City of Olathe News Brief

Council to Consider New Option for Ridgeview and Kansas City Road AreaThe City Council will consider at their January 17 meeting an application to create a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the southeast corner of Kansas City Road and Ridgeview. The proposed TIF district includes the vacant Atmos Energy site and the two single-family residential properties to the south.
City Council will hear a presentation from KC Road Partners, LP, the applicant.

Recycle Cut Christmas Trees and Cardboard through January 31Olathe residents have through January 31 to recycle cut Christmas trees, cardboard and paperboard often associated with toys, electronics and other gift items.
Recycling drop offs are available at Black Bob Park, 14500 W. 151st Street and Prairie Center Park, 555 N. Olathe View Road, for cut Christmas trees, cardboard and paperboard through the end of January. Residents should remove all items from the tree (plastic bags, tinsel, ornaments, etc.) and flatten boxes and remove all non-cardboard items including Styrofoam, packing material, plastic and metal ties before recycling.
A permanent recycling drop off is available in the parking lot of the City's West Santa Fe Building, 200 W. Santa Fe (southwest corner of Kansas Ave. and Poplar St.).
Residents also may dispose of their tree as yard waste for Monday curbside collection in January. Trees must be cut to lengths no longer than 5 feet and be free of decorations or plastic bags.
The City will grind the trees in February and make wood chip mulch available to residents for use in their gardens. To verify wood chip availability or for more information, call 913-971-9311.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tim Talbott, Historic Site Manager, ttalbott@olatheks.org or Alexis Radil, Interpretative Specialist, aradil@olatheks.org - (913) 971-5111
Girl Scouts Learn about Valentine?s Day at Mahaffie?s "Historic Value of Valentines"
Participants will make Valentines to keep or give away at the Jan. 28 program.

Olathe, KS - Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site?s first Girl Scout Valentine program, Historic Value of Valentines, will be Saturday, January 28 from 1 ? 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe building, 100 West Santa Fe.
Girl Scouts ages five to 17 are welcome to participate, where they will learn the historical origins of Valentine?s Day and the meanings of flowers, as well as make Valentines to keep or give to someone.
Each participant will have an opportunity to earn several badges through this program. Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts can earn their Artistic Crafts and Service Project badges; Junior Scouts can earn their My Heritage, Time Travel, and Across Generations badges; and Brownies can earn their Creative Composing Try-It, Caring and Sharing Try-It, and Colors and Shapes Try-It badges.
Girl Scouts ages 12 - 17 can arrive at 1 p.m. for their Valentines and then assist the younger scouts from 2 ? 3 p.m. Girl Scouts ages five -11 can arrive at 2 p.m. for their portion of the program. A variety of Valentines will be available to make and give away. Girl Scouts will be limited to three Valentines each.
Historic Value of Valentines for Girl Scouts is for ages five - 17 and pre-registration is required. The cost is $5 per scout and adults are free.
Participants can register individually or entire troops can register by calling Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop at (913) 971-5111 or email mahaffie@olatheks.org. Registration deadline is Friday, January 27 by 5 p.m.
The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site is operated by the City of Olathe. Open hours, stagecoach operations, living history activities, special events and programs vary seasonally. Access is limited in the winter months and the site is closed all major holidays. Please call or visit our website for current times and dates, http://www.olatheks.org/Admin/News/www.olatheks.org/Visitors/Mahaffie, (913) 971-5111.