Free concert with the 312th Army Band on Dec. 8, 7 pm, at the Lewis & Clark Center, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Father's Day treats

Vendors at River Market Antiques, 115 W 5th St., in Kansas City, MO, are grilling hotdogs to celebrate Father's Day, June 17, from 11 am to 4 pm. Vendors at nearby 600 Central & Associates, LLC, 600 Central, will by offering Dad's Root Beer floats. Mom shops, dad eats.

Lexington, MO Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House in historic Lexington, MO, Nov. 11-13 — decorated stores, homemade cookies and punch, and plenty of discounts, open late until 8 pm on Friday.

Open Houses this weekend

Upcoming Open Houses this weekend, places to get into the holiday mood: Greenwood, MO, Nov. 5 & 12, 10-5, Nov. 6 & 13, 12-5, Preview Night begins at 5 pm, Nov. 4, 816-537-7129; Nostalgic Christmas on Main, Nov. 3-5, 10 am-7 pm, Belton, MO, 816-401-7413; Open House, Nov. 5, Mission Road Antique Mall, Prairie Village, KS 913-341-7577 and Christmas Open House, Bates City Antique Mall, Bates City, MO 816-690-8505, Nov. 4-6.

Free admission to Blue Star museums

The Sam Noble Museum on the University of Oklahoma campus,www.snomnh.org, joins more than 1,300 other museums across the country in offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families through Labor Day. Blue Star Museums is a NEA (National Endowment of the Arts) program. For a list of participating museums, go to www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Summer Furniture Sale

The Jesse James Antique Mall, northwest Missouri's largest antique mall, and its next door neighbor, the Rusty Chandelier, are having a "Summer Furniture Sale." Find great deals on unique pieces in both malls with "vintage" being more the byword at the Rusty Chandelier. For more information, call 816-232-0099 or visit www.JesseJamesAntiqueMall.com or www.RustyChandelier.com.

Help bring back box gutters to historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate!

The roof at the historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific Ave., in Independence, MO, is scheduled to be replaced because of damage it sustained in a hail storm. For a short while, a window of opportunity exists to bring back the box gutters that were original to the house in the early 1900s.

Box gutters can be found on many old and historical buildings. They were the gutter of choice for years before pre-formed metal gutters became widely popular. Box gutters are invisible from the ground.

Time is short to raise the $80,000 needed to accomplish this task. Donations may be mailed to: Bingham-Waggoner Estate, PO Box 1163, Independence, MO, 64051. Donors are asked to specify how they wish their donation to be handled, should the fundraiser not reach its goal. The money can be placed in the endowment fund or returned to the donor.

For more information, contact Site Coordinator Shireen McLaughlin at 816-461-3491 or http://www.bwestate.org.

The effect of flooding

Flooding along the Missouri River and highway improvements have put a little squeeze on Lexington, MO. High water on Historic Byway Hwy. 224 and a bridge replacement on Hwy. 24 has affected traffic routes in getting to the town, at least through mid-August. Highways 224 and 24 were used by folks from Independence, Kansas City and other coming from the west looking to shop in the town's antique and unique shops. For directions on what alternate road to use, go www.VisitLexingtonMo.com.

OK MOZART coming up

There's still time to purchase tickets for the OK MOZART International Music Festival held in Bartlesville at the Community Center with the OK Series at the Rose State Performing Arts Theatre in Oklahoma City, June 10-19. Performing groups include the Amici New York Orchestra, Alloy Orchestra, Turtle Island Quartet, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Hot Club of Cowtown and renowned violinist Joshua Bell. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 918-336-9800 or visit www.okmozart.com.

Toy collectibles show feature dolls, heirlooms

Spend a Sunday in May at the 38th annual Antique and Collectible Toy and Doll Show, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd., in St. Charles, IL.

The show, on May 15, will feature 500 exhibitors showcasing all categories of fine antiques, collectible toys, dolls, playthings and holiday heirlooms. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults; children age 12 and under are free. Free parking.

For more information, visit www.chicagotoys.com or call 773-736-5140.

Allan Houser bronze sculpture exhibit on display at Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens will take a year-long look at modern, contemporary and traditional American Indian arts. The centerpiece is the Gardens’ outdoor sculpture exhibit, Native Roots/Modern Form: Plants, Peoples and the Art of Allan Houser, on view at the Gardens now through November 13.

The show features more than 20 bronze works created by American modernist Allan Houser (Warm Springs Chiricahua Apache, 1914–1994). This pioneering 20th century personality opened doors for future generations of Native artists, and is one of the most important American artists of the 20th Century.

The Gardens also is offering many related exhibitions and programs for adults, families and youth, including guided tours, workshops and a monthly film series highlighting indigenous voices and issues.

For more information, visit www.botanicgardens.org.

Puppetry Arts Institute presents Harry Truman's boyhood story at presidential library

Children can learn about the Missouri farm boy who would grow up to become president of the United States in the puppet show, “Hats Off to Harry!” at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Truman Library, 500 W. US Hwy. 24, Independence, MO.

A make-and-take puppet craft will follow. The event, created in partnership with the acclaimed Puppetry Arts Institute, Independence, MO, is one in a series of “Talkin’ Truman” programs offered on the second Saturday of each month at the library.

Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older, $3 for children ages 6 to 15, and free for children 5 years and younger. Seating is first come, first served.

For more information, visit http://www.trumanlibrary.org or call 816-268-8200 or 1-800-833-1225.

Quilters Guild of GKC hosts annual quilt show

More than 200 quilts are on display at the "Up and Away" 2011 Quilters Guild of Greater Kansas City Quilt Show, TODAY, until 6 pm, at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy, KCKS. Admission is $5.

For more information, visit http://www.quiltguildofgkc.org.

"Southern Reign" performs at 7th Annual Blues, Brew and BBQ and Lansing Daze Celebration

It's not too late to enjoy tasty barbecue and blues at the 7th Annual Blues, Brew and BBQ and Lansing Daze Celebration, now until 4 p.m. today, Saturday, May 7, at the Eisenhower Crossing (intersection of Eisenhower and DeSota Road), in Lansing, KS.

Events include a barbecue contest, barbecue samplings, a car and cycle show, crafts booths, and children's activities. Get your groove on with the band "Southern Reign," who will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.lansing.ks.us.

Leavenworth Main Street Merchants to host downtown Oz-themed street fair

Leavenworth Main Street Merchants will host "Click Your Heels"--a Wizard of Oz-themed event--from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, in downtown Leavenworth, KS.

Visitors can view artists at work, enjoy tastings, meet authors, shop, and play an Oz trivia game. Free game sheets can be picked up at stores displaying "Click Your Heels" posters, Ruby Slippers and red balloons.

The event will kick off the 2011 Kansas Sampler Festival, hosted by Leavenworth County, on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 at Ray Miller Park at the VA Complex.

For more information, visit www.leavenworthmainstreet.com.

HGTV star Vern Yip to visit Kansas City area

Vern Yip, star of HGTV’s popular shows “Deserving Design with Vern Yip” and “Design Star,” will meet and greet residents at I.O. Metro’s two Kansas City area furniture stores on Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5. Yip will make appearances from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Lee's Summit store, 910S NW Blue Parkway, and Thursday at the Zona Rosa store, 8766 NW Prairie View Rd.

Yip will be available for autographs, pictures and design therapy. Attendees will receive 10 percent off one item during the events. He also will offer a 30-minute design class to I.O. Metro VIP customers starting at 6 p.m., prior to each general public event.

One lucky winner each night can get "30 Minutes with Vern." Just drop by the stores anytime before the VIP Events and register to win a 30-minute, one-on-one design consultation with Yip. On the event nights, attendees are invited to bring photos and plenty of questions just in case he draws their name.

Yip's appearance is in conjunction with his newly formed partnership with I.O. Metro. He will be seen in upcoming advertising campaigns for the furniture retailer and will be featured in “Vern’s Picks” throughout the store – items Yip has personally chosen as design must-haves. Headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., I.O. Metro sells eclectic import furniture and accessories in 21 locations across the Midwest. Each store offers a wide range of custom options with free design service.

Learn more about Yip at www.vernyip.com and I.O. Metro at www.io-metro.com or iometro.blogspot.com.

Stinger art featured at Yellow Springs Art Show

DMA cartoonist John Stinger will show his latest painting at the Yellow Springs Art Show in Chester Springs, PA, April 30-May 15.

Stinger, of Stewartsville, NJ, creates "Collecting Classics," a cartoon depicting humorous situations in the antiques and collectibles trade. It runs monthly in Discover Mid-America. His award-winning paintings, primarily in oils, reflect the landscapes of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. To read his bio, visit http://www.stingerfineart.com/about.html.

For more information on the show, visit www.yellowsprings.org.

Fleeting Flea Antiques hosts weekend sale

Check out vintage finds, antiques, garden furnishings, wall art, eclectic artifacts, home accessories and more at the The Fleeting Flea Antiques & More Sale April 29-30, at Round Hill Bath & Tennis Club, 8932 Maple, Overland Park, KS. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 913-486-6204.

Sheriff's dept. issues 4-state wide alert for suspect in thefts at antique malls

The Clinton County (MO) Sheriff's Dept. is attempting to identify a suspect who allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry at a Lathrop, MO, antique mall. The suspect is believed to also have hit other Missouri antique malls in Cass County and Grain Valley, and possibly Callaway County.

According to the department's release, on Friday, April 15, the suspect entered the Enchanted Frog Antique mall and removed one lock from the display case and jimmied the lock on a second case. The suspect made off with $4,500-worth of antique gold and silver jewelry. The suspect was driving a red Chevy Cavalier and was last seen heading east-bound on 116 Hwy. from the scene. License number is unknown.

The suspect appears to be a middle-aged, white man with a slightly receding hairline, dark hair with some gray, wearing glasses. He was wearing a long-sleeve dark blue shirt and a red short-sleeved overshirt, and jeans.

The Sheriff's dept. has issued a four-state wide alert for the suspect. Anyone with information, should contact Sgt. Speiser with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department at 816-539-2156.

Gold & silver thefts at Missouri antique mall

Jewelry, estimated in the thousands, has been reported stolen from the Enchanted Frog Antiques mall, 7950 E. 116 Hwy, in Lathrop, MO.

Joyce Steinbuch, co-owner, estimates that about $4,500-worth of jewelry--mostly rings in sterling or 14k gold, some with good stones--was taken from a dealer's showcase on Friday, April 15.

"He must have had tools on him to get through our three-lock showcase system during open hours," Steinbuch said. "The tape shows that he's monkeying around the locks but you can't see exactly what he's using. You can see his hands full of the merchandise at one point though!"

The Enchanted Frog has a closed-circuit TV security system. Steinbuch filed a report with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. An officer, she said, reviewed several hours of surveillance tapes at her store.

Surveillance tape shows the alleged thief appears to be a middle-aged white man, with brown hair and beard, both with some gray. He was wearing glasses and a long-sleeve blue T-shirt with a short-sleeve red shirt over it. Surveillance tape also shows, Steinbuch said, that the man was driving a red car.