Head Brewers Geoff Deman (Free State), John Dean (Blind Tiger), and Bryan “Bucky” Buckingham (23rd Street) designed the recipe together and collaboratively brewed the three batches of Smoke on the Wheat Beer at each brewery in three successive days.

This unique beer style employs a malt bill comprising solely of 100% Oak-Smoked Wheat Malt, giving the beer a unique smokiness.  This highly sessionable beer features the tartness of wheat malt, the slightly fruity qualities of an ale yeast, and the smokiness of a country ham, with just enough hops to balance.  Smoke on the Wheat Beer lays bare the magic of the brewer’s art for all to enjoy, celebrating simultaneously an old world style and new world innovation.

Folks are encouraged to travel to each of the three individual breweries and enjoy the subtle differences between each stellar brew, sharing in the community that the three breweries enliven.

Smoke on the Wheat is a Grätzer/Grodziskie beer.  This pale-straw colored beer has its origins in Grodzisk (Grätz), Poland, where it was the most popular beer style in that country.  According to legend, the popularity of this type of beer is associated with the Benedictine monk Bernard of Wabrzezno.  It’s said he wandered into town and found that the city well had run dry.  Shortly after his fervent prayers and blessings, it refilled allowing brewers to produce their famous Grodziskie smoked beer. For well over two hundred years, the citizens of Grodzisk would make an annual pilgrimage to Bernard’s monastery, some miles away, and leave a keg of Grätzer beer as a token of their gratitude.

Thanks go out to the brewers at Krebs Brewing in Krebs, Oklahoma for reviving this style by securing the original yeast strain and petitioning Weyermann Malts of Bamberg, Germany to produce the Oak Smoked Wheat Malt that is the backbone of this beer.

[ Submitted by Blind Tiger Brewery | Image submitted ]

Backs by Popular Demand | 301 SW Gage | Stop in and get mom a gift certificate for a luxurious massage. With styles ranging from gentle (Swedish, Reiki, etc.) to therapeutic (Deep Tissue, Craniofacial, etc.) she’s sure to enjoy this moment of pampering.

Casa Bellesa | 2500 W 17th | Get your mom “summer ready” with highlights + gel shellac nails, the latest rage. Gift certificates available.

Designer’s Showhouse | 8311 SW 33rd Street | The annual Designers’ Showhouse raises much needed support for Child Care Aware  to continue supporting the community by offering resources to families and child care providers. Certainly this is a cause your mom could support! Click here for hours and ticket information.

Downtown Farmers Market | 12th & Harrison | Nothing makes a hippie-dippie mama feel better than knowing she’s providing her family with healthy, locally-sourced food products. Take her to the Farmers Market Saturday morning, open from 7:30a-12p.

Envy Salon | 15th & Lane | Your mom’s fingertips and toes could probably use some special attention. Get her the Spring Nail Special! $50 gets her a Mani & Pedi (add $10 for the OPI Gel Colour). Call 233-5577 to schedule her appointment!

Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy | What mother doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? Celebrate her laugh lines with… Laugh Lines! Formerly known as Laughing Matters, this funny and unpredictable improv group will put your mom in a good mood that will last a while, at least. Click here for performance times and tickets for the May 11 show.

Warehouse 414 | 414 SE 2nd | You are sure to find something your mom will love at this high-style furnishings store with an eclectic mix of new designs, antiques + vintage pieces. They also carry vintage and locally-made jewelry and art.

Whitehall Fine Gifts & Collectibles | 3401 SW 10th | You’ll find something here at every price point for that special mom in your life. It may be a Swarovski crystal-encrusted ring box, a Fenton Art Glass vase,  a Boyd’s Bear, an Armani statue or (and?) a box of  select luscious truffles.  Don’t miss this gem of a store.

And don’t even let mom enter the kitchen on this special weekend! She’ll enjoy visiting with family while dining at one of our fave locally-owned restaurants:

• Annie’s Place | Huntoon & Gage | Now serving breakfast from 7-11a on Saturdays + Sundays
  
• Blue Moose | 29th & Wanamaker | Serving a special Mother’s Day Brunch
• Boss Hawg’s/Pigskin’s | Brookwood Shopping Center | Open Sundays
• PT’s at College Hill | 17th & Washburn |  Serving a special Mother’s Day Brunch
• Ice & Olives | 29th & Croco | Serving breakfast/brunch on Saturday + Sundays
• New City Cafe | 4005 Gage Center | Serving breakfast on Saturday
• Rowhouse Restaurant | 515 SW Van Buren

It’s springtime, and time to rewire your driving brain, using this simple fact: it’s safer for everyone when cyclists ride on the street. This is where drivers are looking for moving traffic, and how pedestrians can use the sidewalk safely. Considering this and pushing aside irritation at having to share the roads, drivers can save lives by educating themselves with some simple driving etiquette around cyclists.

Give bicyclists space, so much space. Congress is now considering a bill that demands that motorists give bicycles at least three feet of space while passing, but cyclists can use much more than that.  Crowded cyclists are forced to ride closer to parked cars, which can result in them being “doored” – when a parked car opens their car door into a moving cyclist.  When a cyclist is moving at 15-20 mph, an unavoidable collision like this can be fatal.  A driver should always check their side mirror before opening their door, to make sure a cyclist isn’t approaching. 

Of course, sharing space goes both ways.  Cycling commuter Elizabeth Carson says she tries to be as considerate to drivers as possible.  “I try to ride on streets with wide shoulders, because sharing the road goes both ways.  I want to give cars enough room to pass me, and I want cars to give me enough room to not die.”

Treat a bicyclist as you would a car.  Cyclists are essentially held to the same traffic laws as motorists – right down to signalling lane changes and turns and using headlights at night.  One of the most dangerous situations occurs when a motorist attempts to pass when there is oncoming traffic.  It might appear that there is space for a cyclist to move over – but they must keep a safe distance from parked cars while trying to follow the straightest, least erratic path. 

Robert Fitzgerald, board member of the Topeka Community Cycle Project (TCCP), often hears complaints from motorists about the unpredictability of cyclists.  “In my experience, this is something cyclists have to worry more about – since they aren’t the ones texting or putting on makeup or talking to the kid in the back,” he explains. “In any instance where there is a car versus bike accident, the car will win every time – it just makes sense to afford them the same courtesy.”

Don’t be overly considerate – This means not waiving your right of way – this can confuse other motorists and the cyclist in question, who will plan to go when it is their turn.  It seems like a nice gesture, but can cause more trouble than necessary – this is especially true on a four-lane road, where a motorist can wave a cyclist on, but doesn’t have control of whether the other lanes of traffic will also stop.

But don’t be a jerk. There is a special place in hell for motorists who honk and yell at cyclists. Fitzgerald asks motorists to step into the mind of a cyclist: “There is headwind, traffic, exertion, all while you’re pedalling and trying to keep your balance – honking or yelling is a distracting and hazardous activity for someone to do.” 

The time it takes to take a few deep breaths and wait for a safe time to pass (maybe 30 seconds) is far superior to the possibility of an accident.  “Being honked at is startling!” Carson squeaks. “A startled cyclist can swerve or lose control and fall into a car’s path.”

Now take your newfound knowledge, and use it to avoid killing people.  And remember what you learned in preschool – share!  “We’re all on the same road,” Fitzgerald says, “So it’s just about how we get from Point A to Point B safely.”

[ Story by Melissa Sewell | Originally published in print issue, Apr. 15, 2011. | Illustration by Aymen Ghali ]

You don’t need to travel far to experience the best wine the Midwest has to offer. You will just need to drive a short 20 minutes west to the heart of the Flint Hills in Paxico.

Founded in 2008 by Bob and Julie DesRuisseaux, Prairie Fire Winery is a daytime getaway for wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts who want to enjoy the simplicity and taste of a really good and not-too-pricey bottle of vino. Whether you are looking for a sweet bottle of red, a crisp white or anything in between, you will find your favorite libation at Prairie Fire.

Bob DesRuisseaux has been making wine for over 20 years. DesRuisseaux grew up around wine and started making his own varieties to carry on his French ancestors’ love for producing and enjoying a good tasting beverage. He and his wife Julie purchased 60 some acres of land in the beautiful Flint Hills to fulfill their dream of owning a vineyard and running their own winery.

When asked what goes into a good glass of wine, DesRuisseaux simply states, “You have to start with good grapes, without a doubt. A good bottle starts in the vineyard. You can’t make good wine out of a poor product.”

With 15 labels from which to choose the options are plentiful. The beauty of variety, along with the opportunity taste before buying relieves you of the expectation of  falling in love with the first label you try.

DesRuisseaux explains developing a taste for wine best when he says, ‘… [he prefers to] convince someone to drink the kind of wine they enjoy, not the kinds we enjoy.”

I love the idea that there is something for all wine lovers, and maybe a couple of labels for those who are not so keen on the idea. I can almost guarantee that after a tasting, anyone can find something they will enjoy.

I was pleasantly surprised while tasting the amazing assortment of whites and rosés, that my typical “go-to” sweet white didn’t end up my favorite of the Prairie Fire selection. After learning the process and actually taking the time to sip and taste the different essences of notes and smell the aroma of each variety, I fell for a drier selection. A couple of my favorites include the Traminette Semi-Dry, which is a white that has floral notes with a hint of spice and the Prairie Punch, a blush variety with hints of honey and citrus. Bob and Julie treated us with a sampling of their Vidal Blanc sparkling wine, which is definitely something to gush about.

DesRuisseaux prides himself on his sparkling labels (“Brut,” a dry wine, and “Doux,” a sweet counterpart) being the first varieties in the state of Kansas to uphold the Methode Champenoise, the traditional method to make Champagne from the region of the same name in France. Of course these varieties cannot be considered “Champagne” due to the fact that the grapes do not come from the region, but I can imagine DesRuisseaux’s sparkling wines could give even the most traditional wine producers in Champagne something to talk about.

In the coming months, Bob and Julie plan to open a tasting room on their ranch just minutes outside Paxico, where wine lovers can come together and eat, drink and be merry while enjoying the breathtaking view of their vineyards in the Flint Hills.

The couple also has plans to expand their vineyard (more grapes equals more wine) this spring. They would like to try their hands at beekeeping and eventually produce the ever-popular variety of honey wine called mead.

Bob and Julie only use choice, locally grown grapes to make their award-winning wines using centuries-old techniques to create the best locally made wine I have ever tried. They are a delight to chat with and have a vast understanding between them concerning the connection of good company and fine wine.

Enjoy tastings everyday Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5p at their Downtown Tasting Room, located at 103 Main Street in Paxico, where they share a space with Prairie Ghost Art Gallery. You can stop in any day of the week to take a bottle home with you.

Read Bob’s blog and order online by checking out their website at www.prairiefirewinery.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter for updates. Cheers and enjoy!

[ Story by Erin Wynkoop, April 15, 2012 | Photography by Megan Rogers ]

]]> http://www.seveneightfive.com/events/kansas-grapes-award-winning-wine-next-door/feed/ 0 http://www.seveneightfive.com/events/a-new-way-to-shop-local/ http://www.seveneightfive.com/events/a-new-way-to-shop-local/#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 23:28:03 +0000 kerrice http://www.seveneightfive.com/?p=8907 Making a conscious decision of where your money is spent can make a huge impact on our local community. Help keep Topeka unique and colorful  and support local business.

A new initiative and website has emerged – www.shoptopcity.com with a list of local restaurants, businesses and more. Visit the website to learn more about each business.  seveneightfive magazine has joined forces with the initiative to continue to show our support and promote local businesses.

Co-founder, promoter and local business owner Jenny Torrence-Harris said, “How we spend our money day in and day out is how we support our community, and I for one love our unique town and embrace our diversity. Take the time when thinking of where to eat, buy your gifts, purchase your tires, or have a beer. You are who supports your local community by working daily to keep their doors open.”

When deciding where to eat, shop and play, consider checking out this website for a great list on where to go, and where you money is going.  As always, keep it local …Top City local.

[published April 15- May 31, 2013 | Kerrice Mapes | image provided]

First of all, do you know about the Co-op already? “When I tell people where I work, they have no idea,” says Meaghan Conant, sales associate. Even though the place has been operating in some form since 1975, too many people have been keeping it a secret. As a cooperative, it is run by members (who get a discount), but you do not need a membership to shop there.

“We welcome everybody,” insists Barb LaClair, president of the co-op’s board.

Once inside, you will find a compact cornucopia of natural, organic, and local items. There are organic fruits and vegetables from Lawrence, bread from Hoyt. “It’s like a farmer’s market all year long,” Meaghan says. In the cold cases live local milk and cheese, and frozen local meat.

These staples aren’t the whole story. Andy Mayo, who lives in the neighborhood, stopped in to pick up some “snacks that aren’t totally processed.” There are tasty chips, soda pop, candy and chocolate, much of it close to the register, begging to be impulse-purchased.

One whole wall of the store is devoted to bulk goods, including grains, beans and spices. Out of oregano? Bring in your shaker, have it weighed and get as much as you want. “The spices are the best bargain in town,” LaClair shares.

Buying spices in bulk also allows you the freedom to get just the right amount. New customer Rita Stanley, M.D., has taken to buying in bulk. “When you buy by the package [at the supermarket], it’s either too much or not enough.”

Also in the bulk section is a peanut grinder. Flip a switch, and a nozzle will produce the most delicious peanut butter in town. Seriously, you have to try it.

After looking around, and asking the staff for help, if you still don’t find what you’re looking for, do not despair. When asked what made the Co-op unique, Devrin Forte, store manager, immediately offered, “Customer service, and our special order program.” They will track down an item you want, order it, and call you when it arrives.

We hope you do discover and try this quiet local treasure, but the truth is that this is something of a critical time for the Co-op. The sour economy has taken a toll, and there is now mainstream competition. “The things we used to be unique for,” LaClair notes, “like having organic produce and cheeses, now you can get that at the grocery store.” Dear consumers, please think about that for a moment. When you shop elsewhere,  how much of your money leaves Topeka, and doesn’t come back?

LaClair insists, “Locally-owned businesses are an investment in the community, they have a stake in the community.”

Rachael Savage, the Co-op’s community networking head, says that you, the consumer, have “an opportunity to live the values you have. If you really want to help the local economy, or really want to support small business, you want to know where your food is coming from.”  At the Co-op, you can learn the staff’s names, they can learn yours, and maybe you can even meet one of the farmers who produce your food. That’s a lot of advantages for a small store.

[ published in April 15 - May 31, 2013 | by Cale Hermann | photos by Megan Rogers ]

Boss Hawg’s/Pigskin’s | 2833 SW 29th St.. | 785-273-7300 | The fiesta has already started at Pigskin’s. Join them Thursday at 9p as Dalton hosts an adult-version of Jenga! We really don’t have more information than this, but it’s Jenga! so it must be awesome. Wind down your First Friday Art Walk with Kraaazy (or Loco?) Karaoke with DJ Dreux and drink specials at the bar. Saturday, bailemos (let’s dance) with Beans & Cornbread, starting at 9p. $3 cover charge plus, you got it, drink specials!  Sunday, join in on the Cinco de Mayo fun by taking swings at the pinata! You have three chances to win at 1p, 6p and 10p. Candy and prizes are awaiting you!

Downtown Topeka | Kick off the Cinco de Mayo weekend with the First Friday Art Walk! Enjoy Salsa Fest 2013 at all stops throughout downtown. Enjoy chips and salsa and look for the salsa dancers from In Step Dance Studio. For more information, visit the Salsa Fest 2013 Facebook page.

Fiesta Mexicana of Topeka | No, they didn’t move the Fiesta up for cooler weather (who knows what July will bring anyway, right?) but you can still get great Mexican food at the King and Queen candidates’ food sales! For Cinco de Mayo weekend pack up the kids and the neighbors and head over to the Marlo Cuevas Balandran Activity Center, 216 NE Branner for lunch or dinner, or breakfast on Sunday! For more information visit their Facebook page.

NOTO | North Topeka Arts District | First Friday Art Walkers in NOTO will get a taste of Cinco de Mayo all throughout NOTO. Stop in at 820 Riverfront Station for music by Paradize Band, drink specials for the adults and facepainting, fun and games for the kiddies. Visit Ballet Folklorico de Topeka’s dance studio for a tribute to the late, great artist Jack Cobos, including guitar music by his brother Phil, and enjoy chips and salsa while browsing/shopping at Vintage Vibe. For more information, visit the NOTO website.

Tour de Topeka on Cinco de Mayo | Burn off some of those enchiladas y cervezas with a bicycle ride around Topeka! The weather is supposed to be nice, so pull those wheels out of the garage, air up the tires, though on your helmet (!), and enjoy a ride starting at the Living and Learning Center on the Washburn University campus. It’s family-friendly, so get the kids out there, too! For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

[ Story by Rio Cervantes-Reed, April 2013 | photos submitted by Jack's family ]

The Topeka Community Cycle Project is a volunteer-run non-profit organization committed to the reclamation and distribution of recycled bicycles. Through an “earn-a-bike” program, volunteers refurbish bicycles that would otherwise take up space in a landfill giving new life and utility to bicycles. The Topeka Community Cycle Project promotes self-reliance, sustainability, and healthful living in Topeka.

For more information, visit the Cyclotrope Cinema website.