Parktoberfest

Parktoberfest, Parkville's own version of Oktoberfest, is rapidly approaching. The event is a fundraiser for English Landing Park Oct. 10, 2009. Volunteers are in great demand. Please let us know if you would like to pitch in. Contact Bill Noble at noblhse@aol.com. Yodeling ability not mandatory.
Sponsored by Parkville Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Parkville's River Jam

14th Annual Parkville Blues/Jazz and Fine Arts River Jam

Parkville, MO-The Parkville Community Development Corporation and all the volunteers of the Blues/Jazz and Fine Arts River Jam planning committee proudly announce the 14^th annual Blues/Jazz and Fine Arts River Jam on June 19^th and 20^th in beautiful English Landing Park, on the banks of the Missouri River in Parkville, MO. In part due to our continued sponsors and our dedicated volunteers this is the longest running blues/jazz festival in the area.

Eight international, national and regionally acclaimed Blues and Jazz bands will perform at this year’s event. Our line-up features Stacy Mitchart from Nashville, Tennessee, world renowned Jazz artist Angela Hagenbach, Roger (Hurricane) Wilson from Atlanta, Georgia, with Levee Town, Harper from Australia, The Sons of Brazil, the Tommy Andrew’s Band, the Rev. Jimmie Bratcher, The Skip Hawkin’s Band and the Parkville Community Band.

Whether decorating a new home or just acquiring that “one of a kind” painting we also showcase a juried art show from approximately 40 regional artists whose work will be on display and for sale throughout the festival. Such artists, many of whom are returning by popular demand, include Glen Garrison, (Wildlife art), Constance Smith, (oil painting & prints), pottery, acrylics, landscapes and portraits by many others. It’s time to support the arts by starting or adding to your collection.

Historical Parkville is the destination to spend the day shopping and dining with a wide variety of shops, including clothing fashions, re-sale, antiques and collectibles, wine, art galleries, home furnishing and even a science store as well as a wide variety of restaurants to satisfy any appetite. Let’s break the mall habit and enjoy the start of summer supporting Parkville. Remember, Parkville is close to home, but far from ordinary.

A special thank-you to our continued sponsors, North Kansas City Hospital, Kansas City Blue’s Society, KKFI FM 90.1, North Kansas City Beverage and the many others to follow.

Friday June 19^th 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday June 20^th Noon to 11:00 p.m.

For more information contact: Linda Arnold/Mario DelCastillo/Karen Montgomery co-chairs call : 816-880-9026, or visit: http://www.parkvilleriverjam.com/.

Posted Earlier:

The Packet (Steamboat) Arabia...152 years ago.

This was posted earlier on another blog and has been very slightly edited:

On September 5th of 1856 (152 years ago) the the Packet (Steamboat) Arabia struck a sycamore snag in the Missouri River and sank at Parkville. No lives were lost except for the mule who later became known as Lawrence. When Arabia and its still intact contents were unearthed from 40-feet down in a farmer's field on the Kansas site of the river by a crew of four local treasure hunters in 1987 no one expected the real treasure that eventually came to light. That treasure has been housed in Kansas City's Treasures of the Arabia Museum in the city's River Market.

The museum is one of Kansas City's jewels but is housed in a woefully inadequate former produce warehouse that has been subjected to a leaks from above and other persistent problems. We've heard the owners of the museum are actively seeking to locate the museum in Parkville. Such a location is logical and will be highly appreciated by the citizens of the town as well as the citizens of Southern Platte County. The Arabia will provide a rare, nearly instantaneous boost to tourism, business investment, economic development, educational opportunities (at all levels including the university level) and civic pride.

What's to be done? Last week, September 5th, several politicians from Parkville and Platte County as well as officials from the county's Economic Development Council, a commercial developer and a municipal bonding agent were present at a meeting as invitees of the Hawley family who owns the museum. It has been reported those in attendance were given a tour of the facility and treated to cake and other refreshments while being allowed to ask questions about how the relocation of the museum to Parkville could be accomplished.

It has been said that the first obstacle to overcome is the location. Isn't it always? Even before the first penny can be raised in earnest, the location must be agreed upon and, at least, options for the site secured. We've heard that the Hawleys have a location, or two, in mind near the current English Landing Park. We suspect that due to restrictions that Park College put on the use of the park itself, that the museum cannot be located within the park proper. Of course, location in the wrong place, in that area, will simply invite the Missouri to revisit the Arabia from time to time with floods. Sites above the flood levels will have to be considered.

We think it would be great to have a solid grass-roots support for the museum's relocation to Parkville. Who will step forward to organize this? What citizens of gravitas will step forward to add their support to this effort? We shall see.