A Night of Laughter

Thursday evening, my husband Brandon and I attended the Last Comic Standing Tour at Topeka Performing Arts Center. It was great!

We had a very enjoyable evening watching the top four contestants and the host of this year’s Last Comic Standing season perform 25-minute sets each. The comedians were hilarious, and I really appreciated the way they all made certain to include the making fun of the Phelps clan in each of their acts. It really proved that visitors to Topeka do realize that the Phelps and their backwards thinking are not characteristic of the rest of us.

Being an intentional Topekan

One of the frequent things heard (and I’ve been one to say it) is that there is nothing to do in Topeka. Being a part of this group has made me ponder how I think about Topeka. So, last month I made a choice to rediscover Topeka. Here is what I’ve enjoyed:

  • Marion Lane Candles on Kansas Ave - I’d always wanted to go, but never really made the effort to go there. It is a beautiful shop and has really lovely staff people. My home is now full of candles that were locally made.
  • Millennium Cafe in the Topeka & Shawnee County Library - I’ve starting going there about once a month to have lunch with friends. It’s not far from my house and offers a healthy alternative to what I usually consume :)
  • Helen Hocker Theater - Another place I’ve meant to go. My husband, brother-in-law and his wife and I enjoyed an afternoon of a fun musical filled with ’80s music and references… Bueller, Bueller…. it was fun!
  • Annie’s Place - this is a usual favorite, but a Topeka-specific restaurant.
  • Brickyard Barn Inn - I attended a Chamber Fast Forward Event that was held there this month. It is a beautiful, serene place. The food’s good too. (Yep! I enjoy food!)
  • Classic Bean - I met a dear friend there about a week ago. I’m not a big coffee drinker (but I enjoy the smell!).
  • The Blind Tiger - a marketing information meeting was hosted by the Blind Tiger. Yummy sandwich and fun atmosphere.
  • Collins Park - Independence Day parade… it’s become a bit of a tradition in the family.
  • Topeka West High - I attended one of the Heartland Visioning Community meetings there. Have you taken the time to get involved?

Places on my list to go to this month:

  • Lily’s - it’s a new specialty shop for women in the Gage Shopping Center. I plan on checking it out.
  • Brick Oven - It’s seems so long since I’ve gone there. (Don’t be fooled, this is not a chain.) I need to find an excuse to go… any takers?
  • Boss Hawg’s - I’m so glad that Fast Forward will be held there this month.

My challenge to you is to find what Topeka holds for you. True, some things may be a bit off the beaten path. But I dare you to stop the next time you’re thinking of heading out of town for something, to take pause and check to see if what you are looking for might just be right around the corner.

  • denise
  • July 14th, 2008
  • 17 Comments    
  • Getting Involved, Vision
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