Things I wish I'd known when I first moved to town:

Tagging Your Car (out of state):  You have to go to the police station to get your odometer/VIN verified BEFORE going to the tag agency to get new tags.

Driver's License:  The driver's license bureau is NOT open on Mondays, and is not located near the other "official" city services.  It is located near Centennial & Schilling Roads at 2910 Arnold Avenue (National Guard Armory Bldg./Airport Industrial area), or call 785-825-0321.  Operating hours are: 7:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.  If you already have a Kansas drivers license and need to change your address, you may do so online at:  https://www.kdor.org/dl/default.aspx.

Voter Registration:  You can register to vote when you get your drivers license or call the Saline County Clerk at 785-309-5820.  If you change addresses at the above website for KS drivers licenses, it will automatically update your voter registration.  Additional voter registration information may be found at:  http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration.html along with the voter registration application.

Shopping:  If you want to skip the big chains when looking for groceries, try: Smoky River Meats (215 W. Kirwin Avenue):  it's told that the meat has a great taste, the staff is friendly and helpful...they'll answer questions about the cuts of meat and best cooking methods.  They will cut meat to your specified thickness while you wait.  There is a wide variety of meat, including lamb, buffalo, and turkey.  They also sell homemade pies from Yoder!      Farmer's Market (460 S. Ohio):  located in the parking lot of Earthcare/Waters True Value, this market is open during the summer months, typically May-September.  Hours are 7:30-11am.       Prarieland Market (138 S. 4th Street):  If you like to shop at the farmer's market, this is a great year-round alternative.  This food co-op is open to anyone. They carry local organic & sustainable products. You can also order bulk items.    Braum's:  It's not just an ice cream shop!  You can find fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables here.  There is also a full line of dairy (best milk around!) and bakery products.

Library:  The library requires a form of identification with your new address printed on it, such as a utility bill, in order to get a card.  And for only $10, you can join the "Friends of the Library", getting the all-important 7 day loan for videos, instead of the regular 3 day loan.

Youth Sports:  All grade school sports are run by organizations outside of the schools.  The YMCA sponsors soccer, basketball, gymnastics, football, volleyball, and t-ball.  The Parks & Rec sponsors volleyball, gymnastics, and other team sports.  Knights of Columbus run a baseball league and Salvation Army is known for football.

Parks & Recreation Department:  The City of Salina has a parks & rec department which offers a great variety of programs throughout the year. There are lots of summer activities (from arts to archery, canoeing, and cheerleading) to keep your kids busy!  A catalog is distributed via mail or is available online at www.ci.salina.ks.us (look under departments for parks & rec).

River Festival:  The Smoky Hill River Festival (www.riverfestival.com) is a VERY BIG DEAL to Salinans.  This is a multi-day event (always the 2nd weekend of June) that is dedicated to the arts.  Kickoff is Thursday evening with the Festival Jam.  Friday and Saturday are filled with live bands running concurrently on 3 stages, a children's stage, story-telling stage, children's activity and game area, crafts, and lots of food.  The fine arts section is open Saturday following the 2 and 5 mile races and children's races.  The festival closes Sunday afternoon.  This event is sponsored by the Arts & Humanities Commission and draws about 70,000 people annually.  Discounted buttons are available beforehand at Dillions, Green Lantern, and many banks.

Performing Arts:  Salina has a Community Theater (www.salinatheatre.com), which is different from the Stiefel Theater (www.stiefeltheatre.org) for the Performing Arts.  Both offer season tickets, but also have performances outside of the season ticket package.  Check out the websites, you will be impressed with the variety and quality of shows Salina has to offer!

Movie Theaters:  There is more than one movie theater in town!  The Art Center Cinema (www.salinaartcenter.org) is a part of the Salina Art Center.  A committee selects from a variety of independent and documentary films.  This provides area residents the opportunity to see films that frequently are not available at their local multiplex, with a new film each week screened two or three times daily.  Dickinson Theater has screens at the Central Mall (http://www.dtmovies.com/showtimes.aspx?tid=5).  Hospital employees can buy discounted (matinee priced) tickets through human resources.  The Stiefel Theatre shows classic movies throughout the year on Thursday evenings for $5 (http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/classic_movies.html). 

Art Center:  The Salina Art Center (www.salinaartcenter.org) is celebrating its 25th year as a private, non-profit organization committed to art, artists, and audiences in Salina and across the region. The Art Center has been recognized for its innovative exhibitions and programs, including the permanent Interactive Area for children of all ages.  Check the Parks & Rec guide for upcoming art classes for all ages, especially noteworthy are the expanded summer programs for K-High School.

Post Office:  While the main post office is downtown (5th & Ash), stamps can be purchased from all Dillions grocery stores.  Super Dillions on 9th has a full service post office.

Schools:  Salina Public Schools are also referred to as U.S.D. 305 (www.usd305.com).  Private Schools include: Salina Christian Academy (www.salinachristianacademy.org) which serves preschool through high school, St. Mary's Grade School (http://stmarys.ks.schoolwebpages.com/education/school/school.php?sectionid=2) and Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School (www.sacredheartknights.org).  There is also a preschool associated with the Catholic schools.  Home schoolers have the Smoky Valley Home Educators group (http://www.svhe.com/home.html).

"The City":  Located at 129 N. 7th, this 14,000 square foot, state-of-the-art entertainment venue is only open weekend for middle & high school students (www.thecityonthenet.com).  It was built to offer teens a safe and fun alternative to at-risk behaviors and negative peer pressure.  It houses pool tables, video games, basketball court, dance floor, and movie house.  **It is also available to rent for private parties.  It is a must-see, if you have the opportunity!

Recycling:  There is curb-side recycling run by the City of Salina for a fee.  There is currently a waiting list.  You can also deliver recyclables to "Images" located at 108 S. Fourth (south of Iron on 4th Street, west of the railroad tracks).

Trash Collecting:  If you are unable to haul large items to the landfill, you may call for a large item pickup for a $14 charge.  Also, if you miss the trash collectors, the City of Salina offers one free pickup a year.  Just call and let them know!

Fall Leaf Piles:  Leaves don't have to be bagged in the fall.  The city comes around in the late fall and sucks up the leaves.  Just rake them to the edge of the yard, near the curb or fashion an enclosure.  Watch the newspaper for dates in your neighborhood.

Tree Cost-Share Program:  Trees are a valuable resource to the property owners and citizens of Salina.  To offset the loss of trees and encourage tree planting efforts in our community, the Parks & Recreation Department offers a tree planting cost share program.  For more details on this program, brochures are also available at the Parks & Recreation office, Rm. 100, City-County Building.  If you have questions or would like to participate in this program, please contact the City Forester at 826-7275.

Networking:  Salina Newcomers isn't the only group in town...Young People's Network and the Salina IT Resource group are here for you, too!  Check out more info at:  http://www.salinakansas.org/community/groups.asp.

Things to do for FREE when the kids are stir crazy!

Lakewood Discovery Center:  Exhibits and activities featuring wildlife native to the area, including live snakes and a tarantula.  Lakewood Discovery Center is located in Lakewood Park (east of Ohio between North & Iron Streets) and is surrounded by 99 acres of woods, prairie and lake.  A disc golf course is also located at Lakewood Park.

Indian Rock Located at 1500 Gypsum, this is a great place to hike in a historic area, plus see magnificent views of Salina and the Smoky Hill River.  In the winter, this is a popular place for sledders to gather.  Additionally, if anyone enjoys geocaching there are some great finds in this park.

Spray Parks and Skate Park:  Salina offers many fine parks.  Big playgrounds are at Oakdale, Jerry Ivey, and Sunset.  You will find play equipment throughout city parks, big and small.  Large spray fountains can be found at Jerry Ivey, Centennial, and Hawthorne playgrounds. A skate park is also located at Centennial.  More detailed information about Salina Parks is available at:  http://www.salina-ks.gov/content/126/168/950/211/default.aspx.

YMCA Splash Saturdays:  Every 2nd Saturday of the month, the public is invited to swim at no cost from 1:00-4:30 p.m. Age requirements MUST apply. See www.salinaymca.com for more details.  With a membership (or day pass), the YMCA offers various family swim times throughout the week.

Salina Public Library:  The library has a large and recently remodeled children's department (check out all the murals) and regularly scheduled story times for different age groups.  Schedules are online at:  http://www.salpublib.org/.

Salina Art Center:  Open to the public during gallery hours:  Monday - Saturday 12-5 pm and Sunday 1-5 pm. The ARTery is a free, interactive arts lab dedicated to experimentation and practice with a variety of art materials and techniques. Visitors can choose from a menu of guided artmaking exercises, including activities related to the current exhibition, or simply explore on their own. Gallery attendants are on hand to answer questions, and resource materials are provided alongside an array of art media.  www.salinaartcenter.org

Kansas Fishes Exhibit at Central Mall:  While letting your youngsters play at the indoor play area near the food court, you can view the Kansas Fishes aquarium. It is a unique and educational attraction representative of a living and dynamic Kansas fish community. The largest free-standing tank display in the state, the aquarium features a wide variety of mid-western fishes in a naturalistic setting. The simulated mud bank backdrop and trees from area rivers recreate a typical Kansas water habitat.

Smoky Hill Museum:  While you are learning about the area's history, the kids can enjoy interactive displays featuring a replica of the first dugout home in Salina.   Or explore One Keeper's Place, which houses a lab to solve history's mysteries, puzzles, books, and games.  http://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/

Things to do that COST when the kids are stir crazy!

Rolling Hills Zoo and Museum:  Located just 6 miles west of Salina on I-70, the zoo showcases more than 85 species, many rare and endangered.  The museum is great, rain or shine, to view animal habitats from around the world.  State-of-the-art animatronics narrate stories as you tour the museum.   Also located in the museum, is a domed ADM theater for a 360º virtual 3-D movie experience, the Helen L. Graves Hideaway Hollow education center with hands-on interactive ways to explore and learn about the animals on our planet, and discover what surprises await you in the 2,000 square foot Earl Bane Gallery area. From art shows to robotic bugs, something new is always on exhibit.  http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/

Starlite Skate Center:  Open sessions on Fridays evenings, Saturday, and Sunday. Special skate times for 10 and younger on Saturday mornings.  See http://www.starliteskate-salina.com/ for schedules.

Jumpin' Joe's Family Fun Center:  A large indoor playplace where kids can burn off energy.  There are also concessions, laser tag, video arcade and games, miniature golf and go-cart tracks.  http://www.jumpinjoes.com

All Star Lanes:  624 S. Broadway for family bowling fun (rails available for young kids).  Phone: (785) 827-6730.

Starlite Mini Golf and Games:  Located in Central Mall, near Sears, you and the kids can golf under the black lights and play arcade games and skeeball.  (785) 823-8129.

Kenwood Cove:  Salina's new waterpark opened May 2010.  For more info, visit www.kenwoodcove.com.

Other Pools:  Try out McPherson Water Park (www.ymca-mrc.com) or the Hays Aquatic Park (www.haysrec.org) for .  Lindsborg (http://www.lindsborgcity.org/index.aspx?NID=60) also has a nice pool to cool off in!  See info on Lakeside below for more summer fun!

Lakeside Recreational Park:  Located 10 miles south of Salina and 3 miles off I-135, enjoy a sandy beach, 400 ft water slide, pool, sand volleyball, paintball, basketball, camping, and much more family fun!  Family membership for the summer is $250 or check out their website www.lakesiderec.org for other pricing.

Country Clubs:  Salina Country Club (www.salinacountryclub.com) and the Salina Elks Lodge (www.salinaelks.org) both offer memberships for swimming and other junior programs. 

On The Pot:  You and/or your kids can paint your own masterpiece!  They also offer parties for both kids and adults:  www.paintourpot.com.

there's lots more to do in salina... more to come!