Wednesday, February 21

Substance abuse recovery
A substance abuse recovery meeting will take place at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at New Beginning Apostolic Church. Contact Frederick Wilson (816-786-1981) for more information.

Suiting Up: Tailored Menswear in KC, 1900-2017
The Kansas City Museum at the Historic Garment District Museum (800 Broadway) has opened a new exhibit focusing on historical menswear. The Suiting Up: Tailored Menswear in Kansas City, 1900-2017 exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays until February 24. The exhibit explores the history and evolution of tailored menswear in Kansas City from the 20th century to the present, and highlights some of Kansas City’s gentlemen of style throughout the last century. The cost to view the special exhibit is $5.

Thursday, February 22

Mattie Rhodes Center health clinic
The Northeast location of the Mattie Rhodes Center (148 N. Topping) opens its evening health clinic, named La Clinica, every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. No appointments needed, but care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Friday, February 23 

Chair Fitness
The North-East Public Library Branch (6000 Wilson Rd.) will host a chair fitness class on Friday, February 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. No matter what your limitations, you can still reap the physical, mental and emotional benefits of exercise. This class is designed to offer a total body workout. Cardio, strength and flexibility exercises are all performed from a seated position.

Saturday, February 24

Share your thoughts on the KCMO fiscal year budget
Kansas City residents are encouraged to attend KCMO budget input sessions throughout the city over the next several weeks. The closest session to the Historic Northeast will be held on Saturday, February 24th, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Guadelupe Centers (Pre-K/Elementary Schools) Auditorium, at 5123 E. Truman Rd. Additionally, citizens can express their thoughts through an “online town hall” forum at KCMomentum.com. This option is available 24/7, and feedback left in this format will be shared with the City Council.

The Art of My Life exhibit
A free new exhibit, entitled ‘The Art of My Life,’ (Inspiring artwork from an African American Perspective) is now on display at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & Museum (3700 Blue Parkway). The exhibit will be on display through March of 2018.

Monday, February 26

Citizenship Interview Practice
Do you or someone you know need help with a naturalization interview? Head out to the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Monday, February 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for free assistance. Drop-ins welcome, no appointment necessary. Volunteers are available to help you practice: speaking English (eligibility interview based on N-400 form), reading English (correctly read one out of three Naturalization Test sentences), writing English (correctly write one out of three Naturalization Test sentences), answering civics questions (correctly answer six out of ten randomly chosen USCIS questions), and much more.

Tuesday, February 27

Graphic Novel Book Club
Head out to the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library for story time on Tuesday, February 27, from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Join the library each Tuesday on the Children’s floor for stories, crafts and a lot of imagination. Graphic novel fans (ages 7-15) enjoy meeting up with each other to talk about books, as well as to get first hand illustrative instruction on how to create, design and illustrate your own comics. Parking is free.

Free Tax Prep at Central Library
Come out to the Northeast Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Tuesday, February 27, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for help with tax preparation. Representatives from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will be on hand to assist with your federal and state (MO and KS) income tax returns. This service is for walk-ins only, and is available to individuals making $60,000 per year or less. Please bring the following items:
-Proof of identification (photo ID)
-Social Security cards or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents (Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN)
-Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents
-Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc)
-Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
-All 1095 Forms, Health Insurance Statements Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
-A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
-Direct deposit and/or banking information
-Proof of daycare expenses with provider name, address and ID number
-Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable
To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Upcoming

Truman and the Pendergast political machine
Stop by the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Wednesday, February 28, beginning at 6:30 p.m. to learn more about Harry Truman’s connection to the Pendergast political machine. Truman was troubled by the graft and corruption, to be sure, but also acknowledged, “I am obligated to the Big Boss. … He in times past owned a bawdy house, a saloon and gambling establishment, but he’s all man. I wonder who’s worth more in the sight of the Lord?”

Historian Jon Taylor of the University of Central Missouri examines the most consequential political marriage in our city’s and state’s history, drawing from an article he has written for the Library’s new historical website The Pendergast Years (pendergastkc.org). The site spotlights the era of the 1920s and ’30s that saw KC both flourish and struggle with the complications of bossism.
Reserve spots today at 555 Olive after-school arts program

The Mattie Rhodes Center is bringing its Westside after-school arts program to the Olive Center (555 Olive) in Pendleton Heights. It is a one-per-week experience for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade and you can choose your day — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. It’s open to children in Pendleton Heights and is free of charge. Registration is now open and is first-come, first served. To register, contact Trish Brashears at trish.brashears@uwgkc.org or 816-
559-4678.