Lenexa Town Talk - October 2013

TownTalk An Enchanted evening Oct. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th & Lackman

Lenexa’s Enchanted Forest has something to delight even the smallest Halloween revelers.

For this event, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park will be transformed into the Enchanted Forest, complete with entertainment, pumpkin decorating, inflatables, and some trick-or-treating, too!

October 2013 • Issue 5

Spice up your weekend at the Lenexa Chili Challenge Oct. 18-19, Old Town Lenexa, Santa Fe Trail Dr. & Pflumm

Families are invited to stroll through the park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Oct. 24 (inclement weather date is Oct. 25) and enjoy attractions including Dino O’Dell, Martin City Melodrama, Janie Next Door, Supershots Photobooth, StoneLion Puppets, Joan & Sue’s Music and KC Wolf.

Admission is free. A $3 wristband for children ages 3-12 will be available and will allow the wearer to participate in pumpkin decorating, playtime on the inflatables and a ride on the Enchanted hayride.

For more information, visit www.lenexa.com.

Photo by volunteer Tricia Prann

Enjoy a weekend in bustling Old Town Lenexa, as hundreds of competitors, judges and visitors converge for the annual Lenexa Chili Challenge, sponsored by 94.9 KCMO. This year’s event is Oct. 18-19.

Each year, about 190 teams compete for bragging rights in two divisions: Chili Appreciation Society International (C.A.S.I.) and home style chili. Contestants can also compete for the titles of best salsa and hot wings. Festival goers

will have the opportunity to taste samples of many of the chili entries as they walk through the aisles of tents.

Friday night entertainment includes music, concession vendors and fireworks at 8 p.m. The fun continues Saturday with judging and more music, vendors and children’s activities. Admission both days is free.

For photos and more details about the Lenexa Chili Challenge, visit www.lenexa.com.

Mark your calendar for Sar-Ko Aglow

Dec. 6, 6-7 p.m., Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park Lenexa’s traditional holiday lighting ceremony is coming back this year in a whole new way. Residents are invited to gather at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park on Dec. 6 for Sar-Ko Aglow.

Photo by volunteer photographer Ken Ragan

Bundle up and enjoy a stroll through the park while taking

in the spectacular lights, sipping hot cocoa and listening to carolers. Santa will also be on hand to hear children’s holiday wishes.

Visit www.lenexa.com to learn more.

TownTalk Wildlife in the city Like most cities across the United States, Lenexa provides a limited response when it comes to nuisance wildlife. Residents who encounter sick or injured wildlife creating an immediate public threat, should call Animal Control at 913.477.7385.

Citizens should also contact staff if wildlife is inside the living area of a residence.

For non-threatening injured or orphaned animals, contact Operation Wildlife. Be sure to keep pets and kids away from the animal, do not feed or give water and call OWL at 913.631.6566. More information is available at www.owl-online.org.

Remember, coyotes, foxes and other wildlife can coexist safely near humans. To learn about dealing with wildlife, including healthy animals causing a nuisance, contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at www.kdwpt.state.ks.us.

PD volunteer program receives honors Thanks to the countless hours donated to the city by volunteers in the Lenexa Police Department’s volunteer program, Lenexa will be honored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police at their annual conference on Oct. 20. The LPD volunteer program received honors for the IACP/ Wilmington University Outstanding Achievement in Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs award.

The Lenexa Police volunteer program currently consists of 50 dedicated individuals who perform a variety of functions throughout the city. They work within the Police Department and other city departments to assist with activities, including sign abatement, clerical and technical

support, traffic studies, Municipal Court hosting, warrant solicitation and parking control.

The volunteers are graduates of the Lenexa Police Department Citizens Police Academy. If you are interested in being a LPD volunteer, go to www.lenexa.com to learn more about the Citizens Police Academy.

Lenexa’s artists showcase their varied talents

More information about Lenexa’s Animal Control Unit is online at www.lenexa.com.

Last Dumpster Weekend for 2013 is coming soon The last dumpster weekend of the year in Lenexa is Oct. 19 and 20 and will allow Lenexa residents to dispose of unwanted items not collected in curbside pickup. No hazardous waste will be collected.

Residents may bring their unwanted goods to the Municipal Services Center, 7700 Cottonwood between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Proof of Lenexa residency is required.

Fees ranging from $15 to $40 per load will be collected, with an additional charge for some items.

Residents with questions about the program should call Lenexa’s Municipal Services Department at 913.477.7880.

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Congratulations go to the winners of this year’s Lenexa Artists’ Show: Best of Show: Jason Walker, “The Corn Cob Express,” metal, rubber, LED lights.

First place 3-D: Jennifer Miller, “Cloud Vase,” ceramic.

Second place 3-D: Richard Gilson, “Contemplation on Carburetion,” wood.

First place 2-D: Ron Franzen, “Fishing the Smokey Hills River,” oil.

Second place 2-D: Jake Madel, “Claire

as Venus,” oil on canvas.

First place Photography: Bill Harrison, “Field of Hay”.

People’s Choice Award: Jeannie Pflumm, “Sculptured Friend,” oil on canvas.

The Lenexa Artists’ Show features works by 43 Lenexa residents, who created the 49 pieces in the show. A wide variety of mediums were submitted for this year’s show, including fused glass, nickel-plated bronze, charcoal drawing, watercolor, burlap and paper sculpture.

Discount trees available through partnership Residents looking to replace trees or just spruce up their landscaping will have the opportunity to do so with a discounted tree planting To place an order program through a or learn more partnership between about the program, the City of Lenexa visit www.snskc. and Sticks ‘N Stones com/trees or call Landscaping.

816.616.8958.

The program allows Lenexa residents to purchase hardy trees grown to thrive in Lenexa’s climate and soil conditions for a reduced price of $259 (plus tax) per planted tree.

This cost includes planting, mulching, staking and a one-year replacement warranty.

Trees include: •

Autumn flame maple

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Red sunset maple

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Bald cypress

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Lacebark elm

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Swamp white oak

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Northern red oak

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Clump heritage river birch

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Redbud

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Chanticleer pear

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Prairie fire crab

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Spring snow crab

All trees will be 2-inch caliper size.

Orders will be accepted online through Nov. 15, and trees will be scheduled and planted as dormant plantings between December 2013 and April 2014.

Emerald ash borer spotted in Johnson County The emerald ash borer, a small green pest which destroys all varieties of ash trees, was detected in Kansas in mid-2012 and in Johnson County this summer.

Since 2002, the EAB has killed millions of ash trees in the U.S. Because almost 25 percent of Lenexa street trees are ash trees, the EAB remains a concern.

Since its discovery in Johnson County, the area has been put under quarantine, which prohibits the movement of regulated items out of the area. This includes firewood of all non-coniferous tree species, all ash trees and other material (living, dead, cut or fallen) from ash trees.

The most effective way to stop the EAB is to not move firewood from the area where it is cut. The beetle’s eggs and larvae tunnel into the trees they infest, and cutting a tree into firewood does not kill the bug.

Rather, adult EAB can emerge from the firewood, infesting nearby trees.

If you suspect a tree on your property has been infected by the EAB, call the Kansas Department of Agriculture at 785.862.2180 or e-mail ppwc@kda.ks.gov.

How to spot the EAB Signs of the EAB to look for include: •

Canopy dieback

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Sprouts growing from the roots or trunk of ash trees

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Vertical bark splits exposing S-shaped galleries beneath the bark

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D-shaped exit holes typically 1/8-inch in diameter

Online crime mapping

On Oct. 15, the Lenexa Police Department will transition its online crime mapping tool to RaidsOnline, software which will enhance the city’s ability to track and analyze crimes in and around Lenexa.

The new software will allow address searching, date range filters and 27 different crime categories to make it easy for residents to view the crime information which matters to them most. In addition, residents will be able to create automated neighborhood watch emails, search crime data from previous years and look at analytics – all so they can take action and stay safe.

RaidsOnline also offers new ways to search for sex offender data right within the system.

Lenexa is dedicated to working in partnership with the community, and the transition to RaidsOnline will support this partnership by providing residents the best resources available. A preview of the new system is available prior to Oct. 15 at www.raidsonline.com.

On Oct. 15, Lenexa’s data will be available at www.lenexa.com.

For more information on the EAB, go to www.stopthebeetle.info.

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TownTalk

Lenexa Town Talk is published six times a year by the City of Lenexa for its residents. Please direct questions or comments to the Communications Division by e-mailing communications@lenexa.com.

12350 W. 87th Street Pkwy.

Lenexa, KS 66215

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City Administrator Eric Wade

Mayor Mike Boehm Council Members Ward 1 Joe Karlin Steve Lemons

Ward 3 Amy Slater Lou Serrone

Ward 2 Diane Linver Tom Nolte

Ward 4 Mandy Stuke Andy Huckaba

913.477.7500 www.lenexa.com Sign up for our e-newsletters at www.lenexa.com!

Find Town Talk online by scanning this QR code, or at www.lenexa.com

Use these tips this fall for a healthier yard •

Rake fallen leaves regularly.

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For healthier lawns, mulch mow leaf piles to return nutrients to the ground.

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Use shredded leaves around perennials, trees and shrubs to help the plants retain moisture.

The city reminds residents to keep Lenexa’s water healthy by keeping lawn clippings and leaves out of storm drains and streams.

City director serves on national APWA board Lenexa’s Director of Municipal Services, Chuck Williams, will represent the community on a national level, as he was recently named to the 17-member American Public Works Association Board of Directors. The board leads the 28,600-member organization.

In Lenexa, Williams leads the city’s

Municipal Services Department, which is responsible for the maintenance of existing infrastructure, including streets, stormwater and traffic control facilities.

His staff ensures the streets are cleared during snow events, keeps all city vehicles running, maintains city buildings and oversees the quality of roadways in Lenexa.

City licensing reminders The City of Lenexa offers many types of licenses to businesses and residents. Please take a moment to review these reminders: •

Lenexa’s rental ordinances have recently been updated, and landlords should be aware of the changes. These changes include enhanced enforcement capabilities with the Community Standards Division and a bi-annual inspection of all rental properties. To view the full ordinance, go to www.lenexa.com.

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Renewal notices for many types of licenses in the city, including pet licenses, rental licenses, alarm registrations and business licenses, will be mailed in December. When renewed, licenses are valid from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 each year. For more information, visit the city’s website.