Win this Schwinn!

If you were lucky enough to attend the inaugural event last year, then you’ll know that the Flat Tire event was the place to be. KC Sprints will be returning with their stationary bike races, you can register to win a vintage Schwinn Cruiser bicycle and bid on the silent auction items.

Live music will be provided throughout the night by Slow Fade from Topeka, and The Hemorrhoids and OILS from Lawrence. Resistance deejays Blaundie and DJ Whitebread will close out the evening with a dance party.

Tickets for the second annual Flat Tire Benefit may be purchased on-line for $5.25, or a $5.00 donation will be requested at the door. For more information about the Topeka Community Cycle Project, please visit their website.

| Story by Rio Cervantes-Reed | Images courtesy of TCCP |

Dishes include:

Gyros (He-rose): Grilled seasoned lamb sliced thin, wrapped in a pita and garnished with tomatoes, onions + Tzatziki sauce (special garlic, cucumber yogurt sauce).

Falafel (fa-LAH-ful): Deep fried patties made from ground chickpeas and fava beans.  Wrapped in a pita and garnished with tomatoes, pickles and Tahini sauce.

Souvlakia (soo-VLAH-kee-ah): Two skewers of chicken, green peppers and onions, marinated and flavored with Mediterranean spices and grilled to perfection.

Kafthedes (kef-TEH-dees): Three lamb/beer patties with authentic spices topped with special tomato-based sauce, which is scented with mint, cinnamon, cloves, onions and garlic. Garnished with crumbled feta cheese.

Spanikopita (span-eh-KO-pee-tah): Famous Green spinach pie… Inside phyllo pastry is a blend of spinach, scallions, parsley, dill and feta cheese.

Dolmades (dol-MAH-dees): Tender grapevine leaves, stuffed with rice, ground beef and delicious spices and simmered in a flavored broth.

Hummus (HUM-ahs): Blend of chickpeas, sesame seed paste, lemon juice, garlic and Mid-Eastern spices.  Served with grilled pita bread brushed with olive oil.

Horiatiki (hoor-ee-ah-TEE-kee): Traditional Greek village salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, feta cheese and black Kalamata olives.  Topped with garlic, vinegar and olive oil dressing.

Also featuring Greek Pastries and Coffee

The Kafenion (Greek coffee shop) will be located in the church hall.  Stop by there to sample delicious Greek sweets like baklava paired with traditional Greek or domestic coffee.

[information and images provided by Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church]

[photos and information provided by Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church]

Relief and recovery efforts are continuing in Joplin, Missouri  since an EF-5 tornado hit the city on May 22. The death toll is now at 156 and rebuilding costs are estimated at $3 billion.

Closer to home, Reading, Kansas, a town of 250 people, was struck by an EF3 tornado on Saturday, May 21, shortly after Topekans were sent scrambling for safety due to tornado sirens. One man was killed and several injured. Damages to residential and business properties are estimated to be $2,250,000.

Hosted by 151 Entertainment and Deuce Alley Productions the benefit will feature music by Josh Vowell & the Rumble, Urban Safari, Simply Driven, and The Rob Wade Band. DJ 151will provide the Latin flavor, and hip hop artist Dalima will perform his latest hits. Comedy relief will be provided by Austin Wright and King Louie Hidalgo III.

Food will also be available throughout the evening, catered by Los Charros Mexican Restaurant and attendees can purchases chances to win items and services donated by Topeka-area businesses and merchants.

Attendees must be 21 & over to enter and will be asked to make a $5 minimum donation at the door.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event or donating merchandise for the raffle please contact Steve Alley at 785-969-7879 or Ronald Ruiz  785-817-4042.

“One hundred and fifty year birthdays only come once in a lifetime,” said Kathy Smith of ARTSConnect, one of the organizers. “We knew that as the capital city, we needed to do something to celebrate.  A core group came together and realized that we could do something special for our community if each of us did something.  That is how the concept of Savor Kansas was created.  The original plan was to have events over a 4-day weekend, but once all of the people and groups who wanted to participate were put together, we ended up with a month-long celebration.”

The first event begins on Friday, May 27, with the Red, White and Blue Barbeque competition at the Kansas Expocentre, hosted by the Arab Swiners, the BBQ club of the Arab Shrine Temple. Events continue throughout the month, everything from a Negro Baseball League tournament, to a 24 hour playwriting festival, art exhibits, bike trail rides and Saturday tours with great titles like “For God’s Sake Take Cover!” and “Homegrown But Rotten Outlaws Tour”  Wrapping up Savor Kansas is an auction of the artwork selected to be a part of the Kansas 150 Competition at Southwind Gallery on Saturday, June 25.

Collaborators include: Visit Topeka, ARTSConnect, Southwind Gallery, WIBW-TV, Frye-Allen, The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, WIBW Radio, Warehouse 414, the Topeka Art Guild, the Upstage Gallery, seveneightfive magazine, Downtown Topeka, Inc., Kansas Network to Freedom,  Topeka Magazine,  Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Ad Astra Theatre Ensemble, the Arab Shrine Temple  and many more groups and individuals.   For a complete calendar of events, go to www.savorkansas.com.

[logo by FryeAllen | contributed by Savor Kansas ]

Our neighbors to the east were struck by an EF5 tornado on Sunday, May 22. At the time of this posting, the death toll was at 125 and the damage is estimated at at $3 billion dollars.

It may be just a drop in the bucket, or the tip jar, but bar-goers are encouraged to skip a beer, shot or cocktail and donate the cash to the relief  efforts by placing them in the bartenders’ tip jar.  seveneightfive magazine will also have a tip jar for donations at each participating bar. For more information please visit the event’s Facebook page.

Reading, Kansas, a town of 250 people, was struck by an EF3 tornado on Saturday, May 21, shortly after Topekans were sent scrambling for safety due to tornado sirens. One man was killed and several injured. Damages to residential and business properties are estimated to be $2,250,000.

Chris Aytes & the Good Ambition already had the date booked at Live Music Institute. Once the tornado hit on May 21, Chris decided to turn it into a fundraiser for the people of Reading, Kansas. “The national focus was on Joplin, Missouri due to the tornado that hit the following day. Though the response efforts for that community is very much needed, I hate for our small Kansas town to be forgotten. We thought that inviting a few more musicians to join us would help draw the funds needed to help Reading in their recovery.”

Ellie Smith & the Commotion stepped up, and the Live Music Institute Student Jazz Band joined in. The show will start at 7pm with jazz, followed by cool blues music by Ellie Smith & the Commotion at 8pm. Chris Aytes & the Good Ambition will wrap up the benefit rocking the stage at around 9pm.

A $5 suggested donation will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross, Kansas Chapter, Reading KS Tornado Response.

[Story by Rio | Photo by Ryan Bishop, Gizmo Productions]

Back when Topeka’s reigning kings of 80′s pop and roll, Nucklehead Jones, was still in High School, the band In/Out was blowing the roof off clubs and bars here in T-Town. Performing an eclectic mix of original material alongside some now classic tunes like One Thing Leads to Another by the Fixx, New Girl Now by Honeymoon Suite, Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil, Why Can’t I Be You by the Cure and Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, In/Out performed a professional show and was one of the most in-demand bands of that time.

But like most bands in this or any day and age, they split up, went their own ways, did some exciting things, and lived their lives. John Kinsch and lighting engineer Scott Crider went on to work with Garth Brooks and Martina McBride while other members moved to such exotic locations like Seattle, Boise and Kansas City.

Eventually all the members of In/Out made their way back to Topeka to be closer to family members, and every once in awhile they’d get together and talk about doing a reunion. But it wasn’t until recently when that talk became a reality and a really important motivation for the band to get back together. As Scott explains in the band’s press release:

. . . Duff Tuell’s wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor and then passed away after a long struggle, leaving behind their beautiful daughter. Then, John’s sister was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away last year. Somewhere in the middle one of our mutual friends died of breast cancer . . .it became obvious . . .We needed to get together for a reunion show that would benefit the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge, one of the facilities that Duff’s wife and John’s sister used during treatment.

So on May 21, Mark Hodges, guitar; John Kinsch, bass; Doug Gragson, vocals; Bill Kampsen, drums, and Duff Tuell, keyboards, accompanied by Scott Crider, will once again take the stage as In/Out to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge in Kansas City.

A silent auction is also planned featuring items from Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks along with other celebrities and retailers. The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m.

The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge is a place for patients who travel for treatment to stay for free, to lessen the financial burden.

Nestled downtown in the quaint Quality Hill district, the Hope Lodge in Kansas City provides a home away from home for cancer patients who have traveled from out of town for treatment. For 365 days a year, the Hope Lodge provides patients with easy access to some of the nation’s leading medical institutions while offering a caring, community environment during their stay.

For more information on the Hope Lodge, visit cancer.org or call 1.800.227.2345

Tickets are on sale for the event at the Kansan Grill, Steam Music and the Kansas Guitar Exchange for $10 and are limited to the first 250 sold. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $12. Free parking will be available at the Crosby Place parking garage near 8th and Kansas the night of the show.

If you can not attend, but would like to make a donation, send it to the following address:

IN/OUT Reunion and Cancer Benefit

c/o Scott Crider

1905 SW High Ave

Topeka, Kansas 66604

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and even death.

How cancer starts

Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. There are many kinds of cancer, but they all start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.

Cancer cell growth is different from normal cell growth. Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells. Cancer cells can also invade (grow into) other tissues, something that normal cells cannot do. Growing out of control and invading other tissues are what makes a cell a cancer cell.

People can inherit damaged DNA, but most DNA damage is caused by mistakes that happen while the normal cell is reproducing or by something in our environment. Sometimes the cause of the DNA damage is something obvious, like cigarette smoking. But often no clear cause is found.

In most cases the cancer cells form a tumor. Some cancers, like leukemia, rarely form tumors. Instead, these cancer cells involve the blood and blood-forming organs and circulate through other tissues where they grow.

How cancer spreads

Cancer cells often travel to other parts of the body, where they begin to grow and form new tumors that replace normal tissue. This process is called metastasis. It happens when the cancer cells get into the bloodstream or lymph vessels of our body.

How common is cancer?

Half of all men and one-third of all women in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes.

Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in a person’s lifestyle, for example, by quitting smoking, limiting time in the sun, being physically active, and eating a better diet. The sooner a cancer is found and treated, the better the chances are for living for many years.

For more information about cancer, please contact The American Cancer Society anytime, day or night at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

[May 2011 | Robin Cremer | photo courtesy of In/Out]

Activities begin at 5 with the Topeka High Drum Line performing on the street, followed by a dance performance by the Jason Jones’ Accent Academy dancers.

The ribbon cutting begins at 5:30. Mayor Bill Bunten, Topeka Public School Superintendent Kevin Singer, Washburn University President Jerry Farley, and US Bank Topeka President Wendy Wells are among the dignitaries who will be speaking. Following the ribbon cutting, music will be provided by Month of May Trio from Kansas City, sponsored by US Bank.

Acclaimed artists Cally Krallman and Kim Casebeer known for their exceptional landscape paintings will be available to discuss the first class being presented in the NOTO Community Arts Center:

• Pizza Pochade Box: A Plein Air Paint- Out. This will be a unique outdoor painting experience in Historic Downtown North Topeka for high school students, using pizza boxes. Krallman and Casebeer will both be donating a piece of their original work to benefit the scholarship program for the Center. These pieces will be presented in a silent auction at the First Friday in July at the Center along with the finished work of the students. Proceeds will benefit the Scholarship Program for classes at the Center.

Other Grand Opening features include a continuously-running magic show by Curtis Sneden with refreshments available until 8 p.m., and an exhibit of artwork by Topeka Public School students will be on display throughout the weekend, including a unique display of “Thought Bubbles” created by Topeka Public School students.

On Saturday, May 7, the public is also invited to an Open House in the NOTO Community Arts Center from 1 – 4.

Art Making Fun for the family with take-along projects will be featured. Refreshments will be available, featuring cupcakes created by the culinary students of the Washburn Technical Institute with the hand-created NOTO logo on top. A balloon clown will be present to delight the children.

Other NOTO businesses in the district will be open Friday evening, including Renee Johnson’s Eclective with live music by the Rob Wade Band. The Eclective and Two Days Market will also be open on Saturday. Barbara Waterman-Peters’ STUDIO 831 will be open only Friday night.

Bike the Walk will also take place, starting in the NOTO Arts District. Grand Opening events are underwritten by US Bank. Topeka US Bank President Wendy Wells said, “The NOTO Arts District aligns with so many of the U.S. Bank strategies and missions for community involvement and support, including neighborhood revitalization, arts and culture and multicultural involvement. The business plan for NOTO is well designed, has excellent leadership and Board experience and most importantly, has strong community support. We are proud to be a sponsor.”

The NOTO Community Arts Center is a collaborative project of the NOTO Arts District, Topeka Public School District and Washburn University/Mulvane Art Museum. Superintendent Kevin Singer is credited for having the vision for developing this center.

Co-Chair Anita Wolgast at a NOTO press conference last year

“The NOTO Community Arts Center is a wonderful example of collaboration between Topeka Public Schools, Washburn University’s Mulvane Art Museum and Heartland Visioning. The arts center will soon be providing art classes, mentorships and unique opportunities for Topekans of all ages. This will be an exciting opportunity for our community,” said Singer.

Washburn University President Jerry Farley added, “It is absolutely incredible what we can accomplish by working together. Everyone involved in the arts center contributed their talent, enthusiasm and time to make this project a success. “

The NOTO Arts District is a project of Heartland Visioning. Initiated in April of 2010, this is the fourth grand opening ceremony for the arts district.

Co-chairs John Hunter and Anita Wolgast expressed their own astonishment at the fast pace of the development of the district and stated, “It is indeed significant to be celebrating the major collaborative community center project with strong community partners. For this to be the fourth grand opening in a year’s time since the project was announced is exhilarating and speaks to the incredible support of the artists and the community. We are excited to be announcing another major gift at the Grand Opening ceremony as well as a gift from a Topeka Public Schools student.”

All events are free and open to the public.

[ Heartland Visioning press release | May 2011 | photos by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography | photo at left courtesy Topeka Chamber of Commerce ]

Free artistic reign and a blank canvas are crucial elements in many artists’ quests to create a masterpiece. 13 miles of blank canvas may just be the pinnacle of every artist’s enterprise. With chalk as the tool of choice and a pavement trail as the canvas, Chalk the Walk provides the quintessential elements for every artist and budding artist alike.

The culmination of a class project, this inaugural event, scheduled for April 30, 2011 from 10 a.m. to Noon, is a way to bring the community together in celebration of the iconic Shunga Trail.

“We want to encourage people to get out and be active and appreciate the Shunga for all it means to the community. It connects neighborhoods, it’s good for transportation, it’s a cycling route across the city, it leads to a healthier lifestyle,” said Karl Fundenberger, one of the five creators of the event.

Fundenberger, along with Amy Strathman, Brett Oetting, Chelle Decker and Don Rankin created the idea as part of their participation in Leadership of Greater Topeka, sponsored by the Topeka Chamber of Commerce. The five were paired on their combined interest in neighborhood revitalization, complete street issues and sustainability. The Shunga, traditionally known as a runner’s training ground of choice, a cyclist’s dream and a dog-walker’s paradise, seemed like the obvious place, with its path spanning through many of the city’s parks and recreational areas and connecting neighborhoods from Crestview to Oakland.

The event hopes to not only bring awareness to the Shunga and all of its appeal, but to “spruce” up the already beautiful trail with every shade of sidewalk chalk available.

Check-in will commence at 9 a.m. at the Crestview Community Center (4801 SW Shunga Drive) and participants will receive their chalk and be assigned a square. While Fundenberger adds that to cover the whole thirteen miles of the trail would be “wild,” the group is hoping that at least 100 squares will be completed by each individual or group that registers.

The trail will still be open during the event to runners, walkers, cyclists and nature enthusiasts and Fundenberger is hoping that the the cost (free) and the vendor booths and information that will be available about the community will lure participants straight off the trail.

“We’re really hoping for organic participation,” Fundenberger notes, “for people to see what’s going on and get interested.”

For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.chalkthewalktopeka.org.

[ March 2011 | Janice Watkins | Shunga Sign photo by Adam Koger | cross-posted to XYZtopeka.com ]