Friday, March 12

Randy Landes, Kansas City finance director, speaks at 7:30 a.m. at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Road. Landes will discuss the city’s financial position. The program also includes updates from 6th District City Council members Cathy Jolly and John Sharp, as well as networking. For information, call 942-3581.

Award-winning author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas presents an evening of singing, clapping, laughing and storytelling during Friday Night Family Fun at 7 p.m. at the Plaza Library, 4801 Main St. De La Casas adapts traditional folklore, adding fun audience participation, song and humor. Admission is free. To R.S.V.P., call 701-3407 or go to www.kclibrary.org.

The Country Club Plaza makes its annual transformation into an Easter Wonderland on March 12. The popular tradition, which began in the 1930s, brings colorful, larger-than-life bunnies and other springtime animals to the Plaza’s courtyards and street corners. The Plaza will be decorated for Easter until April 5.

Saturday, March 13

"Bound for Glory: America in Color," an exhibit of photographs showcasing a vibrant world that has typically been viewed only through black-and-white images, is on display March 13 through June 6 at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The exhibit features work by photographers such as John Bachon, Jack Delano and Marion Post Wolcott on behalf of the Farm Security Administration and the Office of War Information. The photographs provide a rarely seen color perspective on the Great Depression and the build up toward World War II.

Second Saturday Kids Fun Fest is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Blvd. Participants can build their own flat Nikita, the polar bear. Kids Conservation Club meets at 2 p.m. For information, visit www.kansascityzoo.org.

Judy Penner, rosarian and director of Loose Park, presents a free demonstration covering planting, fertilizing, spraying, pruning and removing mulch from winter roses from 10 a.m. to noon at 5200 Pennsylvania Ave. The program also includes hands-on demonstrations in the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden after the lecture and questions in the Garden Center. For information, call 784-5300 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Author Caryn Welles signs copies of her personal memoirs "Hollyhocks on the Fence: Hope blooms among the weeds" at 1 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 420 W. 47th St.

Sunday, March 14

Cellist Matt Haimovitz performs "It’s A String Thing," a benefit concert for the Kansas City String Quartet program, at 3 p.m. at Pembroke Hill’s Centennial Hall, 5121 State Line Road. For tickets, call 235-2700.

Monday, March 15

Toy and Miniature Museum and UMKC’s Women’s Center sponsor "Barbie Nation" at 6:30 p.m. at University Center, UMKC campus, 5000 Holmes Road. The documentary is about America’s obsession with Barbie. A discussion follows; program for ages 18 and older. Admission is free. For information, call 333-9328.

Tuesday, March 16

In the new exhibit "Pitty Patt," artists Garry Noland and Cory Imig interpret language and patterns using a variety of visual media. The artists will discuss their creative process at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The exhibit is on display through March 28. Admission is free.

The Goldenberg Duo presents a free recital at 7:30 p.m. at UMKC’s Performing Arts Center, Room 326, 4949 Cherry St. The duo will perform works by Jean-Marie LeClair, Samuel Barber, Claude Debussy and Ludwig Van Beethoven. For information, call 235-2820 or visit www.umkc.edu.

The next Technology Entrepreneur Speakers Program, presented by Polsinelli Shughart PC, features Shelley Armato, president/owner of Marathan Digital Services, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 700 W. 47th St., Suite 1000. To register, visit www.missouribusiness.net.

Wednesday, March 17

Southtown, Waldo and Brookside business and neighborhood associations host a monthly luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Broadway United Methodist Church, 406 W. 74th St. Guest speaker is Blaise Labbe, KCTV5 news director. Cost is $10 per person; lunch catered by McGonigle’s. To make a reservation by March 16, call 523-5553.

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