Wednesday, July 25

ESL Conversation Group
The Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library will host and ESL Conversation Group on Wednesday, July 25, 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.

Thursday, July 26

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, July 26 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.

History @ Monument
Join The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City, Inc. for some Kansas City history beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 26 at Ilus Davis Park (north of City Hall). Free Italian sausages and hot dogs will be served at 6 p.m. Program begins at 6:30 p.m., and featured speakers include Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick and Union Station President & CEO George Guastello.

Friday, July 27

Chair Fitness
The North-East Public Library Branch (6000 Wilson Rd.) will host a chair fitness class on Friday, July 27, 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.

Pre-School Storytime – Final Rock Concert
The North-East Public Library Branch invites kids to the branch for the final rock concert of the summer on Friday, July 27, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. There will be stories, singing, and a very special singalong.

Sunday, July 29

The Harvey Girls’ Multicultural Workforce
The Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library will host its next edition of Missouri Valley Sundays on July 29, beginning at 2 p.m. When restaurateur Fred Harvey established his popular Harvey House restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway in the late 1800s, thousands of young women were recruited to staff them. Many “Harvey Girls” came from rural and immigrant families and sought opportunity and adventure. Decades later, the Fred Harvey Company employed African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and other minorities. It was reputable, well-paying work at a time when women had few occupational choices.
Michaeline Chance-Reay, professor emeritus of curriculum and instruction and women studies at Kansas State University, explores the Harvey Girls’ duties and working conditions from their beginnings in the 1880s through the mid-20th century, when increased automobile and air travel led to the closure of many Harvey eateries located along rail lines.

Monday, July 30

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.

World Cafe Session: Woodland
Stop by Woodland Elementary (711 Woodland Ave.) on Monday, July 30, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for a community feedback session with Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Tell Parks and Rec how it can improve facilities and programs; everyone who goes will receive a $10 gift card, and by registering a friend, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card. To register, go to http://kcparks.org/event/world-cafe-session-woodland/.

Tuesday, July 31

Story time at Central Library
Come out to the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Tuesday, July 31 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!

Parks Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Parks Board will on Tuesday, July 31, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the KC Parks Administration building (4600 East 63rd Street Trafficway). The Board of Parks and Recreation holds public meetings twice a month on Tuesday at the Parks and Recreation Department headquarters. All meetings start at 2 p.m. and are open to the public.

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.