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5 things to do with dad this weekend

by Shelby Brunk

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If you’re looking for things to do with good old dad this weekend, here are five things you can consider:

Kansas City Zoo – “Celebrate Dad’s” with a day at the Kansas City Zoo. Dad’s get free admission on Sunday, June 16. They will also receive a free hot dog and coffee mug with a $15 purchase, while supplies last. INFO: http://bit.ly/11FUvor

Oak Grove Rodeo – The Youth Rodeo Club in Oak Grove, Mo., is hosting a rodeo on Friday and Saturday. Performances start at 8 p.m. Don’t forget your boots! INFO: http://bit.ly/16oxHxF

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Superman: Coming to a church near you

(CNN) — As the new Superman movie takes flight this weekend, filmmakers are hoping the Man of Steel lands not only in theaters, but also in pulpits.

Warner Bros. Studios is aggressively marketing “Man of Steel” to Christian pastors, inviting them to early screenings, creating Father’s Day discussion guides and producing special film trailers that focus on the faith-friendly angles of the movie.

The movie studio even asked a theologian to provide sermon notes for pastors who want to preach about Superman on Sunday. Titled “Jesus: The Original Superhero,” the notes run nine pages.

“How might the story of Superman awaken our passion for the greatest hero who ever lived and died and rose again?” the sermon notes ask.

(Disclaimer: CNN, like Warner Bros., is owned by Time Warner.)

Does Kraft ‘Zesty’ ad go too far?

Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

Courtesy: KRAFT Foods

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new ad promoting Kraft’s Zesty Italian Dressing has a lot of people talking — with one group saying Kraft has gone too far.

The ad features a man practically naked — only being covered by a piece of a picnic blanket.

‘Sesame Street’ tackles parents behind bars

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Around two million children in America have a parent in prison. It’s estimated that a quarter of those kids aren’t even old enough to go to school. Representatives from “Sesame Street” hope a new learning kit will make it easier to discuss the situation with kids.

“The kids just don’t understand mom or dad may have done something wrong. The child doesn’t understand that. The child can’t pick their parents,” said Kimberly Holm, program director for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Each year, the sheriff’s office puts on a toy drive for children who has or had a parent in jail during the year. She knows firsthand how hard it can be on children, especially when they come to visit their parents.

“The biggest challenge for the kids is they don’t get to hug or hold mom or day. All our visitation is done through a glass, and telephone.”

How to help Colo. wildfire victims

(CNN) — As fierce fires continue to rage uncontained, tens of thousands of residents in Colorado are displaced from their homes. Many of them will never be able to return. Fire has devoured their houses. The number of destroyed homes is well into the hundreds and the fire continues to spread. CNN is reporting this is the most destructive fire in Colorado’s history. It is clear that the people of Colorado will need help and that the need will grow until the fire is contained.

CONTINUING COVERAGE from KDVR.com

KC boy throws out first pitch 1,800 miles away

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A thirteen-year-old Kansas City boy is living out a baseball lover’s dream.

Although he is battling a rare blood disorder, he’s throwing out the first pitch of a Major League game.

But, this one is a little different. He’s throwing the ball in Kansas City and it’s being caught in Oakland.

Thirteen-year-old Nick LaGrande is a huge baseball fan. He rooted for the Royals, but after Wednesday night, he is probably going to start following the Oakland A’s.

Nick loves to play baseball, but an extremely rare blood disorder has put him on the bench.

“It’s hard,” he said. “I just wish I could play more.”

His favorite positions are first, third and pitching.

“I like it so much because I get to interact a lot,” Lagrande said.

Keeping your cool starts with maintenance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The hum of a working air conditioning unit is music to the ears of anyone who knows what it’s like to be without it.

Anthony Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has been plenty busy with calls from people saying their A/C isn’t cool enough — or just not working at all.

To keep that from happening to you, technician Kevin Bailey has just one word.

“Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. I can’t stress that enough,” said Bailey. “Just have continual maintenance done. Change the filters. Dirt is one of the number one causes of problems with these units.

Bailey said you should have your cooling and heating system looked at every time the seasons change.

Although dirt might be the number one reason for A/C units to not work, it’s not the only thing technicians find inside the units during repairs.