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

September 26, 2008

In this issue:		Click here for a printable copy of this issue.
-	The Nature of Art Streamway Park Art Show
-	Second Annual Home Ideas and Renovation Expo
-	Paper Shredding Event
-	SAVE THE DATE: City of Merriam to Conduct Fall Clean-up Campaign October 13th-17th
-	Sidewalk Maintenance

Art and nature lovers should plan to visit Merriam and attend “The Nature of Art” outdoor art show, from noon - 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5. This unique exhibit will feature the works of local artists Mark Manning, Jim Hamil, Valda Hsu, David DeArmond, Tina Blatter, Roberta Hammer, Cathi Freund, Bruce Page, Kaitlin Tearney and Patrick Manning. There is no charge to attend the event.

The exhibit will be arranged along the 1.2 paved and wooded path of the Turkey Creek Streamway Park, from 67th Street to 75th Street in Merriam. Many of the works will be hung in the actual locations in the park that are depicted in the paintings. Most artwork will be for sale.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend as follows:

Saturday, October 4 - Ernie Miller Nature Center from noon-5:00 PM, Accessible Arts African Folk Drumming-3:00-4:00 PM, music by Lou Bartholome and Neal Manning 1:00-5:00 PM.

Sunday, October 5 - Stone Lion Puppets and music by Jerry and Ron Reighard 1:00-3:00 PM.

Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Courtesy carts will be available for those who need assistance traveling the trail. Parking is available at 67th and Knox and 75th Street and West Frontage Road. Concessions will be for sale on both days.

The event is produced by Mark Manning and The City of Merriam Parks and Recreation Department, and is sponsored by: Aristocrat Motors, The City of Merriam, Harvest Graphics, Family Tree Nursery, Integrity Communications, The Hayes Company, Home Vestors, Arbor Masters, Georgetown Pharmacy, HMK Concrete, Nancy Hupp and Merriam Parks, Recreation and Community Center Foundation.

For additional information or directions to the event, call Merriam Parks and Recreation at (913) 322-5550 or visit website at www.merriam.org/parks/Events. For inclement weather information during the event call (913) 322-5591.

On Saturday, October 11th, the City of Merriam will partner with other NE Johnson County cities to sponsor the Second Annual Home Ideas and Renovation Expo at Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The event includes free workshops and a resource expo with booths on topics such as building code requirements, city services, security, home investments, and more.

For more information on this event, click here.

Identity theft and security issues have many residents concerned about appropriate disposal of sensitive financial and personal documents. Shredding materials at home or in a small office can range from a nuisance to an impossible task.

Protect yourself. Gather your outdated records and take them to a shredding event to be (co-sponsored by the City of Merriam) on Friday, October 10th in the parking lot of Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, 6200 Martway in Mission, KS from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.

The first file size box of material to be shredded will be free. Each additional box will cost $5 each. All paper shredding at this event will be recycled!

The City of Merriam will conduct its annual fall clean-up campaign during the week of October 13 through 17, 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
-	Roofing materials, shingles, tar or other chemical sealants (lumber will be accepted if nails and sharp objects are removed)
-	Landscaping timber/railroad ties
-	Tree branches, brush, firewood, leaves, yard waste
-	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 7:00 AM the day of their pickup. Residents should not load items into truck beds, trailers or inside containers they wish to keep.

October 13 -	North of 75th St. and south of 67th; East of Switzer and west of Antioch.
October 14 -	North of 67th and south of Johnson Dr.; East of Switzer and west of Antioch.
October 15 -	North of 67th and south of 54th Terr.; East of Antioch and west of Lowell
October 16 -	North of Johnson Dr. and south of 53rd; West of Antioch and east of Switzer.
October 17 -	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 322-5570.

Clean and clear sidewalks are an important aspect of our quality of life. A clean and beautiful community improves property values and attracts visitors to Merriam.

Merriam property owners are required to maintain the sidewalk on or adjacent to the owner's property in good repair and in a safe, unobstructed condition.

Please help keep Merriam a beautiful and safe place…clean your sidewalks.