Chill factor: Sign up for the Polar Plunge and help out Special Olympics Kansas

Get yourself ready to take the plunge in Lake Olathe for Special Olympics Kansas.

The nonprofit will be holding its Polar Plunge and 5K Strut at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively, on Feb. 18. For registration, go to charity.pledgeit.org/PolarPlungeKansasCityKansas.

Entry fee for the plunge is $75 and $30 for the strut. Participants can create their own fundraising webpage when registering. Money raised goes to help more than 4,500 Kansas athletes with intellectual disabilities.

New this year: a Chili Cook Off and after-party at noon at the Eagles Landing venue. Plungers and strutters get in free. Family and fans are $5. Chili cooking team registration fee is $50. Register through an option on the main Polar Plunge registration link.

For more information, contact Chris Burt at burtc@soks.org or 913-236-9290, ext. 107.

Lenexa fitness check up coming up

A free community event can help those 18 and older check on that New Year’s resolution of getting fit. Certified personal trainers will be available from 6 to 8 p.m.Feb. 7 to check weight and body fat percent; perform sit-up tests, push-up tests and plank tests; and take 40-yard dash time. No membership required or RSVP needed. The check ups will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The center is located at 17201 W. 87th St.Parkway, Lenexa.

Housing coordinator named in JoCo

Megan Foreman has been appointed to the newly created housing coordinator position in Johnson County. The county said Foreman’s focus will be on addressing homelessness, preserving existing housing, and developing attainable housing, and promoting home-ownership.

“We are excited about the possibilities of this position,” County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson said in a prepared statement. “Hiring Megan Foreman as housing coordinator allows Johnson County to address the need for housing opportunities for all populations within the county.”

Foreman began her career with Johnson County Government in 2015 with the Department of Health and Environment where she was a program manager in the community health division. Prior to that, Foreman worked for Oral Health Kansas as policy director.

PV Arbor Day honoree nominations

The Prairie Village Tree Board is accepting nominations for this year’s Arbor Day Honoree. The award recognizes efforts and contributions to Prairie Village. Nominees may be living or deceased individuals or couples. Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 28. For a nomination form, go to www.pvkansas.com/treeboard.

Legislative coffees coming up

A series of legislative coffees will take place in Johnson County. The coffees are designed to offer a discussion about the new legislative session, and will include a question-and-answer session. Registration is not required to participate in-person. Registration is needed for online participation and to view the participants. All events begin at 10 a.m. and include live streaming. Event recordings will be posted to YouTube after each event.

On Feb. 11: Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park. For online registration, go to jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/639360070470e64100b32935.

On Feb. 18: Lenexa City Center Library, 878 Penrose Lane, Lenexa. For online registration, go to jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6393603a0470e64100b3293a.

On March 11, Gardner Library, 137 E. Shawnee St., Gardner. For online registration, go to

jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/639360570470e64100b3293c.

Shawnee, Lenexa hold State of the City events

Shawnee Mayor Michelle Distler will present the State of the City on Feb. 23 at the Aztec Shawnee Theater, 11119 Johnson Drive. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the presentation will start at 5 p.m. The presentation is free. If you want to take part in the hors d’oeuvres, register at business.shawnee-ks.com/events/details/state-of-the-city-with-mayor-michelle-distler-5626

Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm will give his State of the City speech during the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon at 11:30 a.m.Feb. 15 at the Hyatt Place and Lenexa Conference Center, 8741 Rycker St. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11:50 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and the speech will begin at 12:15 p.m. To reserve tickets, call the chamber at 913-888-1414. Attending the speech is free. Lunch is $50.

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