Old Settlers

The Johnson County Old Settlers event is going on this weekend September 6-8 in downtown Olathe, Ks! If you have never attended this event before, it's a blast for the whole family! The events include an ice cream social, carnival rides, band performances, arts and crafts fair, an auto show, a parage and much, much more! Events start Thursday, September 6th at 5:30pm. For more information visit: Old Settlers

Final My Dearest Kitty .. In Honor of Christopher J Brooks

FINAL My Dearest Kitty, 

( Last Post from the author – Christopher J Brooks)

· Thanks for barfing next to the food dish and cleaning it up afterwards. I love self maintenance pets.

· Again the thing attached to your butt… it is called your tail. It is NOT attacking you.

· Oh, and I decide to pet you… biting me is not required.

· Please keep in mind that trying to lift the toilet seat just means your head will get stuck… AGAIN!

· Also, please do not vocalize your ‘efforts’in the litter box! It only has a single purpose and I do not need a memo.

· And STOP opening and slamming the cabinet doors, the food is in a dish on the floor!

· I must remind you that cold paws on me while sleeping will get a smack to the back of your head or butt!

· Oh and I know the heat went out again…they will be up soon to fix. Please see space heater as I am not your personal ‘heat source’… stop standing on me!

· Also… stop sniffing the other cats butt! You know it stinks because you keep making that same face.

· Rumor has it that an average of 50 toys are under my bed… I am not your personal entertainer. Please seek out ‘said toys’…

· Again… Cat Conference of when you complain is at 10:15AM SHARP!  If you are late and remember your current complaint?  Just remember you got 2 cans of food for breakfast!

Christopher passed away last month on March 25^th after a very brief stay in the hospital.  Friends and family were aware that he wasn’t feeling 100% but had no idea that he was in danger for his life.  He drove himself to the hospital on March 14^th and would be in Hospice the following week.  Christopher was one of the winners of the IPod contest and really enjoyed that you liked his Cat Diary’s.  Now, the family is trying to find amazing homes for his adorable and obviously spoiled kitty kids.  These last few kitty thought were lines he sent to me (his Mom) after the contest was over.  Enjoy and smile often when you think of a silly kitty story.

Hugs to you all,

Joanne B in building 3

Getting back in touch with an old friend ...

As most of you probably know by now, Borders book stores are going out of business. Last night we stopped by one of the Borders stores to see if there were any books that I couldn’t live without. They have some amazing deals (40% off magazines!) and some really good new and old book selections, but all in all, we walked out with only a couple of books. Why? Because as a young adult trying to save for my future, I simply can’t afford to buy all of the books I would like to read.

As a child, I used to go to the library a lot. I grew up in Wichita, KS and once a week my mom would drive me and my siblings down to the Central branch of the Wichita Public Library so I could check out a few books for the coming week. I was admittedly (even then) a book worm. So many stories and worlds to visit, and so little time. Even after I moved away to college there was always the college library available to me, both as a quiet place to study (or meet up with friends for a coffee break) or as a place to access printers and fax machines. But when I transitioned into young adulthood and moved to the Overland Park area, I lost touch with this amazing resource. I wandered through Half Price Books occasionally and perused Borders or Barnes and Nobel when I saw their signs and needed a reprieve from my fast-paced computer-oriented work. Libraries? I hadn’t really seen them around yet, and just didn’t take the time to look them up.

Fast forward to this weekend. I walked out of Borders slightly disappointed that I couldn’t buy more books… things that would keep me interested on those days when it was just too hot to get outside. So my fiancé suggested that we check out the Public Library. She already had a card for the Johnson County Libraries, so we went to the Central Branch on 87th street. It was easy to find, and parking was easily available, despite the number of cars already there. Walking in the front set of doors, I was immediately greeted with an easy to understand layout. The circulation desk was right in front of me, and they have signs detailing which direction to head for the books you are looking for. Fiction is close to the front, making it easy for me to find a few novels I had been hoping to read over the past several weeks, but had put off looking for at the book stores. They had several displays of book suggestions, and a few covers caught my eye. I browsed through the “new book” section, just wondering if there was anything I should read for current events. I remember smiling several times as I looked up to see other people just browsing like I was, looking for the next set of words to catch their attention. More than an hour later (with several books in my hands) I was headed out the door again.

The checkout process was incredibly simple since they have self-checkout stations that take only moments of your time, and provide you with either a printed or digital receipt of your books and due dates. The Library also has a website that completely simplifies which books are available (and where) and even renewal options. They also have the capability of creating “shelves” like wish lists to remember which titles interested you, or you have already read. They are reciprocal with the Olathe public library system as well, which allowed me to get a book that the Johnson County library system didn’t have on their shelves. And if there is any book I find online that I want to put on hold, it will be waiting behind the front circulation counter when I get there. For a library that is so conveniently close to where I live and work, I don’t think it could get much better!

Overall, it was a lot like getting to know an old friend again. There are those awkward moments of asking questions you feel like you should already know the answers to, or moments of a silly smile only you can understand, because that memory was between you and a book. But like an old friend, seeing those books was comforting and enjoyable. If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to duck inside, to get out of life for a moment; somewhere between the cell phones, the work calls and the fitness centers; somewhere out of the blazing sun, consider checking out the public libraries around you. I just might run into you there!

Jacque E.

Back to School for the Olathe School District

For residents of The Preserve at Overland Park, the exact back to school date will vary depending upon what grade your student is in. School starts for grades 1-6 and 9th grade on August 15th. They will attend a ½ day of school. EVERYONE starts for the entire day on August 16th.

So summer is over next week. :( Seems like the last day of school was just a few days ago. This means I have to start getting up earlier too. No more waking up at 8:00 AM. School starts at 7:50 AM so now I have to start setting my alarm back to 6:45 AM. Ugh! But I have to put on the happy face to get my son excited about starting school. YAY! --> Did you believe me? ;)~

If you have more questions, you can visit the Olathe School District's website at http://www.olathe.k12.ks.us/.

You can download the calendar for the Olathe School District at http://www.olathe.k12.ks.us/aboutus/calendars/district-calendars.

Is The Great Mall really that GREAT?

Have you ever visited The Great Mall?

I have lived in this area for several years and never knew anything about The Great Mall. People have told me that it has seen its better days and that the mall is empty but it still has a few good stores like Aeropostale, Journeys, Burlington Coat Factory, Game Stop, and Famous Footwear. There is definitely not a huge selection of stores but there are a few hidden gems. There are outlets like Children’s Place Outlet, Bath & Body Works Outlet, Lane Bryant Outlet. There is a Big Day Boutique where you can have a "Princess Party." You get a professional entertainer sure to make your special little girl feel like a True Princess. There's a Cosmic Mini Golf and a Dickinson Movie Theater. You can renew your license there at the newly opened DMV or take your kids to play at one of the Family Entertainment Centers.

I recently took my son and my nieces and nephews to play at Zonkers Family Entertainment Center. And I thought it was amazing! There is an inside roller coaster and several other rides. Lots of arcade games and face painting with a huge inside bounce house. I took 8 kids, bought them all wrist bands to ride as many rides as they wanted for $10 a piece. It was the most amazing indoor fun EVER. When it's 100+ it is too hot to be outside so this was an amazing find. www.zonkers.com

There is also Monkey Bizness. This is an inside colorful interactive play center where kids can burn off some energy. I haven’t been there but they have Open Play every Wednesday from 4pm-8pm for only $6.00. They have soft play areas and bounce house fun. I have also heard they have an inside roller coaster there too. Excited to check it out.

This weekend ...
Evans Midland Empire Carnival is in town! Funnel cakes! :)
Open July 13th – 16th. Wristbands are $2o from 6pm-10pm and they have several rides on the Northeast Side of the Mall.

July 22nd-23rd
Great Mall BBQ Contest - They are offering free admission to this State Championship BBQ Contest. There is a beer garden, food vendors, mini golf and a bounce house.

September 11, 2011
The Association of the United States Army, Greater Kansas City Chapter will be hosting the Patriot’s Run at The Great Mall. Proceeds from this 26 mile marathon will benefit The Salvation Army in Olathe, KS.

So for a mall that has been said to have seen it's better days, I was impressed. I suggest checking it out for yourself when you have a chance. www.greatmallgreatplains.com

More fun to come,
Melody Goss :)