SCOTCH SHARE THE WARMTH® COAT GIVEAWAY

Thousands of clean, warm coats in good condition will be given away at the 23rd Annual Scotch Share the Warmth® program. Scotch Cleaners and the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary have announced that the public coat giveaway will be Monday, November 30 through Saturday, December 5. Hours are 1 – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The giveaway is at the Salvation Army, located at 1320 SE 6th in Topeka. Coats are free to anyone in need. Individuals should be there in person to try on coats before selection.

Groups needing special times or individuals needing assistance may make an appointment for getting coats by contacting a social worker at the Salvation Army in Topeka at (785) 233-9648.

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic Opens Today at Kansas Expocentre

The opening performance of "Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic" at the Kansas Expocentre will be today, Friday, Nov. 27 at 1:00 p.m. (show runs through Sunday, Nov. 29).

Ticket prices start at $14 and are available at the Kansas Expocentre box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800.745.3000. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic is a sing-along score of award-winning Disney music, stunning choreography, elaborate, eye-dazzling sets and beautiful costumes. More than 60 of Disney’s characters and 18 unforgettable stories will be featured in this commemorative celebration when Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse take audiences on a fun-filled adventure, sharing memories with Disney friends including Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio, Mulan, Timon, Pumbaa, Stitch, the beloved Disney Princesses, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Nemo, the Incredibles and many more!

To learn more about Disney On Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com.

Show Dates: Friday Nov 27 – Sunday, Nov. 29. Friday, Nov. 27 at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm; Saturday, Nov. 28 at 11:00 am. 3:00 pm; Sunday, Nov. 29 at 1:00 pm.

HOLIDAY EVENTS AT TOPEKA CIVIC THEATRE

Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy has announced three wonderful events to help celebrate the holidays! Fans of live theatre will be able to experience a classic holiday film brought to life with singing and dancing, a beloved children’s literature character brought to life on stage, and improv comedy to ring in the new year!

Beginning this weekend and running through December 20, 2009, It’s a Wonderful Life is being performed on the Sheffel Stage at TCTA. Frank Capra’s classic holiday film is lovingly brought to the stage with a faithful script and charming music. Through the gift of his guardian angel, Clarence, George Bailey discovers how wonderful his life has been by being granted the privilege of seeing what the world would have been like had he never been born. The show features almost 50 actors, ages toddler through senior citizen, performing delightful holiday music for families to enjoy!

Opening December 11 and playing through December 20, 2009, the new TYA series with adults performing for children brings the stories of A.A. Milne to the stage with A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail. On a Christmas Eve not too long ago, Eeyore, the old gray donkey, was absolutely miserable. He had lost his tail and Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet gather all their friends to organize a search to find it! This show is packed with fun and excitement and is appropriate for kids of all ages.

Adults can ring in the New Year laughing at TCT as the Laughing Matters Improvisational Comedy Troupe brings a night of outrageous comedy sketches and improvisational games to the stage. This show contains some humor not suitable for all audiences. The show begins at 10pm and ends with a midnight countdown by the comedy company from the Sheffel stage.

For more information about any of these holiday activities and more, please visit TopekaCivicTheatre.com or call Chelle Decker, Marketing Director at (785) 357-5213.

St. Francis Health Center has lower mortality rate than national average, according to national study

St. Francis Health Center received recognition for providing high-quality care in several service lines, according to a comprehensive annual study released by HealthGrades, the leading independent health care ratings organization. The HealthGrades study annually assesses patient outcomes – mortality and complication rates – at virtually all of the nation’s nearly 5,000 nonfederal hospitals. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

St. Francis received recognition in 25 areas, including:

• Ranked No. 1 in Kansas for GI services
• Ranked No. 1 in Kansas for GI medical treatment
• Ranked among the top 5 (No. 3) for coronary interventional procedures
• Five-star rated for treatment of heart attack—three years in a row (2008-10)
• Ranked among the top 5 (No. 3) in Kansas for overall orthopedic services
• Recipient of the HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™—two years in a row (2009 and 2010)
• Ranked among the top 5 (No. 2) in Kansas for treatment of stroke
• Five-star rated for treatment of pneumonia—four years in a row (2007-10)
• Ranked among the top 5 (No. 3) in Kansas for overall critical care

“St. Francis has invested significantly in process improvements, patient satisfaction initiatives and technology to enhance the quality of our patient care,” said Grant Wicklund, St. Francis interim president and chief executive officer. “This recognition from HealthGrades across multiple service lines underscores our commitment to improving the health of our community and is an appreciated acknowledgment of the expertise and effort our staff and partnering physicians apply at St. Francis every day.”

According to the 12th annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America study, top-rated hospitals had a 52 percent lower mortality rate than the U.S. national average when looking at the patient outcomes of 17 procedures and diagnoses ranging from bypass surgery to treatment for heart attack. When the top-rated hospitals were compared to the poorest performers, there was an even greater difference, 72 percent lower mortality.

The new 2010 HealthGrades hospital ratings are posted at www.healthgrades.com, HealthGrades’ public Web site.

Library receives national four-star ranking from Library Journal

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library has been recognized as a high-performing library in a time of need. This week, the library was given four out of five stars by Library Journal, by the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field.

Libraries across the nation are playing a key role in their communities in this current economic crisis, and your library is no exception. Libraries were judged on number of visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use.

“Each month since the economic downturn, we’ve broken circulation records. More customers are coming in looking for job search tips or looking for free entertainment. We’re happy to fulfill their need and be recognized as a library of distinction,” Paul Brennan, collections manager, said.

Each day more than 3,000 visitors walk through the doors of the library. The library has experienced a 19.3 percent increase in the number of people coming into the library this year compared to last. In 2008, we checked out 2,453,453 items. This year, checkout is up 7 percent.

The library provides free computer and Internet access and training. We offer about 500 computer-training classes each year. Our instructors say attendance at computer training programs has increased as the unemployment rate has increased.

258 libraries from across the United States earned a star ranking. To find out what other Kansas libraries were awarded stars, visit http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6705870.html#KS.

Heartland Visioning Inaugural Report, 2009

Today Heartland Visioning released its inaugural report. The report, which is promised every year, will provide a look at what has been accomplished in the year toward achieving the community-wide vision. The efforts put in by the dedicated vision partners and over 500 volunteers from around the community are what make the success of Heartland Visioning possible.

There are changes taking place in Shawnee County. In 2008, Shawnee County grew by 0.8% only 0.2% away from the 1% annual growth target.

The average earnings per job increased 1.6% in Shawnee County during the first quarter of 2009 versus a decline of 2.5% nationally. This is 3.35% over our benchmark target of being 0.75% over the national average for average job earnings.

Lastly, from 2006 to 2007, crime in Shawnee County declined by 12%, a greater decrease than the U.S. average. Additionally, crime in the City of Topeka has dropped 6.4% from 2007 to 2008.

These Key Benchmark results show that change is happening for the better. From here, the goal for Heartland Visioning is to keep these changes going in a positive direction. The Key Benchmarks are used as indicators, letting the Strategic Alliances and everyone know that what we are doing is working.

“There are a lot of wonderful things happening in our community,” said William Beteta, Executive Director, Heartland Visioning. “This was a learning year for all of us. One thing we learned was about all the great people and programs that exist and are working on things the community said it wants.”

In learning about existing programs, Heartland Visioning’s mission is to help like minded individuals and organizations build collaboration and make what they do even better for the community.

A copy of the report is available by contacting the Heartland Visioning office 785.231.6006, info@heartlandvisioning.com or go to the Website www.heartlandvisionoing.com.

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.

AFP-Kansas prepares transportation policy primer for legislators, taxpayers

The Kansas chapter of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity has prepared a ‘policy primer’ to help Kansans understand what Kansas spends on transportation in the state, and how our state compares with others in the region.

Derrick Sontag, AFP-Kansas state director, said Kansas has had a comprehensive highway or transportation plan for twenty years now.

“There are many in Topeka who believe that the simple act of building new roads and highways spurs economic growth, but the numbers suggest otherwise,” he said. “For example, between 2002 and 2006 Kansas ranked eighth in the country in highway spending per capita, yet our Gross State Product growth lagged at 33rd.”

Sontag said that generally speaking, economic research studies have not found that increased spending and building more roads will lead to a larger economy and to more private capital in a given state.


“Kansas’ rankings in highway spending and GSP growth, as well as other economic measurements, suggest there is no direct correlation between increased government spending on highways and economic growth,” he said.

Sontag also noted that the state’s annual population growth has averaged less than a half percent.

“With lagging Gross State Product and population growth, one has to wonder just what economic measurements the proponents of implementing a new highway plan cite in making their claims that simply building new roads will lead to an economic recovery in Kansas,” he said. “Reducing the tax burden and government spending will best assist the private sector, not increasing our tax and debt burden.”

Sontag said it would be irresponsible for the Legislature to do anything further than authorize an appropriate maintenance plan during the upcoming legislative session.

“Kansas’ roads and highways are in great conditions, and AFP-Kansas supports the implementation of a responsible maintenance program,” he said. “However, with the state facing a $500 million shortfall and Kansans already facing an uncompetitive tax and debt burden the last thing the Legislature should do is embark on a massive tax and debt plan that further places Kansas families and businesses in a financial bind.”

The AFP transportation policy primer outlines the state funding for highway plans, which has traditionally involved taxes and debt. It also compares the Kansas tax rates to those of neighboring states.

St. Francis Health Center named on Top 100 Hospital: Best in Value Hospitals™ list

St. Francis Health Center was recently named by Data Advantage LLC as a Top 100 Hospital: Best in Value Hospitals™ list from the 2009‐2010 Hospital Value Index™, the first and only national study on U.S. hospitals and the value of care they provide.

The hospitals in the Top 100 list represent nearly every state in the U.S. St. Francis was the only hospital in Kansas that was named to the list.

“These are the hospitals that set the bar for the nation when it comes to value. If every hospital performed at the level of the Top 100, we found that more than $60 billion per year could be saved,” said Hal Andrews, chief executive officer of Data Advantage.

“We are honored that St. Francis has been recognized for its stewardship in delivering value to patients,” said Grant Wicklund, interim president and chief executive officer of St. Francis. “We appreciate the efforts of our physicians and staff and the work they do to provide care that is both high-quality and cost-effective and acknowledged as such by national consumer health organizations.”

“The Hospital Value Index™ winners are a geographically diverse group of hospitals that have a proven ability to deliver high value care to their communities and represent a model of care that other U.S. hospitals should look to,” Andrews said. “As legislators consider health reform, we believe that it will be increasingly important to recognize and reward those hospitals that deliver outstanding value.”

These results are part of the findings from the 2009‐2010 Hospital Value Index™ study, an analysis of the value of care provided at more than 4,500 U.S. hospitals.

New Residence Providing Assisted Living and Memory Care Services Planned For Topeka, Kansas

Legend Senior Living today announced plans to construct a free standing assisted living and memory care residence in Topeka, Kansas. Legend at Capital Ridge Assisted Living and Reflections Memory Care will be located at 1931 SW Arvonia Place and consists of 51 private apartments for Assisted Living and 15 private suites dedicated for Memory Care.

Legend at Capital Ridge will provide daily assistance to older adults who can no longer live alone, but don’t require the advanced level of skilled medical care provided by a nursing home. The care model emphasizes a homelike residential design and programming developed to help older adults maintain a rich quality of life.

Reflections Memory Care Residence at Legend combines beautiful private suites with state of the art life enrichment programs and trained staff to meet the needs of individuals with memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.

WDM Architects, Wichita KS, designed the residence. The Law Company, Inc., Wichita KS is the general contractor and Roger Mullanax (316-268-0200) is the project manager. Construction is scheduled to start immediately. The Legend at Capital Ridge is planned for completion in late 2010.

Legend Senior Living is a privately held company founded in 2001 by Timothy Buchanan and is dedicated to providing quality services and housing to senior adults. Legend Senior Living owns and operates Independent Living and Assisted Living Residence in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Florida.

TIBA ANNUAL MEETING TO HONOR TOPEKA INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES

The Topeka Independent Business Association will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at The Shawnee Country Club, 913 SE 29th Street in Topeka. The annual meeting will include the installation of the new TIBA board members, and the presentation of the Top TIBA Businesses of 2008 in three categories and the Ron Stryker Key Member Award.

Those being honored as the Top TIBA Business of 2009 include E2 Communications in the 1-5 employees category; Kendall Construction, Inc. in the 6-50 employees category; and St. Francis Health Center in the 50 + employees category. The awards are based on business growth, community involvement, activities which enhance the small-business climate in Topeka, active involvement in TIBA, and leadership in the community.

“The TIBA Annual Meeting is our opportunity to celebrate independently-owned businesses and business owners in Topeka,” said Tara Dimick, TIBA chair.

The Ron Stryker Key Member Award will be presented to the key member of TIBA in 2009 and is chosen annually by the TIBA chairperson. The award was created to honor Ron Stryker who passed away in May of 2008. Ron was an advocate for independent business and a founding board member of the Topeka Independent Business Association. He started his career as an entrepreneur in the heating and air conditioning industry and acquired twelve related businesses. The winner of the Ron Stryker Key Member Award will be announced at the TIBA Annual Meeting on November 10, 2009.

Seating is limited and reservations are required. To make a reservation, email tiba@topekaiba.org or contact Sharon DuBois at (785) 783-2897.

The Topeka Independent Business Association (TIBA) is the voice for independent businesses in Topeka and Shawnee County. TIBA members are locally-owned businesses that want our community to grow and prosper; and have their voice heard on taxes, health insurance, and local and state issues.

TOP TIBA BUSINESSES
E2 Communications is owned by Tara Dimick. E2 a full service strategic planning company focused on effective and efficient communications in marketing, advertising, public relations, proposal and grant writing, board facilitation, and company and organizational training.

Kendall Construction, Inc. was started in 1994 by Richard and Sheri Kendall. Kendall Construction provides general, renovation, specialty and design-build construction. Their mission is to establish and maintain positive customer relationships by meeting and exceeding customer expectations in regard to quality craftsmanship, safety, budget and deadlines.

St. Francis Health Center has 378 licensed beds, a medical staff representing nearly all specialties, adult and youth volunteers and a thriving auxiliary. Skillfully integrating unparalleled technology in an environment steeped in Christian values and compassionate care, St. Francis and its employees have fostered a premier regional hospital featuring the newest medical innovations and state-of-the-art equipment.

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Washburn University student a contender for prestigious scholarship

Washburn University senior Garrett Love, of Montezuma, was recently nominated by the university to compete for the prestigious Rhodes Scholar Award.

“Garrett has excelled in the academic and extracurricular arenas and has distinguished himself as a leader,” said Robin Bowen, vice president of academic affairs. “He is a positive role model for other students and is very deserving of the nomination.”

Currently president of the Washburn Student Government Association, Love is, according to university archives, the first Washburn student to be nominated for the award in more than 100 years. In 1904, the first year nominations were accepted for the Rhodes, Washburn senior Frank Mohler was selected and completed his studies the next year at Oxford University. Merrill Templeton, a 1909 graduate, was selected for the honor, but became ill and had to withdraw before he began coursework in England in 1910. In 1910, Philip Whitcomb became the third Washburn student named a Rhodes Scholar. He began at Oxford in 1911.

Prior to being elected president of Washburn Student Government Association, Love served for two years as a senator. He currently is a member of the Kansas Board of Regents Student Advisory Council, a student representative of the Washburn Budget Reduction Task Force and the Washburn Strategic Planning Committee and is a member of the Topeka Heartland Visioning Steering Committee.

Love holds a 4.0 grade point average and is majoring in economics, management and finance. He was a member of the Washburn men’s basketball team for three years and was twice named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Presidential Scholar. His honors include membership in Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Mortar Board and Sagamore honor societies and participation in the Washburn Leadership Institute.

A Rhodes Scholarship provides the opportunity to study at Oxford University for two years, with all tuition fees paid and a living allowance provided. American Rhodes Scholars are selected from all over the nation to pursue a course of study of their own choosing at Oxford; students may work toward a master's degree or a second bachelor's degree. If named to the program, Love plans to research methods through which theories of justice and freedom of choice can be incorporated into the analysis of optimal taxation.

Established in 1902 through the will of English-born businessman and politician Cecil John Rhodes, the Rhodes Scholar Award is the oldest fellowship program in the world and is bestowed to only 90 students each year. A nominee must possess a high standard of intellectual and academic achievement, exhibit integrity of character, display interest in and respect for fellow beings and display the ability and desire to lead. Applicants must also demonstrate physical vigor that will enable them to make an effective contribution to the world around them, which can be achieved through participation and success in athletics.

St. Francis Physician Receives National Award

A national organization has recognized James J. Hamilton Jr., MD, FACS, a St. Francis physician, for his work in cancer care in 2008 by awarding him the State Chair Outstanding Performance Award in October, becoming just one of three physicians to receive the honor nationwide.

The Commission on Cancer, an affiliate of the American College of Surgeons, gives the honor, which recognizes individuals who provide extensive leadership and support to their physician volunteers and cancer programs in the state. They are collaborators, innovators, and experts working with cancer programs, professionals and state coalitions to improve the quality of cancer care.

The award is bestowed on individuals who exhibit excellence in the following areas:
Consistent and innovative communication methods used for maintaining relationships with the cancer liaison physicians
Support and initiation of Commission on Cancer activities at the state and regional Level
Collaboration with American College of Surgeons Chapter, American Cancer Society and Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1922, the Commission on Cancer is a national consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. Its members include 96 individuals who are either surgeons representing the American College of Surgeons or representatives from 46 national, professional organizations or Commission member organizations. These individuals direct the activities of the Commission through committee work.

Hamilton is chairman of the St. Francis Comprehensive Cancer Committee. He is board certified in general surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is employed at Tallgrass General, Vascular, Thoracic and Bariatric Surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at Harvard Medical School.

Sunflower Showdown Benefits Topeka Rescue Mission

Tomorrow night a very reliable indicator of the outcome of the “Sunflower Showdown” will be revealed. Clients of Wells Fargo Advisors will be bringing food items and other contributions to score points to show their loyalty for their favorite team—including KU, K-State, Washburn and Emporia State. In the past 5 years, the team with the most donations has also been the winner of the Sunflower Showdown between KU and K-State!


This year’s beneficiary is the Topeka Rescue Mission. As a warm up to the KU/K-State game on Saturday, Wells Fargo will be hosting a fun-filled event at the Great Overland Station between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm on November 4th. Clients of Wells Fargo will be greeted with much fanfare as they are enthusiastically cheered to see which team can bring in the most food pantry item donations and monetary contributions for the Topeka Rescue Mission, a non-profit agency dedicated to providing services to individuals and families in need or in crisis. The team that has the most points (for items and donations) at the end of the evening will have all contributions for the Rescue Mission made in on behalf of either KU, K-State, Emporia State or Washburn’s name.

For every food pantry item donated, the team will receive one point towards their score. Making a monetary donation scores a touchdown for 6 points. The team with the highest number of points will represent who has the best school and Rescue Mission spirit.

“We are proud members of the Topeka Community and are looking forward to the “Are you Ready for Some Football” challenge. We hope this will really help the Topeka Rescue Mission and the families they assist and that this event will be a fun and exciting way to kick off the pre-game rivalry”, says Neta Jeffus, Branch Manager of the Topeka Wells Fargo Advisors office. “We are looking forward to getting the teams rallied around the Topeka Rescue Mission”.

“We are excited about this event”, states Barry Feaker, Executive Director of the Topeka Rescue Mission. “Many families are in need right here in Topeka and this is a great way to show support of the Topeka Rescue Mission, the community, as well as team spirit”.

The event is expected to have well over 150 in attendance.

Local Pharmacy Achieves Health Care Quality Accreditation; Pharmacist Receives National Award

Topeka: An engraved plaque pledging to “Never Stop Improving” hangs in the owner’s office. Clearly it sums up Michael K. Conlin’s philosophy about his work, his patients and his business—Jayhawk Pharmacy and Patient Supply. There’s no question that his commitment to quality improvement has been instrumental in helping him achieve recent recognition of national significance and local notoriety.

For more than 20 years, Conlin, R.Ph., F.A.C.A., F.I.A.C.P., has been delivering personalized cu stomer service from behind the counter of Jayhawk Pharmacy. As a boy he sat in the original store and watched Pharmacist Bob Drumm deliver prescriptions to the folks in the Brookwood neighborhood. After graduating from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in 1978, Conlin returned to the community to work and later buy the Topeka company.

Jayhawk Pharmacy took the spotlight this summer in achieving the Award of Accreditation from the Health Care Quality Association. This recognition means the pharmacy successfully completed a yearlong process documenting their high level of consistent patient care. Beginning September 30, 2009, suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) must be accredited to continue to serve and bill Medicare Part B patients. The accreditation process included a three-day site visit during which credentialing staff held in-depth interviews with patients and medical providers regarding the quality of care provided by Jayhawk Pharmacy and Patient Supply.

The purpose of national accreditation is to ensure the highest quality of patient care is provided as well as state of the art medical and oxygen equipment to address all aspects of patient home care. In order to retain Medicare billing privileges, all DMEPOS suppliers must comply with the Medicare program's supplier standards and quality standards to become accredited. Nationally, the accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment, medical supplies, home dialysis supplies and equipment, therapeutic shoes, parenteral/enteral nutrition, transfusion medicine and prosthetic devices, and prosthetics and orthotics.

“At Jayhawk Pharmacy, our commitment has always been to our patients. We compete with mass merchandising, by doing what’s best for our individual patients,” Conlin said. “I saw the “never stop improving” phrase in a manufacturing plant in China. It stuck with me. I am dedicated to improving our business, our community. This national accreditation is improving service to our patients.”

The accreditation is only one of two national awards garnered by Jayhawk Pharmacy and Patient Supply and Conlin.

Last year, specialized credentials and outstanding customer service earned Conlin
The National Award for Innovative Pharmacy Practice in 2008 presented by the Kansas Pharmacist Association on behalf of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. The award is made to an association member who consistently demonstrates innovative pharmacy practices resulting in improved patient care.

Conlin’s nomination by pharmacists from throughout the state of Kansas noted his efforts in improving, broadening and diversifying the services that are provided by all Kansas community pharmacies providing individualized patient care. In addition to owning and operating Jayhawk Pharmacy, Conlin has been instrumental in providing durable medical equipment training to his community pharmacy colleagues throughout the Midwest. He also is nationally recognized as a Certified Menopause Educator by the North American Menopause Society and provides individualized patient hormone consultation to menopausal women throughout the Midwest.

Conlin is a Fellow of the American College of Apothecaries (F.A.C.A.) as well as a Fellow of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (F.IA.C.P.).

Jayhawk Pharmacy and Patient Supply has three locations in Topeka: 2860 SW Mission Woods—Clinical Pharmacy and Patient Supply; 6730 SW 29th—Custom Prescription Compounding; and 2620 SW 6th-- Medical Equipment and Patient Supplies.

3nd Annual Westboro Plaza Glow Shines Brighter Than Ever

Tomorrow night, there will be hundreds of glittering new lights winking in the Topeka sky. On Thursday, November 5, the Westboro Plaza will hold its third annual Westboro Plaza Glow, ushering in the holiday season.

Once again, the Westboro Mart will be the most festive spot in Topeka—filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays. Hear the Topeka High Jazz Band play holiday music amidst the twinkling lights, along with activities galore:

6:30 pm—activities begin
Glass blowing demonstrations at the Haute Shop
Surprise fun from Gizmo Pictures
Santa photos at Centerpiece Photography
Food vendors will be selling delicious treats

7:00 pm—lighting ceremony
The switch is thrown and hundreds of lights come ablaze

Merchants and galleries will be open until 9 pm to entertain customers and friends with prize drawings and treats of their own.

“The Plaza Glow is growing into the kickoff for Topeka’s holiday season,” said Pat Gideon of Sliver Lake Bank, and co-owner of The Westboro Mart. “We have a wonderful neighborhood and thriving arts culture here. Of course the night after the Plaza Glow is First Friday, so there’s much to see and do. We invite the whole community to join us.”

Porterfield’s Flowers is a business that’s been in the Westboro Mart since 1981. Owner David Porterfield also loves helping make the historic district shine even at holiday time. “The area is full of history—and was the first shopping center in the city. It just makes sense that we welcome the season right here in the Westboro Mart,” he said.

The Plaza Glow is the brainchild of Frank Johnson, DDS, whose office is on the northeast corner of Huntoon & Oakley. His early vision has caught on in the neighborhood and Plaza Glow is quickly becoming a Topeka tradition. The event is open to the public, with many free activities for all ages.

Heartland Visioning Announces Dates to Report Back to Community

As promised Heartland Visioning is reporting back to the community regarding what has occurred over the past year. You can join Heartland Visioning from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, 2009, in Washburn Room A in the Student Union at Washburn University or from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in the Rotunda of the Topeka and Shawnee County Library.

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, 20 years. Our community is defined as Shawnee County which includes: Auburn, Rossville, Topeka, Silver Lake, Willard, and unincorporated Shawnee County.

It has almost been one year since the release of the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan. Implementation began immediately and the Foundation Teams and Vision Partners have been working diligently to make the vision a reality.

Heartland Visioning will discuss the accomplishments of the past year and the community will have the opportunity to interact with Vision Partners and Foundation Team members from each of the six Foundations: Education, Quality of Life, Infrastructure, Economic Development, Private Sector Leadership and Government. The community will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding strategies that are being worked on and the priorities that each Foundation Team has set for the future. In addition, the community will have the chance to provide Heartland Visioning with feedback.

We hope that you can join us to learn more about the exciting things that are taking place in Topeka and Shawnee County.

MIRACLE ON KANSAS AVENUE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE CUTTING

The Community Christmas Tree has been chosen! After much deliberation, the Westar Energy Women's Association in conjunction with the Miracle on Kansas Avenue Committee has chosen a tree.

The 2009 Christmas Tree is currently located in rural Shawnee County and belongs to Ms. Jean Riley. A crew from Westar will be cutting it down on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 between 9:00 and 10:00 am.

The tree will then find its downtown home at the Westar Energy building at 818 S. Kansas Avenue. The tree will, again, be decorated by the Westar Energy Women's Association beginning Sunday, November 8, 2009 and the official tree lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30 pm on November 28, 2009. The Miracle on Kansas Avenue Christmas parade will kick off shortly thereafter, at 6:00 pm.

Topeka Home Builders Association Hosts Nationally Recognized

The Topeka Home Builders Association is proud to announce that for the first time in Topeka, we are hosting the National Association of Home Builders Professional Designation of Certified Green Professional (CGP) . Nineteen (19) area Builders, Remodelers, Heating and A/C companies, Realtors, City Officials, and Home Energy Auditors are attending this three day course to earn a professional, nationally recognized designation for Green Building.

Attendees at this conference will learn how green homes provide buyers with lower maintenance, a more comfortable indoor environ­ment and greater long-term value. Techniques are also discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with energy and resource efficiency. This three day course for building professionals discuss­es strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction.

Dawn Wright, CEO of Topeka Home Builders Association, states “ We are very excited to be able to bring this level of education to local companies, that are striving to become more educated on the process of green building. This professional designation of CGP from the National Association of Home Builders is the highest level of green building education that a professional in the building industry can receive. This is also the first time that Topeka has hosted a nationally designated course. The National Association of Home Builders University of Housing also has professional designations for Certified Graduate Builder (CGB), Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS).”