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Kansas

Create Arts Grants

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Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission Announces Grants

 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission is now accepting applications for its two main grant categories, The Strategic Investment Program and The Arts Integration Program.

The Strategic Investment Program recognizes the important role creative organizations play in building and sustaining cultural and economic vibrancy in Kansas. By funding a variety of professional and organizational development opportunities that impact cultural programming, these grants support initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism.

The Arts Integration Programs support the role the arts play in all levels of education, community service, and workforce development. This program provides funding for educational institutions, arts organizations, and community service non-profits to use the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills, and enhance community development.

The first deadline for application submission is September 7, 2018 for projects taking place Oct. 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. The second deadline for application submission is January 7, 2019 for projects taking place Feb. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2019.

 

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM

 

Strategic Investment Program grants are awarded in three categories:

 

  • Organizational Development:This category provides funding for professional development opportunities for Kansas based arts organizations that help strengthen business practices, increase organizational viability and promote long term sustainability.
  • New and Expanded Works:This program provides funding for new or significantly expanded productions, exhibitions, programs or events by Kansas-based nonprofit arts organizations. Projects should either be an entirely new type of program for the organization designed to diversify its services or an expansion of an existing program designed to significantly enhance the quality of current offerings.
  • Equipment and Technology:This program provides funding to purchase equipment, materials, and/or technology upgrades to expand or improve an applicant’s organization.

Applicants for a grant under the Strategic Investment Program must make a compelling case as to why this particular self-identified activity or opportunity was selected, how it will have a substantial impact on their work and community, and how it will enhance the national reputation of Kansas.

Guidelines and additional information can be found here:
http://kansascommerce.gov/707/Strategic-Investment-Program

 

 

ARTS INTEGRATION PROGRAM

 

Arts Integration Programs are awarded in three categories:

  • Visiting Artists:This category provides funding for eligible organizations to engage and deepen the impact of arts programming on local and underserved audiences through exposure to and interaction with professional visiting arts. Presenters may book artists in any discipline, not just in performing arts. Projects should strive to integrate an arts discipline into non-arts content areas; help interpret an exhibition, performance, or presentation; and support community development goals and objectives. Booking artists on the Kansas Touring Roster allow for a $1,000 credit for the applicant organization: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/705/KS-Roster

o    Note: KCAIC will review applications for roster inclusion in early March. Please check the website at that time for an expanded list and encourage qualified artists to apply. In addition, Visiting Artists grants featuring roster artists will be accepted and reviewed year round up to 30 days prior to proposed activities.

  • Integrated Arts Education:This category supports new or expanded educational programming that integrates arts learning into non-arts curriculum and content areas to address emerging technologies, areas of skills shortages, STEM curricula, workforce readiness, and increase student performance.
  • Innovative Partnerships:This category supports innovative programming between arts organizations and non-arts organizations to impact a variety of community and/or economic development goals. Arts organizations are encouraged to partner with other community entities (hospitals, prisons, etc.) to develop arts-centered programs that address community needs such as public health, transportation, tourism, unemployment, aging, corrections, etc.

Guidelines and additional information can be found at http://kansascommerce.gov/666/Arts-Integration-Program

To review the application process, as well as program and category specific policies and guidelines visit KansasCommerce.gov/CAIC. Applications can be submitted online at https://kansascaic.submittable.com .

Grants will be reviewed by peer panel and awarded at the quarterly commission meeting in April.

All grants are made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and are subject to KCAIC and NEA standards and regulations.

For more on the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission go to KansasCommerce.gov/caic.

 

Business, Government, Kansas

Dept. Of Commerce Launches Online Business Magazine

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Kansas Commerce launches KansasCentral.com, an Online Business and Economic Development Magazine

 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce announces the launch of a new online magazine loaded with news and feature articles on business and economic development topics in Kansas. KansasCentral.com is aimed to keep Kansans and anyone interested in starting, relocating or expanding a business in Kansas informed of topics and opportunities in the state.

“It has been exciting to see so many businesses decide to expand to Kansas or start new operations here in America’s heartland, creating thousands of new jobs,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “KansasCentral.com will not only keep everyone informed of breaking news of companies locating in Kansas but will share success stories of thriving businesses in our state.”

KansasCentral.com features three main content areas: News, Events and Features.

  • The News section will constantly be updated with breaking business and economic development news, such as business expansions throughout the state and new or updated programs to assist businesses of all sizes be successful in Kansas.
  • The Events section will highlight upcoming conferences, workshops, job fairs, etc. that will be beneficial to entrepreneurs, business executives, employers and job seekers across the state.
  • The Features section will include success stories, video interviews, and articles about programs available through the Department of Commerce and other agencies that will benefit Kansas businesses or those considering locating in the state.

 

WATCH: KansasCentral intro video

 

Both the News and Features sections also offer the ability for readers to easily find information specific to industries they are interested in, such as Aviation, Agriculture, Bio-Science and Energy.

“There are many great stories to tell of why Kansas is the best place in the country to do business, along with a steady stream of good news to share,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We hope KansasCentral will quickly become a must-visit website for anyone interested in business and economic opportunities in our state.”

Fort Scott

Diabetes Support Group at Mercy Hospital

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 Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in McAuley Room C. The session topic is “Diabetes basics: Key behaviors to living healthier with diabetes.”

Patty Ryan, Mercy R.N. and diabetes educator, will lead the discussion and share details about options that may work for you.

The support group is open to the public. No registration is required and family members are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about this topic or other important information regarding managing diabetes, join the Mercy Diabetes Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of every other month. The next meeting date is September 17.

For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223-8412.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Library Offers Fun!

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Mishken Milton enjoys the pool at a previous library pool party.

Submitted by Valetta Cannon Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director

Rock Painting Party and Hunt
Join Miss Val and local rock-painting experts, Susan Carrillo and Dani Norris, for rock painting in the library and hunting for them around the library grounds on July 23, either from 2:30 – 3:30 or from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You may register online through the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/NxYGIkCqzNyqux0r1 or on paper at any library kids’ program. Refreshments will be served and the party is free to attend.
Harry Potter Teen Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party
Middle and high school students, join Miss Val and Susan Messer at the Fort Scott Public Library on Harry Potter’s birthday, July 31, from 4 – 6 p.m. for a party to wrap up the 2018 teen summer reading program. Games, activities, and snacks will be offered based on themes inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. This party is free to attend.
Summer Reading Wrap-Up Pool Party 
Summer reading attendees, read on to see whether you qualify to attend the wrap-up party at the Fort Scott Municipal Pool on August 7, from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.
Attendees must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) Attend at least four summer reading programs and meet reading goals for at least four weeks out of the summer (or have an immediate family member who meets this criterion).
2) Donate to (or be an immediate family member of someone who has donated to) the summer reading program.
3) Volunteer at (or be an immediate family member of someone who has volunteered at) a summer reading program.
Librarian Valetta Cannon submitted this article.
We will swim, snack, and enjoy one another’s company as we wrap up another great summer together. This party is compliments of the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Municipal Pool, with food provided by donors and paid for in part by a grant from our local Wal-Mart, along with bottled water donated by our local G & W Cash Saver. Thank you to all who have helped to make this year’s summer reading program a success!
Obituary

Obituary of Glenn McReynolds

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Glenn A. McReynolds, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.
He was born February 19, 1935, in Ft. Scott, the son of Oren J. McReynolds and Fannie Marie Bowers McReynolds.
He married Beverly Combs on April 8, 1962, at Miami, Oklahoma.  She Glenn served with the United States from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.
In earlier years, he had been employed by Lotterer’s Furniture Company.  He later served for several years with the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department.  Following his career with law enforcement, Glenn worked in maintenance at the Medicalodge nursing home.  He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association.
 
Survivors include a daughter and son from a previous marriage, Linda Kniejski and husband, Dr. Michael Kniejski, of Savannah, Georgia and Dan McReynolds, of Twenty-Nine Palms, California and two grandsons, David and Stephen Kniejski.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Oren (Joyce) McReynolds, Gearold (Glenda) McReynolds, Carolyn Sue (Elbert) Ford, Ida (Tom) Ford, Fannie (Tommy) Roark, Dorothy (Jr.) Blessing, Mary (John) Seal, Helen Watson, Howard Sharp, Harold Sharp, David Eisenbrandt, Donna Eisenbrandt, and very dear friend Joyce Bradley.
His wife, Beverly, preceded him in death on June 24, 2009.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Don and Lee McReynolds; two sisters, Marie Davis and Ruby Sharp and a niece, Shirley Howell. 
 
Rev. Dr. Dale Cummins will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Police Department and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Annual Flushing/Burnout Starts July 16 in Bourbon County

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City of Fort Scott 2018 Flushing/Burnout

Who: City of Fort Scott Water Utility

What: Is initiating our annual flushing/ free Cl2 burnout process.

When: Starting on Monday, July 16 and lasting approximately four weeks.

Where: Fort Scott – this will affect the majority of Bourbon County.

Why: In order to maintain water quality. If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause water quality to degrade, and could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE. During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in our distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine. Chloramines are created by combining free chlorine with free ammonia. A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water. Except during a burn out in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system. However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These naturally occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

This is why surface water systems across the State do an annual or biannual free chlorine burnout. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Customers may notice City personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the City during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, blow-offs, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water. During the flushing and burnout, you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however, most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes four to five weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water to which we are accustomed. We are extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available to us. Quality water helps promote quality of life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate as we are in water supply and water quality.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Business, Kansas

Wind Farm Offers Sustainability For Business

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New Westar Energy Program, Wind Farm Aims to Attract Large Customers

Kansas Wind Energy Can Attract Businesses Looking to Fulfill Sustainability Commitments.

TOPEKA, Kan. – July 11, 2018 – Tuesday the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a new program that gives businesses in Westar Energy’s service area access to competitively priced renewable energy. With the approval of the program, Westar announced it reached a 20-year agreement with an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC to purchase energy from a new 300 megawatt wind farm to be developed in Nemaha County, Kan.

“The KCC unlocked a powerful economic development tool. Many large companies want affordable green energy when they choose sites for expansion or new facilities,” said Terry Bassham, president and CEO of Evergy, which operates as Westar Energy and KCP&L. “We are harnessing Kansas wind to attract and grow Kansas businesses. Wind energy boosts our local economies starting with the new wind farm jobs and the lease payments to landowners hosting the wind farm all the way to the communities that grow as businesses choose Kansas.”

The new program aims to attract business development to Kansas by offering businesses a path toward their sustainability goals with Kansas’ abundant, affordable renewable energy. Participating businesses will be able to claim a portion of the energy generated by the wind farm as their own, retain all of the renewable attributes and lock in a portion of their electricity prices for up to 20 years. The program is structured to add projects in the future to keep up with the growing appetite for renewable sources of our customers.

The Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center, which will be developed northeast of Manhattan, is expected to bring about 250 construction jobs and 15 to 20 permanent green energy jobs to Nemaha County. During the first 30 years of the project, landowners will receive more than $50 million in land-rights payments. The wind farm will be owned and operated by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, Inc.

With its focus on renewables, Evergy meets nearly half of the energy needs for the homes and businesses it serves with energy from zero-emission sources. Nearly one-third comes from renewable energy, making Evergy one of the largest wind energy providers in the nation. Evergy continues to modernize its generation portfolio, increasing the percentage of clean energy available to customers and introducing new programs to help customers reach their sustainability and clean energy goals.

About KCP&L and Westar Energy: Serving approximately 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes
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evergyinc.com
and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.