‘She pours her heart and soul into her work.’ Olathe East teacher won this arts award

Laura Klaassen, choral director at Olathe East High School, has received the 2022 Kansas High School Student Athletics Association’s Heart of the Arts Award. Among the efforts Klaassen was cited for is her adaptive music class with the center-based resource students.

“Laura Klaassen changes lives,” Mike Wolgast, athletic director at Olathe East, said in a statement. “Laura is deserving of the award. She pours her heart and soul into her work, her students and the Olathe East family.”

Public input sought on grants

Johnson County is looking for public input as it starts to craft its 2024 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grants.

These grants are used to leverage community projects and help provide for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents. Johnson County government administers these grants for all of its cities, except for Overland Park and Shawnee, which administer their own programs.

The public has several options to contribute their thoughts:

▪ An online needs assessment survey is available by visiting jocogov.org/department/community-development and scrolling down to housing and needs assessment.

▪ A public hearing will be held at 2 p.m. March 8 at Johnson County Administration Building, 111 S. Cherry St. in Olathe, second floor, suite 2000. For more information about the hearing, including how to attend via Zoom go to jocogov.org/meetings-events and search needs assessment.

Forever Welcome to hold ‘Fairness’ event

The nonprofit organization Forever Welcome will host Fairness & Belonging: Discussing the State of the American Immigration System, on March 9 at the Glenwood Arts Theatre, 3707 W. 95th St., Overland Park. It will include the premiere of a documentary film “Alien” followed by a panel discussion and a community question-and-answer session. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. with the film screening at 6:15 p.m. followed by the panel discussion. The event is free, but registration is requested. To register, go to: foreverwelcome.org/events/alien-movie-premier.

Gardening event coming up

The Healthy Yard Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11 at the Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee.

Visitors will find gardening advice and resources for an environmentally friendly garden. Other highlights include free tree seedlings while they last; door prizes such as rain barrels and compost bins; speakers on plants, composting, organic gardening and edible landscaping; and a native plant sale. For more information, go to johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/healthy-yards-and-environment and click on expo.

Shawnee Young Professional group to gather

Shawnee FLEX, Shawnee Chamber’s young professional group, will host a kickoff happy hour at 4 p.m. March 8 at Pathlight Brewing, 11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee. The event will include networking and a preview of upcoming events. Appetizers will be provided. A drink ticket for a free beer will be offered to the first 30 people to arrive.

RSVPs are requested and can be made at shawneekschamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/5677

Merriam looking for Public Art Committee members

The city of Merriam wants to fill openings on its Public Art Committee, which helps determine what and where new art should be located. The committee will meet as needed between 2023 and 2027. Merriam has budgeted $575,000 for the Public Art program. Committee members must be Merriam residents. For more information, go to merriam.org/News/2021/Join-the-City%E2%80%99s-Public-Art-Committee

Gardner hosting cornhole league

Cornhole enthusiasts have until March 19 to register for a spring Cornhole Co-Ed Recreation League coordinated by Gardner Parks and Recreation. Games will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesdays from March 29 to May 3 at Celebration Park, 32501 W. 159th. The cost is $50 a team. There will be a minimum of eight teams, and a maximum of 28 teams, with two to three matches every evening. Twelve matches are guaranteed. The last week will be a tournament. The regular season champions and tournament champions will received awards. To register, go to secure.rec1.com/KS/gardner-ks/catalog

Community Orchestra seeking musicians

The Lenexa Community Orchestra is taking applications to join. The orchestra, which began in 2017 as a program of the Lenexa Arts Council, is made up of volunteer musicians. The orchestra performs free concerts. For information about applying, to go lenexa.com and search community orchestra.

Active shooter training in Lenexa

The Lenexa Police Department is offering a free active shooter response training on March 20. The 75-minute class will teach the most advocated civilian response to an active shooter threat. Registration required. Must be 18 years of age or older. To register, go to lenexa.com and search active trainer response training.