seveneightfive » seveneightfive exclusive

LOUDsoftLOUDwinter

rio — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:08:36 +0000

On a Friday night last November, over 100 people stopped in at the Boobie Trap, at 6th + Washburn to look at and listen to eight regional and musical acts as they took their turns on stage for the inaugural LOUDsoftLOUD live event. seveneightfive was there, and we were very impressed with the turn out and the talent of the night.

If you regret missing it, (and if you weren’t there, you should regret it) you have another chance. Chris Aytes (of Chris Aytes & the Good Ambition) has scheduled a winter edition of LOUDsoftLOUD for Friday, February 17, downstairs at the Kansan Grill, 705 S Kansas Avenue, beginning at 8p.

According to Chris, “The goal is to feature the local and regional music talent, and also the venues where these performances can take place. Topeka has all the makings for a great music scene.”

The line-up for LOUDsoftLOUD winter includes Jeff Toda, Joey Desch, Aaron Lee Martin (Wichita), Valenteen Green, Interior Sea, and Chris Aytes & the Good Ambition.

The cover charge for this all-ages show is $5, with a discount for high school and college students with their school identification.

[Story by Rio Cervantes-Reed | Original image submitted by Chris Aytes]

bud light goes platinum

rio — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:01:10 +0000

Your first hint that Bud Light Platinum is different than regular Bud Light is the brilliant blue bottle. Your second hint… well, there is no second hint. Our blind taste test didn’t find any taste difference between BL and the Platinum version. So why bother switching? What if I told you the alcohol content is higher? Oh, got your attention there. Bud Light Platinum’s Alcohol by Volume is 6%, where as Bud Light’s ABV is 4.2% (Budweiser is 5%). If you are a regular light beer drinker, you can still enjoy the crisp freshness of a Bud Light with Bud Light Platinum. And as always, please drink responsibly. Bud Light Platinum will be debuting at your liquor stores and bars just in time for the Super Bowl. [National sales begin Monday, January 30. Look for your cool seveneightfive bars to carry this come Superbowl time.]

[Story by Kevin Reed | Image submitted ]

waiting room project @ tscpl

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:56:36 +0000

Women’s Health Issues Depicted in Unique Fashion Art Exhibit and Theatrical Performances Offer Strength, Support

The Waiting Room: Lost and Found, an interactive installation examining women’s health, opens Friday, January 13 at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.

The entire project is the result of collaboration by Marguerite Perret, Bruce Scherting, Stephanie Lanter and Robin Lasser, with artists and communities nationally. Artists will be on hand to answer questions during the opening reception from 5:30-8:30pm. Occurring throughout the opening reception will also be the ambient performance, Measuring Time in the Waiting Room, directed by Sharon Sullivan.

Visitors can also enjoy Tick Tock, an original one-act play by Marcia Cebulska, which follows a group of women in a medical waiting room as they move from solitary anxious boredom to exuberant song and dance. Performances are scheduled for Friday, January 13 at 6:00pm and 7:00pm and Saturday, January 4 at 11:30am.

An artists’ talk on January 14 at 3:00pm will provide another opportunity to discuss the project and corollary book, A Waiting Room of Her Own, with editor Sarah Smarsh.

In the exhibit, visitors will view distinct sculptural chairs that serve as symbols for a particular health issue, from bulimia to domestic violence.

“The artwork will spark a dialogue about and compassion for individuals affected by disease or by domestic violence,” said Sherry Best, Sabatini Gallery director. “Each chair has a story to listen to either from a patient’s or caregiver’s perspective – sometimes both. Expect to spend some time with the exhibit or plan return visits because there is so much to see and hear.”

Visitors are invited to sit adjacent to each sculptural chair on a ‘blank,’ unaltered chair, where they can listen to recorded interview excerpts and sound compositions that provide intimate and expanded perspectives for each health issue. Visitors will also have the opportunity to interact with the Gut Reaction Chair by describing their most guilty food indulgences by writing them on bakery papers and candy wrappers.

Interactive elements inside the installation include the Waking Wall in which visitors can leave messages describing experiences with domestic violence and/or supplies for families residing at the local women’s shelter. A collection of Milagros/ex-votos created by artists and community members will be on view in the library rotunda. Contributors to the display include Washburn students across disciplines and professional artists.

A Milagros Workshop organized by Marguerite Perret and Stephanie Lanter will be held Saturday, February 27 at 3pm in Marvin Auditorium. Participants will have the opportunity to create one or more Milagros, or exvotos, to keep or contribute to the project. Milagros means “miracle” in Spanish.

The exhibit ends March 16. For more information about this project, visit The Waiting Room website or the Library’s exhibition webpage. And, get updates on The Waiting Room Facebook page.

Principle installation artists are project leader Marguerite Perret, mixed media installation artist, designer, and associate professor of art and design at Washburn University, Topeka; Bruce Scherting, director of exhibits at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute Natural History Museum, Lawrence; Stephanie Lanter, ceramic and fiber sculptor, writer and instructor, Emporia State University; and Robin Lasser, installation artist, photographer, & sound artist, art professor at San Jose State University, Oakland, CA.

Financial and other essential support for this project is through private donations, the artists and partners, Washburn University, the Center for Kansas Studies, The Washburn University Department of English, the Mabee Library, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Kansas Arts Commission, the University of Saint Catherine, The Ragdale Foundation, The Salina Art Center, and The Topeka YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training. Gallery hours are the same as library hours: Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.

[Submitted by Lisa Coble-Krings, Communications Editor, Topeka-Shawnee Co. Public Library]

5Q: Two Blue

rio — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:24:24 +0000

The following interview by Tommy Anderson originally appeared in the December 1, 2011 issue of seveneightfive magazine. With the upcoming International Blues Festival, held January 31 through February 4 in Memphis, we wanted to share this with you and encourage you to root for Two Blue, who will perform in the solo/duo category.

Two Blue, a side project of “Josh Vowell & the Rumble” is comprised of frontman Josh Vowell and harp extraordinaire Justin Shelton. The duo joined together to perform in the Topeka Blues Society competition, where the finalists compete at the International Blues Competition in Memphis. Josh and Justin will travel there in February.

1Q: If you could add any musician to your duo, who would it be?
Justin: Go online and look up the most ridiculously crazy Cajun box drummer, and that’s who I would add.
Josh: Cool sexy chick singer with a good defined voice like Samantha Fish, Bessie Smith, or Aretha Franklin.

2Q: What makes your band unique?
Josh: We were able to grow up with our generation’s music and take it back to the blues. We’ve combined the new-aged ideology of our generation with the blues ideology of the late 19th century.
Justin: We both have back grounds in heavy metal and I think that brings a lot, rhythmically, to the table.

3Q: What are the advantages/disadvantages of being a duo as opposed to a full-sized band?
Josh: There’s no rhythm section so it requires us to be on our toes but you don’t have to set up all the chords, drums, and extra instruments.
Justin: A duo doesn’t have the variety that a full sized band would have but it’s still fresh and produces a butterfly effect on the stomach.

4Q: What is the most palm-head-worthy moment of the duo’s musical career?
Justin: Showing up in Kansas City to perform and realizing all of the harmonicas have been left at home.

5Q: What bands or musicians have inspired or influenced your music?
Justin: John Nemeth, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sean Costello, and Tab Benoit.
Josh: Son House, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sean Costello.

Bonus question: What is your biggest message to the public?
Two Blue: Get out and support live music. There are too many forms of entertainment that are taking away from the majesty that is music.

[ story by Tommy Anderson| photo by Colin McMillan | Nathan Ham Photography ]

your 785 new year’s eve guide

rio — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:41:01 +0000

2011 is flying by faster that we can stockpile champagne! seveneightfive is going to help you plan your New Year’s Eve to welcome 2012 properly. Whether your style is easing into the New Year with some chill music and cold martinis, celebrating con familia and dancing to Tejano, crying into your Jack while listening to some blues, enjoying a show, or kicking out the old year with major jams and booty-shaking, we’ve got you covered!

Welcome the end of the year a day early with the following New Year’s Eve EVE Parties, December 30:

Boobie Trap | Live music by Interior Sea, The Slow Fade and Appropriate Grammar | 9p

Lazy Toad | Live music by Mary Goes Round | 9p

Break Room | 911 S. Kansas Avenue | Diva’s New Years Eve Extravaganza! | Doors open at 9p, show starts at 10:30p | Reservations only, click here to purchase your tickets securely on-line.

Chatterbox Tavern | 2121 SE 6th Avenue | Rockin’ NYE Party with Simply Driven | $15 per person, includes dinner 6p-9p + champagne toast at midnight | Call Darrell or Kim, 785-207-7260 or stop in for more information and to reserve your seats.

College Hill + Dutch Goose | Start at 1616 SW 17th | Dinner at the Tavern + Dessert at the Goose | 5-9p | $40 per person or $75 per couple | Includes transportation between locations, champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Beer + wine during dinner courtesy of Excess Music Entertainment | Live entertainment by Hobbs & Twan at the Tavern, live music by Mark Rose at the Goose. | Reservations required by December 29, call 234-0700. (Non-dinner option available, $8 cover, includes transportation, champagne toast & party favors.)

The Dugout | 1545 SW Fairlawn Road | Rob Wade Band Rocking in the New Year | 9p | Champagne, party favors + Rob Wade Band t-shirt giveaways.

Holiday Inn | 605 SW Fairlawn Road | New Year’s Eve Party with Charlie & the Stingrays | Call 785-272-8040 for pricing options

Lazy Toad | 5331 SW 22nd Place | NYE Party with Urban Safari

Lucky Dog’s | 1930 SW Westport Dr. | Emotional Feedback New Year’s Bash | 9p-2a

Office Downtown | 124 W. 8th Street | New Year’s Eve Blues & BBQ with Josh Vowell & the Rumble | $15 per person/$25 per couple | Includes party favors, champagne toast at midnight, breakfast | Call 785-354-9380 or visit the website to make reservations

Office Too | 3251 S. Topeka Boulevard | New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party featuring Dueling Pianos: Johnny Fritts & Pete Moran | $40 per person/$75 per couple | Includes full meal, party favors, champagne toast at midnight, breakfast | Call 785-506-8934 or visit the website to make reservations

Ramada | 420 E. 6th Street | New Year’s Eve Bash 2012 | Call 785-234-5400 for pricing options | Six bands, one great price:

Uncle Bo’s | Lionel Young Band | Blues from Boulder, CO
Grand Ballroom | Platinum Express | Motown, Soul + R&B from Kansas City
Jefferson Room | Nick Hern Band | Topeka Blues
Regency Ballroom | Hosted by DJ 151 | Los Garcia Brothers | Grupo Picante | Tropical Azul

Ruffnecks | 917 N. Kansas Avenue | A HELLBENT New Year’s Eve | 9p-1a

Topeka Civic Theatre | 3028 SW 8th Avenue | Laughing Matters NYE 2011 | Doors open at 9p, show starts at 10p | Purchase your tickets on-line now or call the box office at 785-357-5211

Vinewood | 2848 SE 29th Street | New Year’s Eve Party with the Bop Daddies | $55 per person includes dinner, 6p-8p, champagne toast at Midnight | Music and dancing,

come home to the celtic fox

rio — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:14:59 +0000

8th Annual Holiday Homecoming
Friday, December 23 | 7p-1p
The Celtic Fox | 118 SW 8th

The 8th Annual Holiday Homecoming will feature Mike Schpitz (HipHop), Arm the Poor (Reggae), Maria the Mexican (Latin Fusion) and DJ Jabberrock (Trifecta massive sound system) who will join host DJ S.Ranx for a musical reunion of massive proportions.

No longer strictly a hiphop show, The Holiday Homecoming has expanded to include a variety of local and regional bands showcasing various musical genres. “What started eight years ago as an excuse to party and catch up with old friends over the holidays has blossomed into one of Topeka’s premiere live music events,” said DJ S.Ranx.

This year’s lineup is the biggest yet with hometown hero Mike Schpitz returning from the windy city to blow away fans with blazing wordplay and wicked beats. Sharing the stage with up-and-comers Arm the Poor, a 7-piece roots reggae band with blazing horns and heavy riddims, guaranteed to get your hips shaking.

Opening the night’s sonic onslaught is Maria The Mexican, a 5-piece eclectic Latin fusion band. Regional DJ badass, DJ Jabberock, will provide the soundtrack before and in between sets, alongside host/promoter DJ S.Ranx. This is one of the most diverse, exciting, and growing annual shows in Topeka.

[December 2011 | Reprinted from seveneightfive magazine, December 1 issue | Written by Kerrice Mapes]

unmask an elegant evening

rio — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:05:56 +0000

Unmask an elegant evening of wine, food and dance at Gala de Carnival – the 16th annual A Night of Wine & Roses. The large selection of wine tastings and wine education will appeal to both experienced and beginning wine enthusiasts. Wines will be paired with hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner.

Ladies and gents are encouraged to dress in black-tie gala attire to enjoy silent and live auctions followed by live music and dancing. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and Camp Hope.

Wine + Roses
Friday, January 20 | 6:15p | Capitol Plaza
Tickets $100 per person | Includes dinner, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting.
Facebook: TopekaWineandRoses
www.topekawineandroses.org or call 438.5607
Special room rate for event, call 431.7200

“With the Gala de Carnival theme this year, we have added several new twists to the evening that we are sure attendees will enjoy,” said Julie Tucker, chair. “Plus the wine selection and tastings are always top notch.”

“Johnny Carino’s and JoRee’s Catering will provide gourmet hors d’oeuvres for the event before we sit down for a delicious dinner by Chef Andy from the Capitol Plaza Hotel,” Tucker said. “We hope the community will join us for early Mardi Gras fun, while at the same time raising funds to help in the fight against cancer.”

Presenting sponsor of the event is Stormont-Vail HealthCare. Kansas First News and seveneightfive magazine are the media sponsors. Anchorwoman Kelli Stegeman will host the evening’s festivities.

shop local for the holidays

rio — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:28:34 +0000

Just in time for the holidays, we’ve updated this article from last year. Topeka has some new shops and restaurants for your gift-giving pleasure, or a little sumpin-sumpin for yourself, so give it a read, hit the ATM, and pump some cash into the local economy!

Did some people on your “naughty” list suddenly start acting nice? Now you have some last minute shopping to do for the holidays. Check out our list for some of our local favorites, and we’re sure those friends will stay off your naughty list for a few months, at least.

Buttercups & Daisies, 631 S. Kansas Avenue, 235-2817. This cozy little shop is full of sweet little gift items, including blinged picture frames, jewelry boxes, whimsical refrigerator magnets, fanciful cards that qualify as a gift in and of themselves, and Vera Bradley quilted purses and bags.
Hazel Hill Chocolate, 724 S. Kansas Avenue, 215-8333. You’ll go crazy buying truffles, fudge, hand-dipped caramel apples, and more for the chocolate lovers on your list. Then you’ll take it home and eat it all. So let us save you the trouble, just send it all to seveneightfive magazine and we’ll take care of it for you. Promise.
The HUB, Fairlawn Plaza Mall, 5333 SW 22nd Place, 246-6541. You’ll find a variety of trendy and fun gifts, apparel, accessories, and home decor. The HUB caters to all styles from contemporary to vintage, and classic to shabby chic.
Ice & Olives, 3627 SE 29th Street in Thunderbird Square, 29th & Croco Road, 215-8460. If you’re looking to us for gift ideas, chances are you’ll love the cocktail gifts and barware you’ll find here, and so will your lucky gift recipients. Whether shopping for a wine lover, a martini sipper, a beer guzzler or any other variety of imbiber, the gift ideas here flowing!
J.E. Dickerson’s, Fairlawn Plaza Mall, 273-1845. seveneightfive can’t even think about how long this shop has been around, yet everytime we go in, it’s a new experience all over again! Find gifts for the children in your life, the domestic goddesses, and just about everyone else. This is a great place to pick up hostess gifts for all those awesome holiday parties you’ll be hitting up!
Kitchen Gallery, 5331 SW 22nd Place in Fairlawn Mall, 273-6436. The funny thing about kitchen utensils, they make perfect stocking stuffers. So do bottles of Uncle Sunny’s BBQ Sauce. And little jars of gourmet jellies. Pump jars of liquid soap specially made to get the smell of fish and onions off your hands. And gift wrapping is always free here.
Marion Lane Candles, 713 S. Kansas Avenue, 357-4500. You’ll find everything from tea lights to tapers, from teapot votives to jars big enough to stick your nose in and inhale deeply. Trust us, we know this. We love the Kansas-themed scented candles for out of state guests.
The Merchant, 913 S. Kansas Avenue, 357-1444. Their eclectic inventory changes daily, so even if you were just there, go back! You may find a vintage shot glasses and beer steins for your man’s bar, wooden masks from all over the world, vintage yet trendy-again owl jewelry, retro serving platters and much more. Gifts from the Merchant just say, “love.”
PT’s Coffee, 5660 SW 29th Street at Barrington Village, 273-4920. First, you have to get yourself a cup of your choice of coffee drink. That’s just a rule. Then, browse the boxed gift selections PT’s has already made up for you. Perhaps it’ll be a variety of coffee selections with a PT’s logo coffee mug, or a ball cap, or a t-shirt. Perhaps you’ve waited too long and they’re sold out of gift boxes. Then grab a pound of coffee and a logo item from the shelf. If it says “PT’s” then quality is a given. And the caffeine is a plus. And don’t miss the new PT’s Coffee venture: Flying Monkey Handcrafted Brews at 17th & Washburn!
Scandinavian Imports, 1421 SW 6th Avenue, 233-2412. A true Topeka original! Around since 1975, you’ll find unique gifts such as Russian nesting dolls, traditional and contemporary, German nutcrackers, wind-up toys and more. The fanciful greeting cards and activity books selections are perhaps the best in town.
SouthWind Art Gallery, 3017 SW 29th Street, 273-5994. Give the gift of art! There’s something here for every budget, every art lover on your list, including the Kansas 150 ornament and scenic postcards, paintings, sculptures, art books and more.
Whitehall Fine Gifts & Collectibles, 3401 SW 10th Street, 354-7017. Topeka’s leader in Fenton Art Glass, Sabino Crystal, Baijan Art Glass and G.Debrekht Santas. If you can’t find something for someone on your gift list here, you’re just not trying. You can also find Armani Statues, Romans Seraphim Angels, Marie Osmond Dolls, Annaleece Jewelery, Crislu Jewelry, Franz Porcelain Collection, Mill Creek Wildlife Collection and the Boyds Bear Collection, and local-interest antiques.

Still stumped? Many of the places listed above and the following restaurants and shops can help you out with gift certificates:

Above All Books and Gifts, 2607 SW 21st Street, 266-6107
Blue Moose Bar & Grill, 3030 SW Wanamaker, 272-6800
Blue Planet Cafe, 110 SE 8th Avenue, 783-8883
Bosco’s, 435 S. Kansas Avenue, 232-6726
Boss Hawg’s/Pigskin’s, 2833 SW 29th Street at Brookwood Shopping Center, 273-7300
Daimaru Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, 1221 SW Gage Boulevard at Gage Village, 228-0006
Envy Salon 2601 SW 17^th Street, 233-5577
Fine Line Tattoo 1915 SW Gage Boulevard, 233-8288
Kansan Grill, 705 S Kansas Avenue, 233-0086.
Lakeside Wine & Spirits 29^th & Croco at Thunderbird Square
LaRocca’s Pizza, 2025 SW Urish Road, 861-7141
Los Portales, 1116 E. 6th Street, 354-0777
Nathan Ham Photography, 232-3030
New City Café, 4005 Gage Center Drive, 271-8646
RowHouse Restaurant, 515 SW Van Buren Street, 235-1700
Weller’s Grill & Bar, 220 Independence, 783-3191

Tell them seveneightfive magazine sent you. Merry shopping!

a night of media merriment

rio — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:10:52 +0000

With winter weather on its way, the holidays are on everybody’s minds, including the Washburn University Mass Media Department. After proceeds from last year’s “Night of Media Merriment” helped construct a new digital editing lab for Washburn Student Media, the student organization is set to once again host the fundraising/networking holiday event Dec. 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn Downtown Convention Center’s Jefferson Hall. It will include live entertainment from Slow Ya Roll, networking opportunities, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. A cash bar will be available. Tickets for the event are $20 per person, and may be purchased securely on-line.

Student Media at Washburn is open to students of all majors, regardless of their prior experience levels with journalism. However, it has also helped kick start many mass media students onto their future career paths. Some mass media graduates who participated in Student Media’s various publications throughout the years have gone on to work in an array of media-related fields. Some decide to work at local Topeka companies, such as jones huyett Partners, the Topeka Capital-Journal and local radio and television stations such as WIBW and Kansas First News. Some have taken to more regional or national occupations, such as ESPN or Entercom, or started their own businesses. However, they all gained a lot of their experience through Student Media.

“My friend, who had been running Popwreckoning.com, had often discussed with me the idea of starting our own entertainment website and we finally pulled the trigger this past June,” said Andrew Dunlap, a 2009 Washburn mass media graduate and former advertising manager for Washburn Student Media. “I was getting ready to leave [Entercom] and she was looking to get out of Popwreckoning, and neither one of us wanted to lose our entertainment industry and media connections. Thus, with our powers combined we created the site.”

The site Dunlap is referring to is Midcoast Station, an entertainment website the pair created in 2011 that focuses on concert, album and film reviews, as well as artist interviews, TV show recaps and some technology and social media content.

Aside from his work with Midcoast Station, which Dunlap said is a side project, he also works full time as an account manager for APU Solutions, a small software company in Overland Park, Kan.

Shalyn Marsh, another 2009 Washburn mass media graduate, is currently employed at Visit Topeka Inc., the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau. Marsh was a staff writer for the 2007-08 Kaw Yearbook before serving as editor-in-chief for the book in 2008-09.

“Working in student publications helped me tremendously,” said Marsh. “Having lots of projects going at the same time, juggling deadlines and working with practically no budget is a good way to prepare for working for a small company or non-profit. Or any company, really. The yearbook helped me take projects from wild ideas to success completion, and it was great experience.”

Since graduating, Marsh has won several awards for her work at Visit Topeka, and was nominated for the 2011 Topeka Chapter of American Women in Communications Headliner Award.

“I feel lucky that I found a job I really enjoy in Topeka,” said Marsh. “I love having the freedom to take on new projects and figure out how we can complete them, while using the skills I learned at Washburn. I hope the mass media department continues to grow and expand its scope of teaching, as converging media has rapidly changed the way we use media and technology.”

| Story by Josh Rouse | Image courtesy of Washburn University Student Media |

a meal + a toy 2011

rio — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:20:36 +0000

For the last two years, “A Meal and a Toy,” has had the privilege of partnering with the Oakland community to provide the students of Lundgren Elementary School a meal and a toy for the holiday season. This is a neighborhood with caring people and families, that struggles with 500 students below the national poverty level. Last year due to budget cuts the school district closed Lundgren, and moved the kids into State Street — the elementary school on the other side of Oakland.

This year, “A Meal and a Toy,” is partnering with State Street Elementary with the same mission of providing a meal and a toy for each student — but what used to be a school of 200 students is now part of a school with 440 students!

“A Meal and a Toy,” is different from other charitable holiday-time programs in many ways, but the most important thing is that this is not a program that anyone has to sign up for to be a recipient. Every child receives a meal, in the form of a gift certificate from our corporate partners, CiCi’s Pizza and Jason’s Deli. Every child receives a toy, selected by the teachers, and purchased at a discount courtesy of Topeka Walmart stores. Unfortunately, due to pride, fear, or lack of resources, parents might not sign their child up for other programs, and their child may receive nothing. “A Meal and Toy,” assures that no child goes without at least one gift for the holidays.

seveneightfive magazine is proud to partner with Oakland Church of the Nazarene for the second consecutive year to help raise funds for this program. Please give what you can by clicking here, and pass the word. Tell your friends, get your family involved, update your Facebook status, and tweet it to the world — a Meal and a Toy is under way, and we need you to join us in giving the gift of hope this holiday season!

| Selected content and image courtesy of A Meal and a Toy |