Kanza Bowl

So often I hear, as I stroll about Topeka, that there is nothing to do in this city.  I am disappointed when I hear this, because there are so many organizations working very hard to bring events and activities to Topeka.  The hard work of one of these organizations has paid off in 2009. 

On December 5, 2009 Topeka, KS will host a bowl game.  It is a Division 2 bowl game, but a bowl game nonetheless.  At 1pm, the first annual Kanza Bowl kicks off with Nebraska at Omaha playing West Texas A&M University at Hummer Sports Park, 501 Sports Park Drive, Topeka, KS. 

Not only do visitors and locals get to watch a great football game on Saturday afternoon, but they can also purchase tickets to attend a banquet on Friday December 4 at the Ramada Inn in downtown Topeka.  Read the rest of this entry »

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Last year was my first Thanksgiving back in Topeka (we moved back the weekend after Thanksgiving in 2007).  I was listening to the radio a few weeks before Thanksgiving and heard of the need for volunteers for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  I wondered what this event was and how I could help.  I called the number, offered to volunteer, and reported for duty on Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving.  We were a group charged with setting up the dining hall.  First a couple of kids and I filled the sugar/sweeter boxes and set one on each table.  Then some Girl Scouts and I set out place-mats and centerpieces.  I was only there for a few hours, but it felt good to be part of something so huge. 

In 2008, the Community Thanksgiving Dinner served 975 meals eaten inside Ag Hall, 430 meals were served to-go,  and delivered 1,320 meals (according to CJOnline).  This year’s dinner is on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 26th) from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Agricultural Hall (Kansas Expocentre).  Every community member is welcome (no income requirement) to join the community for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Read the rest of this entry »

Topeka.org: City, Agencies Announce 4th Annual “Snow Relief Team” Partnership

The City of Topeka and two area agencies have joined together to provide limited snow removal service for older citizens and those with a disability who qualify.

 The City of Topeka, the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, and the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center announced today the 4th Annual “Snow Relief Team.” The team will consist of five or six crews of women inmates from the Topeka Correctional Facility, and two male inmate crews from Shawnee County Department of Corrections.  Their task will be to remove snow on driveways and public sidewalks adjacent to properties of qualifying Topekans. Read the rest of this entry »

Helping Those in Need this Holiday Season

For the second year, TransformTopeka will be adopting families for Christmas from the United Way’s Christmas Bureau, and we’d like your help! With all of the hustle and bustle this time of year, we understand that it’s difficult to get all of your own Christmas shopping taken care of – let alone coordinating and purchasing items to donate to another family. We’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to make a difference in the lives of your fellow Topekans this holiday season!

As a group, TransformTopeka will collect money from anyone that’s interested in helping, contact the adopted families to get confirm their wish list, go shopping, do the wrapping and coordinate delivery of all presents and meals in time for everyone to have a Merry Christmas. And, to be as transparent as possible, we’ll blog and Facebook our progress all along the way.

So how can you help? Make a donation to our PayPal account by clicking the link below. When you get to the page to review your payment, add “Christmas Bureau” in the area for special instructions for the seller. You can also mail a check to: TransformTopeka, 1324 SE Monroe, Topeka, KS 66612 or hand it to any one of our board members. We’ll accept funds up through Tuesday, December 1, before determining how many families we’re be able to help.

Want to check our progress? Visit our website frequently as we’ll be updating our collection total on a regular basis.


Topeka.org: MacVicar Project Completion Celebrated

The completion of the MacVicar Avenue widening project was celebrated Monday during a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony at the MacVicar and Story Street intersection.

The $6.9 million project was completed 15 working days early and on budget. The project included widening the street from two to five lanes and relocating a major water main. Two lanes of traffic were maintained for all but five days during the nearly 19 months it was under reconstruction. Read the rest of this entry »