Wednesday, August 1

ESL Conversation Group
The Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library will host and ESL Conversation Group on Wednesday, August 1, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. In class you will learn basic English skills: grammar, listening, speaking, pronunciation, reading, and conversation. No fee or books required. Contact Estelle at 816-560-0135 with questions.

Kidsight vision screening
The Northeast Branch of the Kansas City Public Library will host Kidsight to provide free vision screenings for children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old on Wednesday, August 1, from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. KidSight’s vision screening process can identify vision problems in children as young as 6 months of age using a photo screening device. This state-of-the-art vision screener is hand-held, noninvasive, and painless. It only takes seconds to produce an immediate pass or refer result.
The screenings are offered to youth ranging in age from 6 months to 18 years and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Wil Eisner: the Father of Graphic Novels
The Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library invites Denis Kitchen to discuss his collaborations with late graphic artist Wil Eisner during a presentation on Wednesday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m. Denis Kitchen – himself a comics legend – worked closely with the great Will Eisner for more than 30 years as the late artist’s publisher and agent, and continues to represent his estate. Eisner was a pioneer in the creation of comics during their 1930s and ’40s Golden Age, drawing the iconic crime-fighting hero The Spirit and later giving birth to the graphic novel with A Contract with God. His work is spotlighted in the Library exhibit Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration, 1917-2017.
Kitchen discusses his friend’s life and long and fascinating career in an illustrated presentation designed to appeal to both novices of comic art and hardcore fans.

Thursday, August 2

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.

Drop in tech coach
The Northeast branch of the Kansas City Public Library will bring in a tech coach to assist the public on Thursday, August 2, from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Get answers to questions about Microsoft Word and Excel; the internet; email, formatting a resume and online applications; syncing your smart phone, and so much more.

Summer Food Rocks at Sycamore Groves
Sycamore Groves Apartments (2920 E. 17th St.) is feeding children and teens this summer (ages 1-18) as part of its Summer Food Rocks free summer meal program. From June 3 through August 4, Sycamore Groves will be offering free breakfast (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) and lunch (12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Visit www.health.mo.gov/sfsp for more information.

Friday, August 3

Chair Fitness
The North-East Public Library Branch (6000 Wilson Rd.) will host a chair fitness class on Friday, August 3, 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.

Art Starts at the Library
The next incarnation of the Kansas City Public Library’s First Friday Art Starts at the Library series – hosted at the Central Branch – will be held on Friday, August 3, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The library again provides a perfect family-friendly starting point for your First Friday outing, offering art exhibits, music, munchies, and an all-in-the-family artistic exercise.
On display: the exhibits Noble Synthesis, featuring Tyler Thrasher’s collection of drawings, photos, and alchemical crystallized creations, and Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration, 1917-2017, spotlighting the work of the comics and graphic novel icon.
As part of the city’s Art in the Loop initiative, studio artist and custom jewelry designer Sunyoung Cheong guides children and adults in assembling wood, plastic, foam, and fabric objects into unique wearables and exhibit pieces. Artist David Alpert leads an exercise in writing notes to place in Library books. And Stacey Sharpe conducts a kite decorating workshop in conjunction with her Art in the Loop installation Air Play.
Katlyn Conroy and Nick Carswell provide electronic-infused live music.
Sunday, August 5
Northeast Book Club
The Northeast Branch of the Kansas City Public Library will host its monthly book club on Sunday, August 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in its community room. Come to the North-East Book Group each month to share your passion for books and join in on book discussions. This month, the book club will be discussing The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult.
Monday, August 6
Police Athletic League Back to School Field Day
The Kansas City Police Athletic League will host a free Back to School Field Day on Monday, August 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the PAL Center (1801 White Ave.). Attendees will be provided with school supplies, haircuts, backpacks, sports physicals, pizza, ice cream and more.

Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Meeting
The next meeting of the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association will be on Monday, August 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Kansas City Museum (3218 Gladstone). At the August 6 meeting, the SRNA board will discuss the future of the annual Scare-It Halloween event beyond the 25th anniversary celebration this year.

Tuesday, August 7

Story time at Central Library
Come out to the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Tuesday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for story time. Join the library every Tuesday for stories, songs, and plenty of time for play. The library encourages patrons to talk, sing, read, write and play every day, but Tuesdays are special because parking is free!

National Night Out Block Party
The National Night Out Block Party in Indian Mound will be held on Tuesday, August 7, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. in Budd Park. National Night Out is a community awareness event for local law enforcement across the country. The event at Budd Park will include free food, music, games and other activities for kids. Come on down and enjoy the event.

Upcoming

Police Athletic League Back to School Field Day
The Kansas City Police Athletic League will host a free Back to School Field Day on Monday, August 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the PAL Center (1801 White Ave.). Attendees will be provided with school supplies, haircuts, backpacks, sports physicals, pizza, ice cream and more.