We're pleased to help tell everyone about a new resource created by government of Johnson County!

myResource Connection is a database that contains local resources to help local people in need: everything from where to find food pantries, dental care, job resources, mental health services, affordable housing, and more. You can even map your selections, find bus routes that go nearby, and it'll even help you with your apartment search.

It’s election time again!  If you vote in Johnson County, you have a wealth of information available online about candidates and polling places right here:  www.jocoelection.org .  Sign up for Mobile Election Notification and receive important election news on your phone, pager, PDA or by email.

The Positive Aging Coalition is working to create awareness within Johnson County of the services available to seniors of all ages and their caregivers by providing informational programs on issues relating to positive aging.  Check out the list of Fall programs on their flier here (PDF).

Johnson County is planning its first-ever Energy Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010 in the county's Administration Building, 111 S. Cherry Street, in downtown Olathe. The theme of the 2010 event is “Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet.”

The public event will feature an exposition-style trade show and more than 30 educational seminars designed to provide residential and non-residential building owners the knowledge necessary to make informed energy saving choices.

And best of all, it's free!

The Rain Barrel Parade is a public art exhibition that places rain barrels decorated by local artists across the city to showcase rain barrels’ roles in capturing and recycling rainwater. 

The barrels will be on display at city-owned and Rainscapes partner locations throughout Lenexa from June 1 through July 23. Then, on July 31, all barrels will be displayed together at Waterfest, the city’s annual water festival.  Learn more at www.raintorecreation.org.

2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Overland Park, Kansas City’s youngest suburb.  The Library is hosting a Local History Roundtable on May 24th called “Overland Park: Past, Present and Future.”  Special guests include John Rod, the Manager for Community Planning and Services at the City of Overland Park, Mindi Love, Director of the Johnson County Museum, as well as a speaker from the Overland Park Historical Society.  Learn more and register here: http://www.jocohistory.org/roundtable.

Also, check out "50 Fun Things to Do to Celebrate OP’s Birthday" from the Downtown Overland Park Partnership.

Did you know that Johnson County has a team of people whose purpose is to make sure that your needs are met when you need assistance from Johnson County?

If you have a question about county government, or if you aren’t sure where to go to solve a problem, contact Constituent Services a new initiative of the Board of County Commissioners to make sure the citizens of Johnson County get the services they need. They are also on Facebook – become a fan!

Johnson County Government has created a web site about the upcoming 2010 Census to answer frequently asked questions and highlight the economic and social impact of this American institution. There's even a section for the kids!

Ever wanted to give back to your community but you weren't sure where to start? Visit the Volunteer Center of Johnson County and see what opportunities await you. Their searchable database of openings makes it so easy to find the right match for your interests and skills.

In two upcoming seminars presenters from Johnson County government discuss the challenges posed by the recession and the effects those challenges may have on life in our county:

• Are County Health Services Serving More with Less?
  Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
• How Green is Your County?
  Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
  
  

Johnson County has received over $28 million dollars in economic stimulus funding to date. To learn where that money came from and where it's going, visit recovery.jocogov.org. You may also find of interest federal recovery funding and State of Kansas recovery funding.

Last month we visited the Arboretum. This month beat the heat and head to the 880 acre Kill Creek Park. Kill Creek features a beach, marina, trails, picnic shelters, a dog park and more! 

Looking for something fun and free to do? Visit the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens! The 300-acre site features beautiful gardens, miles of walking trails, gardening classes, an outdoor sculpture exhibit (through Oct. 1) and much more.

Concerned about swine flu? The Johnson County Health Department has local updates and links to reliable information from the Centers for Disease Control and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

On March 31st, Board of County Commissioners Chair Annabeth Surbaugh delivered the 2009 State of the County address to an audience of more than 700 at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park. In her speech, Surbaugh confronts the "dark realities" of these economic times and details some of the actions the leaders of the county are taking to confront these realities. Take a look at the full text of her address.

It's election time! Hard to believe? It's really true – on April 7th a number of Johnson County communities will be electing mayors, city councilors, and board members of local school districts, Johnson County Community College and Water District #1. Make your mark on local politics; visit www.jocoelection.org for a list of candidates and polling locations and vote on April 7th.

The Board of County Commissioners is the legislative branch of Johnson County government. But have you ever wanted to know more about how the Board works? Visit their Web site to:

• find out which commissioner represents your neighborhood
• get information about the Commissioners
• read agendas for upcoming meetings
• view video of County Commission meetings
• read key documents and reports

The results are in!

• Johnson County Election results
• Results with county-by-county maps and other features

The election is almost upon us!  The Johnson County Election Board Web site is a one-stop shop for all your voting-related questions. The voter registration deadline in Johnson County is Oct. 20.; register today! Learn how to vote in advance, find out who's running for office, what other issues will be on your ballot and make sure you're registered.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment maintains vital records on births, deaths, marriages and divorces occurring in Kansas.  To obtain a certified copy of any of these records...

Ever wondered what Johnson County is doing to help the environment? Learn more how the County Environmental Department helps residents with recycling, hazardous household waste disposal, air quality, food safety and restaurant inspections, pollution investigation and more. 

Mark your calendars: Tuesday, August 5th will be an Election Day and a sales tax initiative for public safety is on the ballot. Visit the Johnson County Election Board for more information on polling locations, advanced voting and a sample ballot (available 20 days before the election).

With gasoline at almost $4 a gallon, it may be time to consider catching a ride on Johnson County's bus service: the JO. The JO's Web site, has routes, schedules, a list of park & ride locations and a savings calculator you can use to determine how much you can save by riding the bus.
 
And as the summer heats up, remember that fares on the JO are reduced to 50 cents on bad air days!
 
Happy commuting!

Ever wondered what the other houses on your street might be worth? Or are you thinking of moving to a new neighborhood and you'd like to see the property values in that area?...

Did you know that you don't have to go all the way to Manhattan, Kan. to take advantage of the expertise of the great folks at Kansas State? There's a branch of the University's Research and Extension Office right here in Johnson County, and they offer all kinds of services to residents including classes, publications, and expert assistance by phone and e-mail - even summer camp opportunities for the kids.

Shake the winter blahs with some time outside at a local park...

Ever wanted to learn more about your city?  Check the web...

The Johnson County Directory of Elected Officials provides information on national, state, county, city and township elected officials, district court judges, Community College trustees, etc., including information on elections, such as candidates, political party headquarters and officers etc.

Check the Mid-America Regional Council Public Officials Directory to find the names, addresses, phone and fax numbers for government institutions...

The Kansas Health Statistics Report is published quarterly and provides fascinating reports on health and disease in the local area and state. The latest issue (PDF) even has a summary of the most popular baby names in Kansas for 2006!

Want to learn more about countries like Guatemala or Germany? The Consular Corps of Greater Kansas City is a great local resource to expand your horizons. You can contact a local representative of 27 nations to learn more about the history, culture, custom, government, travel and trade of their respective countries.

The JO provides public transportaion services to much of Johnson County,
downtown Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan. Take a look at fares, schedules and details about their door-to-door program for the disabled.