U.S. Representative Jim Ryun (R-KS) announced House passage of the Freedom’s Frontier Heritage Area on Tuesday, July 25, 2006. The language, originally authored and introduced by Ryun as the Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area, was approved as part of a larger bill, S. 203, the National Heritage Areas Act.

If enacted, the legislation would establish a national heritage area in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. Twenty-nine Kansas counties and 12 Missouri counties have participated and are included in the legislation.

“House passage of the Freedom’s Frontier Heritage Area marks a major milestone after years of hard work on the grassroots level,” said Ryun. “Countless individuals across the Second District have worked tirelessly to bring this piece of legislation to fruition, and I am grateful to each of them.” Ryun continued, “The Freedom’s Frontier Heritage Area will be pivotal in telling the stories of one of the most critical periods in our nation’s history. These are stories worth telling, and worth preserving, for our children and our grandchildren, and will benefit many generations to come.”

Gentlemen...and ladies, start your engines -- or register for your chance to win one! The annual Turkey Creek Car & Motorcycle Show will be hosted once again at the beautiful Merriam Marketplace pavillion, 5740 Merriam Drive. The event will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2006 from 10 am - 4 pm. Registration is $20 per entry ($25 on event day).

Come on out and enjoy a fun day of cool cars and motorcycles, prize drawings, food, great music and your chance to win a 350 Chevy Engine (registered entrants only).

For more information or to register, please call the Irene B. French Community Center at 913-322-5550.

At Your Service...Encourage guest feedback via in-room surveys or front-desk surprise surveys with a special gift for participation (reduced room rate, complimentary valet, etc.) Statistics indicate that guests who complain when they are unhappy will do business with the company again, if the issue is well handled. Another great give-away offer right now is a gas card since filling up the gas tank is quite costly these days!

The Merriam Visitors Bureau is now accepting applications for volunteers! If you have a desire to share Merriam's information with visitors, provide directions and referrals, conduct site tours and help with basic administration, we invite you to submit an application for the position of "Visitor Services Volunteer."

The Merriam Visitors Bureau will also be hosting a booth the annual Volunteer fair at Metcalf South Mall (level 2) on Tuesday, August 29 from 4-7 p.m. Stop by to learn more about this volunteer opportunity and how you can be involved with tourism in Merriam.

The "Visitor Services Volunteer" position description and application are now online---click here to download. Once your application is reviewed, it will be followed by a personal interview, orientation and reference/background check. Once assigned, you'll be on your way to serving Merriam guests and visitors as our "Director of First Impressions."

If you are interested in receiving a volunteer information packet or have any questions, please contact Karen at 913-403-8999 or email karenc@exploremerriam.com