JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. -- Staff reductions due to Johnson County government’s voluntary retirement incentive program prompted the Johnson County Library Board to review the hours of operation for the 12 Johnson County neighborhood libraries and the Central Resource Library at its regular board meeting held on December 21.

Due to staffing shortages, the board voted to reduce hours effective January 3, 2012.  The Leawood, Oak Park and Lackman Neighborhood Libraries will no longer be open on Sundays. The Cedar Roe Neighborhood Library will no longer be open on Fridays and will be open only from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.  All library locations, including the Central Resource Library, will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The DeSoto and Spring Hill Neighborhood Libraries will open at 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays, rather than at 10:00 a.m.

OVERLAND PARK, KS (September 27, 2011) – The residents of Tallgrass Creek retirement community – like many people -- mourned this month’s closing of Borders book stores. However, these lifelong book lovers today refuse to let the closing disrupt their daily  routine: there are far too many novels, poems and essays to read and discuss.

A group of women at Tallgrass Creek formed the campus book club several years ago. Their book club is now thriving with an array of book discussions and events.

Judy Turner, one of  the book club leaders, says the group reads everything from classics like Gustav Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary” and George Orwell’s “1984” to newer novels like “Comfort Food,” a story about a cooking show host’s relationship with her adult daughters. Each month, a different member takes a turn choosing the book and leading the group’s discussion.

The Johnson County Community College board of trustees approved the naming of a sculpture park in front of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art for Marti and Hamilton G. (Tony) Oppenheimer. The park naming is in recognition of a recent pledge of $100,000 to JCCC.

Tony Oppenheimer, a senior vice-president and private client adviser responsible for business development for U.S. Trust, Bank of America in Los Angeles, and his wife, Marti, a jewelry designer, maintain residences in both LA and Kansas City. They have a long history of philanthropy and community involvement in both cities.