e-Merriam Udates...Your Source for Civic News!

April 11, 2008

In this issue:
-	Merriam's Spring Clean-up Campaign Kicks Off Next Week
-	Merriam Farmers' Market Returns May 3rd
-	Deadline Approaching for Merriam's Franchise Fee Rebate Program
-	Merriam's Annual Turkey Creek Festival Takes Place May 17th
-	Mayor Wilkes Receives Service Award

The City of Merriam will conduct the spring clean-up campaign during the week of April 14 through 18, 2008. Large items such as furniture, appliances, lumber and other building material, and miscellaneous large items are to be put curbside on the scheduled pickup day.

These items will NOT be picked up:
-	Routine trash (goes to local trash service)
-	Concrete, asphalt, cinder blocks, or rocks
-	Tree branches, brush, firewood, leaves (however, lumber/building materials will be accepted)
-	Paint cans, chemicals, tires, motor oil, brake fluid, gas/gas tanks, diesel fuel, pesticides, etc.

A one-time pickup in scheduled areas will occur as outlined below. Residents must have their items curbside before 7a.m. the day of their pickup. Residents should not load items into truck beds, trailers or inside containers they wish to keep.

Mon, April 14 -	North of 75th St. and south of 67th; East of Switzer and west of Antioch.
Tues, April 15 -	North of 67th and south of Johnson Dr.; East of Switzer and west of Antioch.
Wed, April 16 -	North of 67th and south of 54th Terr.; East of Antioch and west of Lowell
Thurs, April 17 -	North of Johnson Dr. and south of 53rd; West of Antioch and east of Switzer.
Fri, April 18 -	North of 53rd and south of 47th; West of Antioch and east of Switzer.

Senior citizen and residents with disabilities, can call the public works department at 322-5570 to be placed on a list of citizens needing assistance in removal of large items from the home or yard.

For additional information call the Merriam Public Works Department at 913-322-5570.

The Merriam Parks and Recreation Department Farmers' Market will open it’s doors for the 2008 season starting on Saturday, May 3rd, from 7am-1pm. The first 200 patrons who visit the marketplace that day will receive a cloth Farmers’ Market tote bag to carry their produce and more.

Currently 24 of the 36 stalls at the marketplace are sold. For more information regarding the Merriam Marketplace, contact the Merriam Parks and Recreation Department at 913-322-5550 or visit our web site at www.merriam.org/park/Marketplace

The City of Merriam is accepting applications for the franchise fee rebate program. This program provides Merriam families, whose income falls within the limits established by HUD, the opportunity to apply for a refund of the franchise fees paid on electricity, gas and telephone bills during 2007.

Franchise fees collected from utility companies are refunded to eligible low-to-moderate income households. This fee rebate program is a city-funded project, implemented by Mayor Wilkes and the Merriam City Council. This year will mark the 26th year that this program has been offered to Merriam residents. To qualify, residents must meet the following HUD maximum income limits:

1 person	$23,950
2 person	$27,350
3 person	$30,800
4 person	$34,200
5 person	$36,950
6 person	$39,650
7 person	$42,400
8 person	$45,150

For example, a family that averages $200 per month on utilities could receive approximately $120 per year in utility fee refunds.

Those wishing to participate should contact the Community Development Department at (913) 322-5520 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to request an application form. Applications must be accompanied by gas, electric and telephone receipts, along with proof of income. For proof of income, residents can provide their 2007 W-2 or income tax forms, or social security papers. Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2008.

Summertime fun returns...Saturday, May 17, 2008! Mark your calendars for this annual Merriam event! All activities (except 5K Run) take place at Antioch Park (6501 Antioch Road). The day is filled with fun events for everyone to enjoy. Choose from the many activities listed below:

Schedule of Events:
7:00-11:00am	Pancake Feed at Antioch Park (Shelter #1) sponsored by Merriam-Shawnee Noon Lions Club - tickets available at the door: Adults $5; Children 12 & under $3
8:00am	5K "One Hill of a Run" (Irene B. French Community Center) - Sanctioned by Mid-America Running Association, as a Grand Prix Race, proceeds benefit Merriam Parks, Recreation, and Community Center Foundation. Runners and walkers receive T-shirt, post race refreshments, goody bag. Fee: $20.00 (after May 14th $25.00), $5.00 (after May 14th $7.00) for youth sprints, corporate teams $70.00 (after May 14th $75.00). Register at Irene B. French Community Center, online at www.active.com or call (913) 322-5550 to request an application. For details visit our website.
11:00am - noon	Festival Parade - "Merriam, A Community Growing Together" - traveling north on Antioch Road from 69th to 64th Terrace, featuring: 2008 Grand Marshal Johnny and Maurice Pieters, floats, drill teams, dancers, clowns, antique cars, and a host of the ever popular Abdallah Shrine parade units. Great viewing spots along Antioch Road.
10:00am - 5:00pm	Activities in Antioch Park - The ARTS ZONE- “Summertime Arts and Crafts Sale” regional artisans displaying their original creations including: stained glass, baskets, pottery, photography, jewelry, woodworking, wearable art, and garden art. Kansas City Kite Club will be displaying some static kite displays. The KIDS ZONE- On-going CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES (most are FREE) “Build a birdhouse or picture frame" clinic sponsored by Merriam’s Home Depot store, little red train ride, pony rides, exotic petting zoo, moon walk, 23' double inflatable slide, an obstacle course, a roving magician and a balloon artist and caricaturist, and pedal boat rides sponsored by the Merriam Kiwanis Club. New this year, USA Jr. Olympic skills competition in basketball, soccer, tennis & track (1pm-3pm)

FREE CONCERTS! From noon to 5:00pm enjoy the sounds of these local artists at various locations in the park:
noon - 2:00pm	"Project Chameleon" (Main stage Shelter #4)
noon - 2:00pm	"Homebrue Band" (Fire Pit Stage)
3:00 - 5:00pm	"Pastense" (Main Stage Shelter #4)
The Food Zone - Good things to eat... 11 concession booths featuring new and different delectable treats, such as gyros, pitas, quesadillas, brats, kettle corn, strawberry shortcake, and old favorites such as: turkey legs, lemonade, hot dogs, cotton candy and funnel cakes. You won’t go away hungry!.over 90 arts & craft vendors, roving entertainers & concessions!
2008 Summertime Turkey Creek Festival Arts & Crafts Show: The Summertime Arts & Craft show is a program of JCPRD in conjunction with the City of Merriam's Turkey Creek Festival. The Arts & Craft show is a fun filled day with festival events in addition to the Arts & Craft Show include a pancake breakfast, parade, children's activities and live music. Vendors of handmade craft items are invited to join our show. No commercial products, food, resale items or flea market articles, please. View the Turkey Creek Festival downloadable info or register on-line via JCPRD.com Activities web catalog page. For more information: contact Marsha Norman at (913) 631-7050, ext. 443 or e-mail her at info@jcprd.com.

THE TURKEY CREEK FESTIVAL IS PRODUCED BY THE CITY OF MERRIAM, KS.
For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 913-322-5550 or visit their website at www.merriam.org/park.

Congratulations to Mayor Carl Wilkes who, in a special ceremony to take place tonight (April 11, 2008), will be honored by The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. Wilkes will be presented the "Service Above & Beyond" award by the church for the significant contributions made to our community.