ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal Area Coalition for Families, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Healthy Blue, the Southwest Guidance Center, Miss Ad Astra and the Communities Organization to Promote Equity is inviting everyone to join them for a healthier community by taking steps to raise awareness and step away from the stigma surrounding mental health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and these organizations are hosting the Mental Health Awareness 5K or 1-Mile Run Walk starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at 1195 N. Kansas Ave.

Organizer Clarissa Carrillo said the event is a reminder for the community and a way for community members to connect with each other.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Work and discussions continue about what to do with the B-24 hangar at the Liberal air field and recently, those discussions took another step forward.

“Last year, we engaged with the Mid-America Air Museum Foundation to enlist LK Architecture and MKEC Engineering to help us with an overall assessment of the Skyhawk hangar,” MAAM Foundation member John Smith said. “They were here before Christmas, and they did a great job taking photos and visiting with us for several hours and putting together an extensive overview of that facility. This report was jointly funded by the City of Liberal and the MAAM Foundation with the intention of providing guidance on how to move forward with the structure. One aspect of the report that should really see some consideration talks about temporary measures of securing the building, and that includes suggestions like repair the exterior walls to eliminate further deterioration, temporarily cover the roof to prevent further weathering and deterioration, have the building checked for hazardous materials, asbestos, lead paints, etc., remediate with a licensed hazardous materials contractor, check out electrical services and repair as necessary to eliminate any fire or short circuit fire hazards, remove all interior walls in the hanger area that are not part of the original building, rebuild the north end of the building to eliminate exposure to wind and rain events, and have a general contractor prepare an estimate of cost prior to authorizing the items covered in this report. Some of the work could be done in-house, but that’s something that would need to be discussed and later approved.”

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

On Fridays throughout the year, Liberal’s Baker Arts Center offers lunch to patrons, and for the month of April, those meals will be cooked by a special chef.

Kaleb Booth, who has cooked at the center in the past, is bringing the heat and the flavor to the Baker kitchen, and Director Misty Martin said she wanted to put a type of art on display which typically does not get a lot of attention.

“Historically when people think of art, they think of paintings, pottery, drawings, and one of my biggest hopes as a whole for Baker Arts for our community is this recognition that art is creativity in any way shape or form,” Martin said. “For me personally, cooking is my way of creating.”

Special to the Leader & Times

Ever wanted an original mural to decorate your home or business? It’s one of the many items to be auctioned off at the High Plains Heritage Foundation’s Spring into Giving Auction Night Saturday, April 25.

Artist Karem Gallo is donating a mural which she will design specifically for the buyer that can be displayed either inside or outside.

The fundraiser for the community foundation will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Marie May Events Center at 104 W. Second St. The live auction will start at 7 p.m. Admission is a free will donation.