Local Brewery Strikes Gold in Colorado!

On Saturday September 26th the Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. The Great American Beer Festival is the largest beer competition in the world and is the National Championships for the United States.

This competition recognizes the most outstanding beers produced by all brewers, large and small, throughout the United States. The top three winners in each beer style category were announced September 26th at the 28th Annual Great American Beer Festival Awards Ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant was the Gold Medal winner in the American Style Wheat Beer category with our County Seat Wheat Beer. This beer was brewed by John Dean, Brewmaster, and Alvaro Canizales, Head Brewer, and is on tap at the Blind Tiger Brewery every day of the year.

Our County Seat Wheat beer is brewed with both unmalted wheat and traditional barley malt. John describes County Seat Wheat as smooth in character, clearly filtered, light in hops, with a slightly dry finish.

Jay Ives, majority owner of The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant, said, “The competition is incredibly stiff with amazingly great beers from many breweries across the United States. It is a real tribute to John Dean and Alvaro Canizales that the Blind Tiger beer has been chosen for such a prestigious award. Here we are, a small local organization competing with the big boys of beer, and winning! Come by the Blind Tiger Brewery and have a taste of our Gold Medal winning beer!”

The 2009 Great American Beer Festival winners were selected by an international panel of 133 Certified Beer Judges who are brewing and beer experts. Judging takes place through five rounds of blind tasting so that the judges focus on the taste, aroma, and appearance of the beer and are not influenced by the brand names.

Nancy Johnson, Festival Director with the Brewers Association said, “The Great American Beer Festival is the premier judging event for the American Craft-Beer industry. Everyone in America who has a good beer brings it here.”

Great American Beer Festival Statistics:

78 Categories
495 Competing Breweries
133 Judges from around the world
3362 Beers Judged

The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant has been brewing and serving great Hand-Crafted beer and wonderful food at 37th St. and Kansas Ave. in Topeka since May of 1995. The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant is the only Brew-Pub in Topeka and features a full, delicious menu, and about a dozen great tasting Hand-Crafted beers on tap at any given time.

John Dean has been the Blind Tiger Brewmaster since 1999. The Gold Medal awarded to him this year is in addition to ten awards from past years for a total of eleven National and International awards!

Jay Ives, majority owner of the Blind Tiger Brewery said, “John Dean is a true treasure, brewing is an art and we have Rembrandt!” John Dean is by far the most award-winning brewer in Kansas.

Beauchamp’s Gallery Goes Beyond Realism

For better or for worse, Ye Wang is a man caught in the middle; straddling two dramatically different cultures . Having moved from China to Canada about 10 years ago, he has yet to fully acclimate himself to western culture. Even since coming to the United States in 2004, he still feels separated by a kind of “glass wall” from the world in which he lives. At times, the glass is absolutely clear. But sometimes, reflections in the glass distort his understanding of the culture he is experiencing. In fact, even when his perception of the culture is perfect, he still has difficulty interpreting what it is he is perceiving.

Ye’s latest collection of paintings provide a metaphor of his personal issues with cultural perception. At first glance, his artwork seems to be a well executed example of photorealism, a type of painting so precise in its dedication to realism that it appears more like a photo than a painting. But Ye’s art goes well beyond realism. He uses multiple photo references in each painting, purposely adding reflection and distortion where it doesn’t really exist. And a glass barrier is always present in Ye’s work- a window, door or mirror. Some elements of his paintings are presented with unnatural clarity while other elements are deliberately blurred. The end result is a type of art that exists somewhere in between Ye’s classical painting roots and the type of abstract painting so prevalent in his adopted western culture. The viewer sees an image that is at the same time both perfectly clear and frustratingly confusing- just like Ye’s cultural experience.

Beginning the first week on October, Beauchamp’s Gallery will be exhibiting Ye Wang’s paintings for 5 weeks. Also, being shown with Ye’s work will be the “trompe l’oeil” or “fool the eye” paintings of Robert Swain and the popular figurative soft sculpture of Beverly Dodge Radefeld. All three artists will be on hand for a Friday evening reception that will be held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk on October 2nd.

Clayton Financial Services, Inc Celebrates Financial Planning Week® with Series of Events

Clayton Financial Services, Inc of Topeka, Kansas will celebrate Financial Planning Week October 5 – 11, 2009.

Clayton Financial Services, Inc., in conjunction with the Financial Planning Association’s nationwide network of local chapters, will be holding events aimed at helping individuals discover the value of financial planning and understand the financial planning process.

Mark your calendar now!
Clayton Financial Services, Inc, serving Topeka and the surrounding area, will host the following Financial Planning Week events:

Launch of Facebook Fan Page on October 5
Clayton Financial Services, Inc. will officially launch its professional Facebook page on the social networking site. The site will feature financial planning information and resources as well as events, pictures, and financial links.
Ice Cream Bar & Open House on October 6 & 8
The public is invited to stop by the Clayton Financial Services office anytime between 11:30am and 1:30pm to grab a bowl, get some ice cream and choose their favorite toppings.
The financial planning team at Clayton Financial will be handing out educational information on financial planning and demystifying some common financial planning topics such as whether or not a person needs a lawyer to draft a valid will, how credit scores can affect insurance rates, the pros and cons of purchasing long-term care insurance and what is considered an acceptable withdrawal rate from a portfolio.
Shadow Day on October 7
Students from Kansas State University’s Personal Financial Planning Program will be given the opportunity to get a glimpse of how financial planning really works by following a Certified Financial Planner™ from Clayton Financial Services for the afternoon.

Clayton Financial Services, Inc. is a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm in Topeka, Kansas. Their experienced team of professionals takes pride in helping to provide our clients with the knowledge they need to make responsible decisions about their future. They sell services, not commission-based products. And, unlike many other advisors, they are held to a Fiduciary Standard, which means they provide objective advice based on the client’s best interest. Clayton Financial Services, Inc. works directly with the other advisors in your life including estate, insurance, and accounting, to help you meet your goals.

The Financial Planning Association is the leadership and advocacy organization connecting those who provide, support, and benefit from financial planning. FPA is the Heart of Financial Planning™ and represents a promise of financial well-being, hoping to create a world where everyone thrives and prospers. FPA has 96 chapters throughout the country representing more than 28,500 members involved in all facets of providing financial planning services. FPA is the community that fosters the value of financial planning and advances the financial planning profession.


For more information on FPA’s Financial Planning Week, please visit www.FinancialPlanningWeek.com.

Public Involvement Sought for Education in Heartland Visioning

Come participate in the public forum held by the Education Foundation Team of Heartland Visioning from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, at the Marvin Auditorium 101BC, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.

The purpose of the meeting is to update the public on what the Education Foundation Team and its Alliances have been working on and then ask for feedback. You will hear about:
1. How Washburn Institute of Technology will benefit our community,
2. What is being done to prepare students for work at local companies,
3. What is being done to encourage graduating college students to stay in the Greater Topeka Area,
4. Other ideas on how education can become a part of a better Topeka.

“The spirit of having a community-wide vision is that the community is involved throughout,” said Patrick Woods, member of Topeka Public Schools Board of Education and co-chair of the Education Foundation Team of Heartland Visioning. “The Strategic Alliances have been working hard and now it is time to reflect for a moment.”

As indicated in the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan, the vision for education in our community is to “promote development of broad based skills to prepare students for lifelong learning that is globally competitive: intellectually, socially, economically, culturally and personally.” The Education Foundation Team has been working on the strategies in the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan since November of 2008.

“The community created the plan and it has to be the community that makes the vision happen,” said Bill Moore, co-chair of Heartland Visioning. “We encourage all foundation teams and alliances to go back to the community regularly. By doing so, we just might find another solution not yet identified.”

Heartland Visioning is working to make the Greater Topeka Area a growing, dynamic and trusting community that maintains a superior quality of life.

Heartland Visioning is a community-wide initiative to develop and implement a shared strategic vision for what we want our community to be in 5, 10 or 20 years. Our community is defined as Shawnee County which includes: Auburn, Rossville, Topeka, Silver Lake, Willard, and unincorporated Shawnee County.

A copy of the plan is available online at www.heartlandvisionoing.com or by contacting the Heartland Visioning office at (785) 231-6006.

St. Francis Baby Fair to showcase area businesses and services for new and expectant parents and grandparents

What: St. Francis Baby Fair

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19

Where: Second floor of St. Francis Health Center, 1700 SW 7th St., Topeka

Why: The public is invited to attend the Second Annual St. Francis Baby Fair, which will feature maternity and baby fashions, drawings for prizes, vendor displays, educational programs, safety tips, NewLife Center tours and more. Various businesses that cater to babies, toddlers and new and expectant parents are invited to participate in the Baby Fair. Educational sessions will be presented by La Leche League of Topeka and Parents as Teachers. Last year’s event drew about 250 participants. Interview and photo opportunities will be available.

Artful Dining: A benefit for the Mulvane Art Museum

Artful Dining is a new annual series of gatherings to benefit the Mulvane Art Museum. Eleven hosts have been recruited for the 2009 events. The line-up of both homes and artists is a spectacular mix that will satisfy food and fine art tastes alike.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Mulvane Art Museum office at 785-670-1124.

Sunset at Sherwood, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25

Enjoy an autumn evening at the lakeside home of Steve and Mary Hutchinson where you will experience festive cocktails and hors d’oeurves as the sun sets over Lake Sherwood. Larry Peters and Barbara Waterman Peters are the featured artists. 6:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, 6748 SW Aylesbury Road, Topeka. $60 per person. Limit 50 guests.

Brunch on the Plaza, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27

Brunch on the Plaza will feature works from the talented artists of the Topeka Art Guild and eclectic fare, such as sweets from the Copper Oven, Classic Bean blintzes, El Mezcal Margaritas, specials from Kiku’s, Dillon’s, Juice Stop and the Kitchen Gallery. Hosted by Randy Austin and Fairlawn Shopping Center Plaza. 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2114 SW Chelsea Drive, Topeka. $35 per person. Limit 75 guests.

Kansas Prairie, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17

Come celebrate the prairie inspired works of art by local artist Cally Krallman in the lovely Westboro home of Mike and Katy Franklin. You will dine on delectable edibles while listening to music from Prairie Glimpses. 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, 3200 SW Westover Road, Topeka. $60 per person. Limit 100 guests.

Fantastic Fall Fare with a Twist, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13

Sip award-winning California wines as you savor a variety of edible and artistic creations throughout a unique Topeka home. The wooded setting is a perfect autumn venue to enjoy new paintings and drawings by Mike Henry and visit with special guest artist Patrick Dougherty, who will be building a sculpture for the Museum in November. This event is hosted by Richard Ross, Lora Carlson, Kevin Eaton and Ken and Jeanne Bertelson. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, 2600 SW Randolph Court, Topeka. $75 per person. Limit 40 guests.

Proceeds from Artful Dining 2009 events and artwork sales benefit the exhibition and education programs at the Mulvane Art Museum. All costs are underwritten by the event hosts. Your total payment for an event is a tax-deductible gift to the Museum. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the sale of art work supports the Mulvane Art Museum and is tax deductible. Artful Dining is organized by the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum.

Artful Dining Committee members are Mary Hutchinson (chairwoman), Konni Flynn, Lynda Miller, Phyllis Dvorak, Jeanne Bertelson and Marion Cott.

PodCamp Topeka Provides How-to Guide for New Media

Think tweeting is just for the birds? If your answer is yes, you may be missing out on a free venue to market yourself or your company.

Twitter – where one can post tweets – will be one of the many social networks and new media outlets discussed at PodCamp Topeka, a free unconference scheduled for Sept. 19 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. The event is scheduled from 9am to 3:30pm.

PodCamp Topeka will bring techies and non-techies together to learn about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to new media. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register online at http://www.tscpl.org/podcamp. Free food and a t-shirt will be provided to the first 150 registrants.

International Web 2.0 speaker David Lee King, the library’s digital branch manager, will lead a session on connecting to communities through commenting on web pages. Commentors are not just geeks who stay up all night hanging out in front of their computers, and therefore people shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss what they say, King said.

“Comments create an open forum and usually interesting insight as to what customers want or think about you. Are you in on the conversation or are you out of the loop? I urge people to open their minds to this forum as a valuable social networking tool,” he said. “PodCamp will help you figure out how to use it to your advantage.”

Other topics at PodCamp may include RSS feeds, marketing with Facebook and producing a vlog, or video blog. PodCamp’s schedule won’t be determined until the day of the event – hence the unconference label – so expect some surprises at this casual event.

People interested in leading a session, can add their names to the list at the following site, http://podcamptopeka.pbworks.com.

YWCA Commemorates 9/11

Governor Mark Parkinson and First Lady Stacy Parkinson will recognize the anniversary of September 11, 2001 as a “Day of Service and Remembrance,” Friday, Sept 11, at 11 a.m. at the YWCA of Topeka offices.

The Governor and First Lady will take a tour of the facilities at the YWCA of Topeka before the ceremony to get a first hand view of the volunteer and service opportunities that exist at the YWCA. Refreshments will be served after the press conference.

Governor Parkinson issued a proclamation declaring September 11 as a “Day of Service of Remembrance” to call on Kansans to commit the day and the future to community service. The proclamation is in conjunction with the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which includes the authorization and Federal recognition of September 11 as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance,” a bill signed into law by President Barrack Obama on April 21, 2009.

“One of the most important things we can do as we look back on the tragic events of September 11 is to give back to our communities,” said Governor Parkinson. “I am asking that all Kansans take some time out of their busy schedule to not only remember this sad part of history, but to also build our state and our country for the future.”

The Governor and First Lady are both actively involved in several community and charitable organizations. They were named the 2006 Co-Citizens of the Year by the United Community Services of Johnson County. First Lady Parkinson is spearheading “United We Serve” in Kansas, the national serve initiative that encourages Americans to become active in their community to help meet the growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn

Kansas Children’s Discovery Center Reaches $5.2 Million Milestone!

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center raised over $500,000 in August leaving only $600,000 more to be raised by September 30th to qualify for a $500,000 matching challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation that will allow the Discovery Center to break ground in 2009.

Recent gifts that have put the campaign over the $5.2 million milestone include generous commitments for Kan-ed, Jody and Stan Teeter, D.V.M., Stormont Vail HealthCare, the Sunflower Foundation and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

In addition to supporting our Kansas schools through economical field trips, the Discovery Center will offer unique distance learning programming, as well.

“Kan-ed is excited to partner with the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. The Discovery Center will be an asset and resource for all K-12 children in the State of Kansas, regardless of social or economic conditions. We are thrilled to have the ability to use some of our federal grant funding to invest in the future of K-12 students on Kansas. The importance of children having access to, understanding and utilizing technology cannot be understated in today’s environment. The technology that we install will support and enhance exhibit areas, encouraging children to ask why, explore, investigate and problem-solve. This state-of-the-art technology is much like what Kan-ed has already provided to schools, libraries and hospitals throughout Kansas since 2001.” said Brad Williams, Executive Director of Kan-ed.

“Stormont-Vail HealthCare is excited about the development of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. In addition to the Discovery Center being a wonderful community resource, it will draw visitors and children from all across the region. The “Amazing Me!” medical exhibit provides an opportunity for children and adults to learn about health and the human body. The entire facility is a promotion of health education and healthy lifestyles. The health of our community is enhanced by the health of our young people; we are pleased to join in sponsoring the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center,” said Maynard Oliverius, President and CEO of Stormont Vail HealthCare.

According to Billie Hall, Executive Director of the Sunflower Foundation, “The Sunflower Foundation is pleased to support the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center with a grant of $75,000. We are excited to see the Discovery Center’s emphasis on play and physical activity – factors that contribute greatly to growing healthy children. The Discovery Center will offer a variety of creative outdoor and gross-motor opportunities through exhibit areas such as the Sunflower Climber and the Yellow Brick walking Paths. We applaud the Discovery Center’s commitment to children and are happy to invest in the development of a facility that will be a lasting resource for Kansans.”

“The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation strives to provide the best possible programs for the education of children. We are excited about our partnership with the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and are happy to award a grant of $20,000 to support this wonderful, educational facility for children that will provide high quality programs and alternative activities for young children,” said Steve Ortiz, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Chairman.

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center will be a showcase facility about discovery and exploration to encourage critical and creative thinking in math, science and the arts. It will regularly serve the 204,000 children ages ten and younger who live in the region.

Ribbon-Cutting Scheduled for Renovated Whiting Field House

Washburn University will celebrate the completion of major renovations to Whiting Field House during a public ribbon cutting at 2 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2009 on the Washburn campus.
Built in 1928, the renovated field house now includes a 9,258 square foot strength and conditioning facility, team locker rooms, offices for the School of Nursing, an 80-seat classroom and two seminar rooms, and new basketball and volleyball courts.

“This is another tremendous example of the impact private support from our alumni and friends has for the students and programs at Washburn University,” said Dr. Jerry Farley, president of Washburn University. “A leadership gift from the Capitol Federal Foundation was important in making this project a possibility and with the remarkable financial support from many others this project is a success.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place outside the north doors of Whiting Field House. Following the ribbon-cutting, visitors will be able to tour the facility.

Officers, board members named by Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, Inc.

A slate of new officers and board members has been named by the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, Inc. for fiscal year 2009-10.

Officers elected are: president, Lora Carlson, secretary/treasurer, Title Midwest Holdings, Inc.; vice president and president-elect, David Heit, architect, Schwerdt Design Group; treasurer, John Hutton, attorney, Henson, Clark, Hutton, Mudrick & Grayson, LLP; assistant treasurer, Patricia Hurwitz, community volunteer; corresponding secretary, Katy Franklin, community volunteer; and recording secretary and immediate past president, Dick Carter, executive director, The Carter Group.

New board members are Dan Billen, graphic artist, Jones Huyett Partners; Jeanne Cohorst, president, Mulvane Women’s Board; Carrie Jo Gros, national sales account executive, WIBW Channels; Lynda Miller, adjunct art instructor, Washburn University; Laurie Niehaus, administrative assistant, Capital City Bank; Chris A. Schultz, president/CEO, Schultz Development LLC; and Olivia Simmons, president/CEO, Visit Topeka, Inc.

Board members currently serving also include Mark Boranyak, lobbyist, Capitol Strategies; Marion Cott, founder and former director, Kansas Humanities Council; Phyllis Dvorak, community volunteer; Rick Ellis, director, The Center for Community Service & Service Learning, Washburn University; Patricia Hurwitz, community volunteer; Cindi Morrison, director, Mulvane Art Museum; Carrie Riordan, managing director, member programs, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America; and Joe Scranton, political director.

Honorary members are Jeanne Bertelson, Carol Jory, Richard Ross, Judith Sabatini and Elizabeth Wunder.

The purpose of the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, Inc. is to provide services to the community through the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University; to foster interest in art and artists through educational means, and to encourage art in everyday life in the community. The Mulvane Art Museum is located on the campus of Washburn University, at 17th and Jewell Streets.

KBS Constructors Receives Award for Excellence in Service

KBS Constructors, Inc., one of the Midwest’s leading commercial construction companies, is proud to have received the Johanna Lyle Excellence in Service Award for their contributions to Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.

The award is given annually to recognize individuals or groups that have contributed volunteer leadership, resources, time, and tasks to the Meadowlark Hills mission to serve elders.

Meadowlark Hills CEO, Steve Shields, presented KBS with the award at the Manhattan Retirement Foundation Board of Trustees Banquet and Awards Ceremony, held July 14.

KBS has served as a contractor on several projects for Meadowlark Hills, a retirement community located in Manhattan, KS that is dedicated to building healthcare households that feel like a home not a hospital.

“I believe that much of the project’s success is owed to KBS’s early involvement,” said Shields. “Having the designer and builder together from the get-go, with a clear purpose and mission, has really paid off for the residents of Meadowlark Hills. I commend them for their part in the success of this project.”

Dan Foltz, Matt Charvat, and Jason Phillips were on hand to accept the award on behalf of KBS.
“Meadowlark Hills has been wonderful to work with,” said Foltz, the President of KBS. “And this recognition adds to the pride we already feel for having helped them move their mission forward.”