who want to play golf in the popular and affordable PGA Jr. League! This is a great beginner and developmental league, offering fun, socializing and golf lessons for boys and girls ages 9-13.
Kids play under the direction of PGA Professionals. They wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends.
Teams play four, nine-hole matches in a two-person scramble format for competition. In addition to playing matches, kids participate in weekly practices. Each player will receive one-on-one instruction from their coach.
Practices begin mid-May, matches start in June. Registration deadline is May 14.
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3rd ANNUAL
WALK WITH WILDLIFE
Saturday, May 20, 2017 * 9 AM to 3 PM
Chisholm Creek Park
6232 E. 29th Street North
Admission Donation: $2 per person
How many times have you taken a hike in a wildlife area and not seen any wildlife? Well, come on out Saturday,May 20 and we'll bring the animals to you! As you walk a 1/2 mile handicapped-accessible loop of our trail system here at Chisholm Creek Park, visit stations set up along the way and see dozens of species you may never have a chance to see otherwise!
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Wichita District II Facebook Page
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May 13 & 14 at the
Wichita Art Museum
1400 W Museum Blvd
The Friends of the Wichita Art Museum present the 58th Annual Art and Book Fair. National and regional artists are featured outside the museum and inside hundreds of books will be on sale.
Admission is FREE!
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Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect food donations. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people most in need. The food drive's time is crucial, as food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the holidays. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.
When giving, please consider providing healthy options.
Food insecurity often means that healthy choices are out of reach. When filling your bag for your letter carrier, please select canned fruit in juice, not syrup; low-sodium canned soups and vegetables; tuna in water, not oil; brown rice and whole-grain pasta.
Participating in this year's Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is simple. Just leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 13th and your letter carrier will do the rest. I invite the entire community to join in a great day of giving and help in the fight to end hunger.
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Celebrate Mother's Day at Botanica!
There are several ways for you to celebrate mom at Botanica. In addition to the gardens, moms can sip on a mimosa or wine while they enjoy the gardens.
In addition to the gardens, on May 14th moms can eat lunch at Mother's Day Cafe provided by Friends of Botanica. The Iris Club, Rose Society and the Prairie Winds Daylily Club will also be having a show and sale on Mother's Day.
For the mom who has everything, give the gift that gives back all year with a membership to Botanica. Buy your membership by May 12 and save $10. Call Natalie Mahaffay at 316-264-0448 ext. 107 and mention this to receive the discount.
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Friday ~ May 19 ~ 5 - 8 PM
This Night At The Fountains Rally will feature many family fun events, along with local food, shopping, and music! This month's theme is Mothers Day, bring your mom out and treat her to ICT's finest!
For extra family fun,
Synergy Arts
will be attending as well!
Food truck vendors: Funky Monkey Munchies, B.S. Sandwich Press, Lil'Bit Gourmet Burgers, The Kamayan Truck, Big Chill Ice Cream, Sunflower Espresso Wichita, Hot-2-Trot Gourmet Hotdogs, The Big Apple - NY Street Food Truck, U-Hungry TRUCK, Lynn's Curbside Cookout, The Brown Box Bakery, Urban Skillet, and Songbird Juice Co.!
Hope to see you there!
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Start Neighborhood Night Out Planning Now
The City of Wichita will celebrate Neighborhood Night Out from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
Neighborhood Night Out is an annual event that promotes public safety. It combats crime by encouraging neighbors to get to know one another through neighborhood parties, picnics, cookouts and other social gatherings over one designated evening. Formerly celebrated as National Night Out and Celebrate Safe Communities, Neighborhood Night Out is in its second year. Elected officials, police officers, firefighters and other City staff will attend neighborhood parties.
"Neighborhood Night Out is a great way to get to know your neighbors, so you can look out for one another and keep your area safe," Mayor Jeff Longwell said.
To encourage participation, the City will waive park fees for groups that want to hold their gathering in a neighborhood park. While supplies last, the City also will provide barricades at no charge to groups that want to block off a portion of the street for their event. It's up to neighborhoods to decide how to celebrate.
The registration form for parties is available online, as well as the form for street closures.
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Wichita Public Library Kicks Off
Summer Reading Program
The Wichita Public Library's
Summer Reading Program
launches May 18! Combat summer learning loss by signing your children up to be a part of a challenge that rewards them for reading! It's a fun and effective way to prevent the learning loss that happens when children don't engage in mental activities (like reading) over summer break.
There's a program for teens, one for children ages 3 through 5th grade, and another one that focuses on early literacy skills designed just for babies and toddlers. Plus the Library is bringing in special performers and presenters all summer long for
FREE children's programming
at public libraries across our City.
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HEALTHY COOKING MADE EASIER!
COOKING MATTERS: A Free Cooking Workshop Series
Brought to you by the Greater Wichita YMCA
Space is limited for this
FREE program, and registration is required. For registration, locations, and times, please click
here!
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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!
June 2-10, 2017
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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H2O Care Fund
The City of Wichita recognizes that there are many residents who are struggling during these difficult economic times, especially during the holidays.
This voluntary program provides a simple way to directly help others. Even small donations can add up and provide a way for people to maintain their water service. There are three ways to help, and you can find out how by filling out the City of Wichita H2O Care Fund Program Donation Form here.
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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 job fairs and
training courses. Click here.
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How to report...
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Don't be left in the
dark
If you notice streetlight outages within your neighborhood, fill out this
simple form on Westar Energy's website.
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Summer 2017
Park & Recreation Activities Guide is now available!
Get registered for classes
by
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
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| Comotara Branch Library
Inside Dillons Market, 2244 N. Rock
Rockwell Branch Library 5939 E. 9th Eastview Park Just South of Coleman Middle School Boston Park 6655 E. Zimmerly St. Cottonwood Park Located just East of Boston Park W.B. Harrison Park Located East of S. Webb, just South of E. Bayley St. |
District II Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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The District II Advisory Board meets the second Monday of the month at Fire Station #20 at 2255 S. Greenwich Rd. Wichita, KS 67207. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For the 2017 meeting schedule,
click here.
The District II Breakfast occurs quarterly. The next breakfast is scheduled for
May 20, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. at The Regent Senior Living Residence at 2050 N. Webb Rd. (In the theater on the second floor).
To see a listing of the meeting schedule for District II'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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City Manager's Office
455 N. Main, 13 Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
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