2010-11 the Argo

Advertisement paid for by Rizki Aljupri

150 years of Topeka Arts & Entertainment

2

The Argo Wednesday, March 2, 2011

In this edition of the Argo:

Argonauts Contact Us

Phone: (785) 670-2506 Fax: (785) 670-1131 www.washburnreview.org Print Editor-in-Chief Regina Budden Online Editor-in-Chief Josh Rouse Advertising Manager Ashley Shepard

Online

Page 5

Page 10-11 Page 17

Yes, that’s right. This week, the News, Sports and Opinion sections of Issue 20 have moved online. Enjoy your Argo.

Explore the history of Topeka entertainment at the Jayhawk Theatre downtown.

Visually explore the rich history of parks and their role in the culture of Topeka.

COVER

Cover designed by Linnzi Fusco

This Argo focuses on the historical culture of arts and entertainment in Topeka.

We take our metaphorical hats off to the forerunners of art, theater and food in this city.

The Argo is a monthly insert published by the staff of the Washburn Review for coverage of Arts & Entertainment. To get in touch with the Washburn Review newsroom, please call (785) 670-2506 or e-mail at wureview@gmail.com. We welcome letters to the editor. Please send them in e-mail format to regina. budden@washburn.edu.

© The Argo Copyright 2011

NOW LEASING:

Ideal student living. One block from Washburn campus. Four bedrooms, two baths. Washer/Dryer included.

Call: 785-457-2812

President’s Press -paid for byWSGA-

Hey everyone! We hope you are having a fabulous week so far!

There is a lot going on at Washburn, so try not to miss out! :) First of all, it is that time of year and we are excited that elections for WSGA are NEXT week!

Please come meet the presidential and vice presidential candidates at the Washburn Review Debate tomorrow night at 6:00pm at the Mabee Library. There will be pizza!!

Then, next Monday and Tuesday, we will be having public forums on tuition and our budget situation. Both forums will be held in the Kansas Room in Memorial Union. The forum Monday will begin at 12:00pm, then the forum on

Tuesday will be held at 5:30pm.

There will be food and refreshments at both, so come let your voice be heard! Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there.

Also, freshman and seniors, please take the NSSE Survey if you have not done so yet. Search your Washburn email for emails from Dr. Farley and myself. There you will find the link for the NSSE. The survey only takes about 15 minutes, and you are automatically entered to win one of 2 iPads! Help Washburn and win a chance at a FREE iPad! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all of your support and contributions toward Can Emporia. We are proud to say that we raised over

Read about how the Shriners are bringing in the clowns to support their philanthropy.

Free food 6 p.m. March 3

Mabee Library 25,000 cans to go to our Topeka community this year! We could not have done this without you!

Have a great rest of your week! We both had fun at the Who’s Who Awards last night, so thank you Student Activities & Greek Life for putting on an amazing event.

GO BODS!!!! :) Caley Onek and Lucas Mullin Student Body President and Vice President

News Editor Richard Kelly Sports Editor Kate Hampson Argo Editor Linnzi Fusco Page Design Regina Budden • Linnzi Fusco • Ryan Hodges • Maggie Pilcher • Josh Rouse Photo Editor Tesa DeForest Copy Editors Robert Burkett • Kate Hampson • ReAnne Wentz Writers Michelle Boltz • Regina Budden • Robert Burkett • Brian Dulle • Kate Fechter • Richard Kelly • Tricia Peterson Photographers Regina Budden • Tesa Deforest • Linnzi Fusco • Mike Goehring • Bryce Grammer • Anthony Richardson • Matt Wilper Advertising Staff Tesa DeForest • Anna Henry • Kate Hampson Business Manager Scott Moser Adviser Regina Cassell

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo 3

Silents are golden at Kansas Film Festival

15th KSFF displays Academy Award Regina Budden WASHBURN REVIEW

Last weekend, as the attendees of the Kansas Silent Film Festival milled about in White Concert Hall, the oldest figure present watched from a strange perspective: a little golden man behind a plastic glass case.

This, an Oscar that predates the nickname, is from the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, awarded to commemorate the distinguished achievement and adaptation of Seventh Heaven by Benjamin Glazer, one of the writers.

“That was when [the Oscar] was called an ‘Academy Award figurine’,” said Denise Morrison, the film historian from Kansas City who was charged with installing the figurine in its plastic glass covering.

This year’s film festival took its theme from the installation of the figurine, and all the films shown were Academy Award winners, with the only exception of “A Thief Catcher,” which was played because it was a film thought to be lost, and the only known print was discovered last year at an antique sale.

In all the years that the festival has taken place, this is the first year that there has been a theme, said Bill Shaffer, a director and

producer at KTWU, who has directed 13 of the 15 festivals.

“This has been one of the best audience responses that we’ve probably ever had,” said Shaffer. Though they may try to stick with a theme in the future, it worked out especially well this year as a way to celebrate the 15th KSFF. The KSFF is always a unique event, however, with the majority of the films being shown on actual reel instead of DVD or VHS. Also, the films are accompanied by live music, as they were back in their heydays.

“Everybody, when they think silent movies they think ‘Dead silence? How much fun is that going to be to watch?’ But no, they don’t work that way, they always had musical accompaniment,” said Shaffer. This year the Mont Alto Orchestra as well as other local musicians from the Topeka and Kansas City area provided the accompaniment for the pictures.

Friday night, comedy night, kicked off the three-day festival with “Speedy,” the last silent film done by comedian Harold Lloyd.

Annette D’Agostino Lloyd, a biographer of the comic icon and a New York native, said that although this is her first KSFF, it wouldn’t be her last.

“I love being around peo-

Photo by Anthony Richardson, Washburn Review

Time warp: A festival attendee browses the film-to-DVD merchandise at the festival. Many of these films were previously believed to have been lost forever.

Photos by Regina Budden and Anthony Richardson, Washburn Review

Little golden man: Denise Morrison, a film historian from Kansas City, Mo., holds up the Academy Award figurine to show the display placard, which was located on the bottom in the early days of film competition instead of on the front.

The figurine was on loan from the academy and is from the first award ceremony hosted in 1929. ple who appreciate these classic films as much as I do,” said Lloyd. “It’s marvelous, too, to be able to speak to them because it allows me to share my passion for Harold and silent film. It’s tremendous that Washburn University has done this and hosts it and allows us to traipse around and be immersed in the 20s for a few days.”

Lloyd said that one of her favorite things about film is that it is like a time capsule, preserving images of fashions, cars and cultures that don’t exist anymore.

“Preserving [that time] and remembering it is what makes it dear to us and keeps it alive,” said Lloyd. “You can hear people laughing at something that happened 80 years ago and that’s great, that’s cool.”

Shaffer said that generally, the films that draw the biggest crowds are the comedies, but that this year they had quite a few dramas that had made an impact as well.

One, “The Last Command,” made a particular impression that

Shaffer said set the tone for the feature film of the evening, “Seventh Heaven.” “ [‘The Last Command’] is a picture that draws you in, it just pulls you into it, and toward the very end, the film broke,” said Shaffer, a rare occurrence that had the festival directors on their toes. “But that audience didn’t go away. They held on until the last minutes of the show came on and finally they got to finish it.”

As “Seventh Heaven” played, attendees from New York to California silenced their cell phones and wrapped themselves in the film, introduced by David Shepard, a film preservationist and voting member of the academy who worked on the restoration of the film 10 or 15 years ago.

“I will tell you that in the hands of some other director, this film could have been really awful,” said Shepard of the film’s highly dramatic plot. “But in the hands of [‘Seventh Heaven’ director Frank] Borzage, the piece of equipment you are going to re-

quire to enjoy this film is a very absorbent handkerchief.”

The festival lasted through Sunday, another KSFF first, and came to a close with the playing of “Wings,” the story of a WWI fighter pilot and his love, which was the first Best Picture Academy Award winner.

As the festival continues to grow in popularity, both locally and nationally, Shaffer said he looks forward to future years of sharing what has become a deep passion for he and the volunteers who assist with the festival every year.

“It’s just fascinating to share the era with people and to show them these movies that are still good still vibrant still funny still alive and still important in this day and age.”

Regina Budden is a senior mass media major. Reach her at regina.budden@washburn.edu.

4

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Give my regards to Topeka Theatre Robert Burkett WASHBURN REVIEW

While New Crawford was a moderately York City has wealthy man when once again B r o a d w a y the opera house, the crown jewel and Chicago to his theatre collection, burned has the The- down. atre District,

At that same time, a new so too has To- phenomenon that swept across peka enjoyed a the United States finally came to rich tradition of Topeka in the form of nickelodethe performing ons. Deriving their name from arts. the cost of admittance, a nickel, When Topeka the first forms of movies sprang was founded in up and found homes in nearly 1854, the original two-dozen different movie thefounders of the city aters throughout Topeka. believed in a strong While today many people arts community as a rent movies or watch television, pillar of the city. Deni- if one wanted to see a “bigzens of the city would per- screen” act, then going to one of form various plays in some the many theatres in town was of the local watering holes the only choice. With the averand traveling troupes came age movie house holding only through the 20-30 customcapital city “ ers, the ability as early as support sevWe give roughly 2,000 to 1868. eral theatres at people a reason to In the same time 1880, Lester was something come downtown as a Crawford more managecommunity. purchased able then. the old In 1926, Costa TheCrosby - Erin Aldrige the ater, which brothers, a Marketing Manager stood where family that Topeka Performing Arts Center owned the lothe Com-

Photos courtesy of Topeka Shawnee County Public Library and TPAC.

merce Bank building is today, and renamed it the Crawford Opera house. Just 90 days after its opening, the building burned in what the Topeka Capital Newspaper would term, “a fiendish act of destruction.”

“They never were able to find out what happened then,” said Doug Wallace, local historian. “Most, though, suspected some sort of arson and the newspapers weren’t shy about saying so.”

The community rallied around Crawford and help rebuild the opera house. In the following decade Crawford built a monopoly on the theater industry buying up the Grand, Novelty and Majestic theatres in downtown Topeka. By 1906

cal department store, decided to get into entertainment as a way to draw customers to their business.

“The Jayhawk Theatre came about as a way to help them continue to be the tops in the department store business at that time,” said Wallace. “They originally spent $250,000 on building the theatre and upon completion, touted it as just as good if not better than pleasure palaces on Broadway.”

Eventually, the advancement of technologies would lead to the advent of the modern movie industry and with it the ascent of the movie theater. In Topeka, the Kaw movie theater, formerly the Fox-Grand became the center of the movie going experience in the 1960s. This lasted until the creation of Fox Whitlakes

”

theaters and then eventually the Westridge Six and Eight theaters and culminating in today’s state-of-the-art Hollywood 14 theaters.

While the masses flocked to the movies, the city still embraced the old theater with the creation of the Topeka Auditorium in 1940. Taking over the space at the corner of Eighth Street and Quincy Street, the building originally started as a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Completed just before the start of World War II, the building hosted performances that ranged anywhere from Marshall’s Civic Band to Kansas State High School basketball tournaments.

As the decades passed and the building fell into disrepair, the community looked to re-envision what the building could be. In 1987, the auditorium was renamed the Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Topeka Performing Arts Center after a successful capital raising campaign that collected $2.7 million to give the facility a new lease on life.

“Since the building started out in its new role as TPAC, it’s been host to some incredible events that have ranged from comedians like Ron White to some of the best performances in the history of the Topeka Symphony,” said Erin Aldridge, Topeka Performing Arts Center marketing manager.

Looking forward, Aldridge sees the role of TPAC as one of interest in the efforts to bring life back to the downtown area of Topeka.

“We can act as an anchor to this area,” said Aldridge. “We give roughly 2,000 people a reason to come downtown as a community.”

Robert Burkett is a senior mass media major. Reach him at robert.burkett@washburn.edu.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo

Jayhawk restoration unites past, future Brian Dulle WASHBURN REVIEW When it opened in August 1926, the Jayhawk Theatre was a major attraction in downtown Topeka. It is important historically as being part of an early “mall” development. The theater could seat an audience of 1,500 people. A balcony capable of holding 650 faces the stage gave every person in the theatre “the best seat in the house.”

E.H. Crosby of the Crosby Department Store, formerly located across the block on Kansas Avenue, built the Jayhawk Hotel, now the Jayhawk Tower, two restaurants in the hotel and the adjoining Jayhawk Theatre, connecting it all with the Jayhawk Walk which featured small shops and windows showing things passersby could buy at Crosby’s.

“It was a mini-mall before anyone even came up with minimalls,” said Lawrence Tenopir member of the board of the Historic Jayhawk Theatre.

Thomas Williamson, best known as the architect of Topeka High School, was the supervising architect of the theater. The theater is architecturally significant as a prototype for more than 300 theaters the Boller Brothers (noted theatre designers from Kansas City) designed which included air conditioning, steel and concrete structure with a free standing balcony and the fire exits down front. It was one of the first theaters to have a balcony with no support on the bottom.

It was one of the first “airrefrigerated” theater, designed to keep audiences cool. The Jayhawk was primarily a movie palace, but performers loved playing the Jayhawk in the summer because it was air conditioned.

Bob Hope and George Burns were among many of the famous people who performed at the Jayhawk.

“We are trying to get volunteers to research year by year to tell us what was going on at the theater and it will be able to answer some more questions,” said Tenopir.

“It was not only important for its fireproof capabilities but it was incredibly comfortable and popular,” said Tenopir.

Artistically, the theater’s déIn May 1976, the curtain cor incorporates Kansas-centric closed on the Jayhawk Theatre art. The Kansas-themed mural for the last time, after 50 years and the stylized Jayhawks and of motion picture and stage ensunflowers on the proscenium tertainment. arch. Each Jayhawk was not cast “Once White Lakes was but was individually carved in built, department stores began place on the arch. moving away. Then you had The career of musician Gyp- Fairlawn Plaza and all the busisy Rose Lee was started when her nesses on Wanamaker, where sister, star of the show produced back in the 1960s downtown Toby their Mama Rose, eloped with peka was the only place to be,” another cast member on Dec. 31, said Tenopir.

1928, after their last The theater performance at the is now owned by THEATER Jayhawk.

Mama Historic Jayhawk Rose and Gypsy RESTORATION Theatre, Inc., a nonwent home to Washprofit organization ington where Mama originated governed by a volunteer board of a new show starring Gypsy who directors. The board’s main goal eventually moved from vaude- in the upcoming years is to raise ville to burlesque. $7 million dollars to renovate the The Jayhawk featured both theater. an orchestra pit and a huge, the“Every polling that has been atre organ. Theatre audiences done recently shows that the Jayenjoyed years of WIBW live hawk is one of the top things the radio broadcasts, vaudeville per- community wants done downformances and the first on stage town,” said Tenopir. performance by famous jazz The restoration and renostylist Marilyn Maye. vation will make The Jayhawk “We would like to get her to usable as a live performance come back and perform to help presentation house as well as raise money because she loved hosting business meetings, the Jayhawk,” said Tenopir. films, lectures and social gath-

erings. Restoring the interior to meet building codes will include new lighting, sound, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.

There is a “Take Your Seat Campaign” being launched that helps provide the opportunity to help restore and preserve the theater. Contributors receive the benefits of having their name or designated name permanently attached to a theater chair, name or designated name cast in bronze in the Jayhawk Theatre lobby and the name will be linked to the website donor library.

On April 15 Washburn University Student Media is holding a fundraiser for the Jayhawk Theatre. Details are to be announced.

It is hoped that the Jayhawk Theatre will be a popular and highly utilized destination at the core of downtown Topeka. It will have the charm of the past with the technology of the future.

Brian Dulle is junior mass media major. Reach him at brian. dulle@washburn.edu.

Image courtesy of Topeka Shawnee County Public Library

In its earliest stages: A sign represents the opening of the now historic Jayhawk Theatre. While it has been scarcely used since May of 1976, current restorations hope to revitalize its significance in the Topeka area.

Photos by Bryce Grammer, Washburn Review

5

6

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

‘The Trap’ turns 18 Chambers: Boobie Trap keeps positive vibe Kate Fechter WASHBURN REVIEW

years, DawnMarie Chambers.

“It was owned by Brian’s father before he took over,” said The Boobie Trap Bar, locat- DawnMarie Chambers. “When ed at Sixth Avenue and Wash- I came on the scene in 1997, we burn Avenue, is a staple in the were doing a lot of karaoke and Topeka local music scene. The a lot of theme parties. We also bar recently celebrated its 18th did dollar Sunday nights. I had year of being in business. never bartended before in my The Boobie Trap, which is life. I learned really quick and owned by Topeka resident Bri- how to do it really fast.” an Chambers, celebrated their The bar began showcasing 18th anniversary on Saturday live bands in 2003 and 2004.

Feb. 19.

DawnMarie “We’ve got “ Chambers says the Resistance It’s a great, she is interested Dance Party friendly in finding a way show, which to incorporate a is normally on atmosphere and a possible starvThursdays,” said good music scene. ing artist show Chris Chestto help promote nut, doorman.

- Chris Chestnut local art as “There are live Boobie Trap doorman well.

DJs, dancers and “It’s a great, ” friendly atmopeople having a good time hanging out.” sphere and a good music scene,” There was also a large ban- said Chestnut. “You always ner along the hallway where pa- have people getting together trons could write their congrat- trying to get different music or ulations or other messages to promotions going, benefit conChambers. Chambers runs the certs and great times.” bar with his wife of nine The Boobie Trap Bar has a website on which Chambers has posted a “rockumentary,” which talks about the bar. On the video, he says the name of the bar came from a truck driver who came in. He also talks about being a musician before owning the bar and how that influenced him.

“One of the focuses for me has been on the lives of the kids as musicians, as well as the kids who come in,” said Chambers.

“I work hard to make this go, along with a lot of other people; all the bands and the fans who come out, and this makes me proud.”

Washburn alumnus Michael Gilmore, who graduated in 2008 with a degree in French, has been frequenting the BooBrian Chambers, owner of the bie Trap for about five years.

Boobie Trap Bar, prides himself on “It’s a fun place to be,” said providing live music for Topeka.

Gilmore. “It’s a good place to

Photos courtesy of Washburn Review archive

Happy 18th: The Boobie Trap, 6th and Washburn, has been a staple in the local music scene. Owner Brian Chambers hopes to make his bar a positive place for musicians. see bands.”

Brian Chambers is aware of the negative view the bar business can receive and tries to change this by making his bar a positive place for young musicians and young people in general.

“I hope that I’ve had a positive impact,” said Brian Chambers. “A lot of people look at the bar business in a bad way and I’ve tried to keep it in a positive way. I’m proud of what we do here.”

For more information on the bar and upcoming events, as well

as to watch Chambers video, go to www.boobietrapbar.com.

Kate Fechter is a junior art and psychology major. Reach her at kate. fechter-stamper@washburn.edu.

Collection Bureau of Kansas is

LOOKING for collectors.

Are YOU looking for a full or part time job that leaves your nights and weekends free?

Can YOU work in a fast paced, laid back, and fun work environment?

785-228-6612 or email aubrey@cbofks.com

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo

7

KC band quickly developing fan notoriety Richard Kelly WASHBURN REVIEW

show in Kansas City with Emery on March 10. The Color Morale will be releasing its new A Sequence of Ghosts album on March 8, so ASOG (ASOG) has less than a year’s will likely develop a relatively experience, but is proving it is a strong, new fan base because of force to be reckoned with. the show.

The band, whose Facebook But the band knows they page describes its music as hard- have to just go out and play and core, ambient and Christian com- focus less on the size of the aubines gritty screamed vocals with dience. melodic and atmospheric guitar “We’re all super psyched work. Listeners may be able to to be playing larger shows but hear sounds of early Oceana and honestly, we’re going to treat Decoder when they give their a crowd of 300 the same as a first EP a spin. crowd of five,” said Steffen.

Members Will Steffen and “Don’t get me wrong, playing Zane Callister, who play drums huge shows is awesome and a and guitar huge blessing, respectively, “ and it’s aweknow the to play Our loyalty is to the some band has a with bands we people who give us wide musical all grew up on taste but says like Emery, but a chance. they do draw one fan is just from specific as important as bands.

300.”

- Will Steffen “We love The band every genre recently finDrummer, A Sequence of of music and ished a tour Ghosts listen to just with Harp and about everyLyre, another ” thing on a day rising band, to day basis,” the band said col- with one of its dates bringing lectively. “As far as our true inspi- them to Salina, Kan., where ration in this band goes, I would ASOG played at the Indian Rock say we take a lot from bands like Lodge.

Life in Your Way and other spiriASOG also had the opportutually motivated bands.” nity to record a new five-track EP The band member’s also said in February with producer Shane their faith plays an important part Frisby, who has also worked with in the band but isn’t all they fo- The Ghost Inside and Bury Your cus on when they perform.

Dead.

“Worshiping God isn’t our Working with a producer of excuse to play in a band, it’s our that caliber helped the band work motivation,” said Steffen. “So on their sound, according to Stefyeah, I’d say our Facebook is fen. pretty spot on. Were passionate “In my opinion we’ve about people and our music and matured as a band and really we want to use that to bring ev- found our sound,” said Steffen. erything we love to one place.”

“There’s a lot more energy and While living in the Kansas drive on this EP compared to the City area, the band formed in last one.”

April, 2010 and released their Ultimately, with their presfirst EP, which was self-titled, in ence being seen in such a short May, 2010. While it only con- time, the band has quickly realsisted of three songs, ASOG was ized how lucky they already are. able to make enough impact to “Our loyalty is to the people tour much of the United States who give us a chance,” said Stefsince its release and has upcom- fen. “We owe them so much for ing shows which include per- all of the support we’ve already forming with The Color Morale, gotten as such a young band.”

Emery, and To Speak of Wolves.

The band’s show in Wichita Richard Kelly is a junior mass mewith The Color Morale on March dia/social work major. Reach him at 7 is followed quickly by their richard.kelly@washburn.edu

Band photo and logo courtesy of A Sequence of Ghosts

8

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Speck’s burgers worth their weight Tricia Peterson WASHBURN REVIEW

Home of the three-pound burger, Speck’s has been a part of Topeka for 54 years.

The three pounder was introduced in 1990, and is available today for free if you can finish the entire thing with a heaping plate of crispy, homemade french fries all in 45 minutes. If you aren’t feeling so adventurous bring some friends to share the 12 burger patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle all on their very own home-baked bun for $20.99. Patrons can add 12 slices of American cheese for $2 more.

In 1957, Franklin “Speck” Benge began running The Seabrook Tavern, but wasn’t planning on doing it for long. However, Speck made a name for himself quickly and people started calling it “Speck’s” instead of Seabrook Tavern. Speck’s daughter, Debbie Maichel bought the bar from him when Speck got sick with cancer, and he passed away in February, 1988.

Maichel decided to add a kitchen and a menu in 1990, which is also when the three pound burger was introduced to Topeka. She says many people have tried to complete the behemoth, both locals as well as people who heard about it from out of town. Only one person has been able to complete the challenge.

In 2009, she changed the name from

Seabrook Tavern to Speck’s.

“Really everybody called it Speck’s anyway,” said Maichel.

“Even all of our ball shirts always said ‘Speck’s’.”

Speck’s is home to The Topeka Rugby Club. They come to Speck’s and Saturday after home games to eat and drink with the visiting team. The Topeka Rugby Football Club at Washburn University participates with the club as well, says Shane Kennedy, a Washburn student and president of the Topeka Rugby Football Club, he is on the team as well as in the club. If you visit Speck’s you can check out their collection of trophies and plaques from their winnings as well as view the shoes they make each other drink out of when they mess up a rugby song or spill a beer.

“Usually games are at 2 [p.m.] and the teams usually arrive at specks around 4:30-ish,” said Kennedy. “Speck’s has supported Topeka Rugby [Football Club] for a long while as I understand.”

The Topeka Golden Giants is a fairly new base- ball team to Topeka, made up of college or high school age men, mostly local. Speck’s will sponsor and run the concession

stands at all of their games this summer at Shawnee Lake. The first game of the season will be June 1 this year and is the second annual “Jerry Robertson Classic,” where The Washburn Alumni All-Stars play against the Golden Giants. This game is a fundraiser for the Golden Giants, in memory of Jerry Robertson, a former Major League Baseball pitcher from Kansas, who was killed in a car accident in 1996.

“We are really excited about doing the Golden Giants here,” said Maichel. “It will be different!”

Maichel has tried to keep the traditions going at Speck’s, in order to keep the spirit of her father alive. With times changing it is hard to keep most things going, like the turtle hunts they used to organize. They would all gather up, throw money into the pot, grab a cooler full of beer and go turtle hunting to see who could get the biggest one.

Afterwards, or within the next couple days they would all get together again and cook the turtles for dinner. If anybody wanted to bring in any other wild-caught game they were welcome to do so. This is one of the traditions that can’t be celebrated anymore, with food safety laws changing all the time.

Maichel says they do try to keep the tradition going in a way, sometimes they have cat fish fries. She gets pounds of fish and breads it all in house, and fries them one day.

To keep the tradition she also makes the fried breadsticks that were always present at when they ate the turtles from the turtle hunts.

W h e n people ask Maichel, “How do you do something like this?”

Courtesy of Bob Jennings

All in the family: Franklin “Speck” Benge and his wife, Lou, stand in front of the Seabrook Tavern, which opened in 1957. In 2009, his daughter Deb Maichel, who now runs the tavern, changed it to Speck’s in his honor.

She explains that it is something that a lot of people likes and that always works.

“We still try to keep traditions going, like from my dad,” says Maichel. “It’s a big thing you know.”

Although some traditions have been lost, Maichel has added new things as well, including liquor and expanded hours.

With the name change, business dropped off slightly, but once people realized it was the same people, where nothing had changed, they kept coming back for more. At Speck’s, they claim

everybody knows your name.

To check out more of their history, see more pictures of the owners, patrons and food, visit specksbarandgrill.com or their Facebook page where they advertise what is going on at Speck’s.

Tricia Peterson is a sophomore mass media major. Reach her at patricia.peterson@washburn. edu.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo

9

College Hill holds strong history, unknown future Michelle Boltz WASHBURN REVIEW

College Hill neighborhood in Topeka has a long, rich story that changed drastically throughout its history.

College Hill the birthplace of the Shawnee County Historical Society, and is one of Topeka’s oldest historical neighborhoods. The origin behind the name is that the Washburn Campus, later called Washburn University, was 40 feet higher than downtown Topeka. Hence, the area was called College Hill.

Starting in 1926, the area was the home of Topeka Fire Station No. 5 at 1401 S.W. Lane, until it moved to its current location at the corner of 17th Street and Topeka Boulevard in 1931. The fire station is no longer in use. Next to take up residence in the area was the Co-Ed Theater, the first theater in Topeka in a residential area, which ran from 1937 to 1955. The first movie shown there was “Café Metropole” starring Loretta Young on Oct. 16, 1937. The theater was divided into three sections, and seated about 600 people. The last occupants in the building were Roto-Rooter and Latta-Whitlow.

Between the 1940s and the mid 1990s, College Hill was a place of commerce, with several local businesses such as a hardware store and a tin sign shop that created both the Jayhawk Tower and the Chief Drive-In neon signs, both which are still in use today.

The Chief Drive-In sign is currently located by Wal-Mart’s south location on southwest 37th Street. There was also a livery stable where horseshoes were made, College Hill Grocery at 15th Street and Lane Street, a drug store and a tire business. College Hill had one of Topeka’s first shopping centers, Elmhurst Plaza. College Hill had 35 businesses at that time.

The residential neighborhood evolved during the 19th and 20th centuries. College Hill was one of Topeka’s first suburban developments. To-

College Hill, 2006

College Hill, 2009 Photo courtesy of Cindy Escalante, Topeka Public Works

Changes: Topeka’s College Hill area has a long history within the community, dating back to 1926. Despite revitalization efforts, the area has been in a steady decline. peka once had a trolley that made a U-Turn at 15th Street and Lane Street. To this day, College Avenue is still as wide as when the trolley went toward Washburn University.

A lot of local businesses got their start in the College Hill area. Glory Days Pizza started between 14th and 15th streets and Lane Street, alongside El Gringo Restaurant.

Grace’s Liquor Store also got their start there until they moved to their current location on 21st Street and Randolph Street. Team Sporting Goods was there until moving to 17th Street and Medford Avenue.

At that time, College Hill was a place to go dance, play darts or pool, or have a tall cold one with friends. Some of the local bands that were known to play in the College Hill area were WARLOK, Klusterfux, Phantasmagoria, Emotional Feedback, Perfect Strangers, Straight Shot and Dredd Zeppelin. 1980s heavy

metal hair bands, Ratt and Poison, were also known to play in that area at one time.

Some of the bars and clubs that were part of College Hill were places like: Zephyr’s, Apple Jack’s, Oscar’s, J.L. Crab, College Hill Bar and Grill (the original), The Summit, Brewsky’s, Static, Sante Fe Annie’s, Slow Bob’s, Wizard’s, Quincy McGoo’s, Pryor’s Irish Pub, Ole Mel’s, Key West Cantina, Club Cosmos, The Hall of Fame, J.T.’s, Boston Tap Room, Dooley’s, Otto’s and Fergie’s.

“Pryor’s Pub was a fun place to go,” said long-time College Hill resident, Lee Geary.

College Hill no longer has the thriving bar scene. Randy White, a bartender still in the area speculated about why the area changed.

“The change from 18 to 21 drinking age started the downfall of College Hill,” said White, a bartender at Oscar’s,

which moved to the corner of 15th Street and Lane Street once the new College Hill Development project started in 2006. One popular eating establishment was Mama Ilma’s, which served breakfast once all the bars closed for the night.

When Mama passed away, the family sold the restaurant, and it became the Baker’s Dozen, a donut shop. They have since moved to a different location.

Since the new development for College Hill, there was one local business that refused to vacate their original location. Jerry Morgan, owner of Jerry’s Bike Shop, felt that the new development would destroy the business that he has built up for the past 25 years. Therefore, the apartments had to be built around his establishment.

The renovation of the College Hill Development was a $30 million project that was to create 183 apartments, 33 townhomes, and 24,000 square

feet of rental space for any local establishments that wished to rent them.

Fast forward to 2011: Since the completion of the project, only 60 percent of the apartments are rented, and none of the townhomes. One establishment, Submarina, was in the new development for one year before closing its doors.

On the corner of 17th Street and Washburn Avenue, there was also an art gallery for a brief period of time. There is currently an optical shop moving in where Submarina once was, but it is unknown when it will be open for business.

There were also talks of a possible coffee shop and a burger stand.

College Hill has been evolving since its beginning.

It’s next incarnation, however, remains a mystery.

Michelle Boltz is a sophomore mass media major. Reach her at michelle.boltz@washburn.edu.

10

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Parks from the past: Story by Robert Burkett • Design by Josh Rouse • Photos courtesy of Topeka Parks and Recreation

Topekans have a variety of entertainment at their disposal. While modern day Topeka takes for granted its choices, city founders adopted a philosophy early on of preserving parks for recreation since the city’s birth.

In 1854, a pioneer carpenter named Anthony Ward moved to an area along the Kansas River. Along with his fellow settlers, Ward founded the city of Topeka.

It wasn’t until after Ward and his son-inlaw, John Meade, passed away that the land his homestead rested on became the centerpiece of the modern day Topeka Parks and Recreation services. With the donation of the area that is today known as Ward-Meade Park and the establishment of City Park along the south bank of the river running through downtown, the roots of the modern Parks and Recreation Department took hold.

It wasn’t until much later that the system of over 120 parks would collect some of today’s more notable parks like Gage and Garfield Park.

“Initially, the parks system was just a lot of pieces of small land that were donated by some of the city founds like Cyrus K. Holliday with Holiday Park,” said Bill Riphahn, director of planning and development for City of Topeka’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The process of organizing the pieces of land that the city acquired over time eventually fell to a man of Prussian decent named E.F.A. Reinisch. He was a horticulturalist

who took up residence in Gage Park around was the beginnings of what became the zoo the turn of the 19th century, a piece of land system in Topeka,” said Riphahn. “One of that had cost several local politicians dearly the exhibits he started was Monkey Island, according to Riphahn. which was a monkey exhibit that had a cas“At the time that Gage was acquired tle looking structure with windows and each from the Gage family, the park was almost window had a label on it like, ‘Police Chief, four miles outside the city limits,” said Mayor and so on.”

Riphahn. “Several members of the city One of the other interesting instances council lost reelection over the acquisition of Snyder’s humor came at the infant stages but later when the trolley came to Topeka of the zoo as Snyder acquired a bear from a and made the trip out there easier, it was cel- traveling circus and had tied it to a tree in ebrated as a great deal.”

Gage Park while he began the process of Reinisch took advantage of the natural building proper cages for it. surroundings, using rails from a failed train “Harry Snyder had gotten a tame bear experiment to create a giant sunfrom the circus,” said Riphahn. dial as well as use his skills to “It was named Tom, and was craft intricate shrubbery art. Inone of those bears you could HISTORIC cluded in the art seen throughout pay $2 to wrestle. So when SnyPARKS the park was a symbol of good der brought the bear to Gage, it tidings that today carries a difwould get loose sometimes and ferent symbolic meaning. the neighbors would inevitably call Snyder “Being from Germany, Reinisch put a telling him that ‘Ol’ Tom had gotten out giant swastika in the shrubbery art,” said again.’”

Riphahn. “Back in those days, right before Another of the evolutions of the park World War I, that symbol represented good system was the swimming pool, which startluck. The swastika was something positive ed with Gage Park’s original pool. The origilong before Hitler ever came along.” nal pool was located where the parking lot After Reinisch’s time as parks commis- for the Topeka Zoo currently resides. sioner, the next notable character in for Parks “Originally, kids were swimming in an and Recreation would be a man by the name old pond and the authorities that be decidof Harry Snyder. Having made his money as ed to cement along the edges of it to give a used car salesman, Snyder’s sense of hu- people a reason to walk along it and hopemor and vision were at times abrasive to oth- fully discourage the kids,” said Riphahn. “It ers in the community. ended up just making it more popular and “Snyder’s contribution to Parks and Rec eventually they would cement the sides as

well creating a pool that could hold quite a few people.”

Besides swimming, the pools also served as a site for the annual Halloween party. Snyder emptied out the pool and held a barnyard party with cows, chickens and other livestock in the deep end of the pool.

In the following years, Parks and Recreation continued moving forward, with the community facing the growth of the city through the absorption of parks such as Garfield Park. The creation of spaces like Lakewood Park for minorities also helped expand what used to be a segregated city. As Topeka progressed, both physically as well as socially, so have the parks alongside it.

Topeka’s outdoor entertainment options grew from a small affair into today’s system of over 120 parks scattered throughout the city. Going forward, Topeka’s parks still will play a vital role in the growth of the community. Currently, the city has plans to extend the walking paths into interconnecting trails that will make the city more walker friendly.

The city also is continuing to help develop the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center that will open to the public in Gage Park this coming summer.

“We’ll still be working on things that will help create a space for people to enjoy their city,” said Riphahn.

Robert Burkett is a junior mass media major. Reach him at robert.burkett@ washburn.edu.

Good Tidings: The swastika cut into the shrubbery is one example of the displays that were prevalent in Gage Park near the beginning of the 20th century. The swastika was a symbol of good luck in German culture prior to the rule of Adolf Hitler and was a popular design of Park Comissioner E.F.A. Reinisch.

Garden of Peace: The Reinisch rock garden in Gage Park is a popular attraction for Topekans seeking a quiet place to relax. Gage Park has at some point during its existence housed over 6,000 different plant species since its creation.

The Argo

Parks illuminate Topeka’s history Train to Nowhere: The miniature train, which makes a one mile circle of the park, has been a mainstay of Gage Park’s attractions since the 1960s.

Green Messenger: Shrubbery in Gage Park display Park Comissioner Reinisch’s love for using the world around him to express his creativity.

NEW ER LOW S E PRIC

Immediate Availability!

3 BR start @ $950 1 BR start @ $600 4 BR start @ $960 2 BR start @ $695 Ask about our by-the-bedroom specials!

College Hill Apartments • 1425 S.W. Lane • 785-232-5555

11

12

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Photos courtesy of Topeka and Shawnee County Library

Marching on: The Marshall's Band, formed during the 1883-1884 presidential election, is Topeka's oldest active band. The band, now called Marshall's Civic Band, will be performing in Topeka during June and July.

Oldest band in Topeka keeps marching Tricia Peterson WASHBURN REVIEW

The Marshall’s Band has been a band in Topeka since the 1883-1884 presidential election, and is the oldest band in Topeka. John Bromell Marshall organized the band after he was asked to promote the Republican candidates for President and Vice President, James G. Blaine and John A. Logan. When the Republicans lost the election, the band members figured their careers together were finished. J.B. Marshall is quoted as saying, “Boys, it’s all over and Marshall’s Band dies with the election!”

Much to band members' surprise they were asked to play for the winning Democratic party. Marshall, being the strong Rebublican he was at heart, quoted an extremely high price hoping to scare them off. The Democrats surprised Marshall and his band again by actually paying the price and asking them to play. After that it wasn’t long before other organizations and venues wanted Marshall’s Band to play for them.

Today, the band sticks to

shows within the city of Topeka, but in their early days it would travel all over the United States. The band always received rave reviews and promoted Topeka to people all over.

Marshall began his life and career in England, in Queen Victoria’s Guard Band as a cornetist, and later traveled to the United States. In Topeka, he served as Register of Deeds, before he started the First Ward Republican Flambeau Club Band which was later called Marshall’s Military Band, or Marshall’s Band because of the popularity of Marshall himself.

The band, hoping to raise money and obtain a steady income so it could keep playing, bought Garfield Park from John R. Mulvane in 1901. The band needed uniforms, equipment, and means to move the band around the country.

Hopes of fixing up the park were destroyed by the flood in 1903 which devastated Garfield Park. Marshall tried to resign early because of this, with a letter to the rest of the members who rejected it immediately. Even so, the Marshall Band continued playing

wherever it was asked, rarely being paid and when they were, not much. Mostly the band played for special occasions and in public parks. Marshall was director of the Band until his death in 1910.

Over the years the band made friends with the Sousa Band, which was another band that moved around the U.S. playing shows. Whenever it was in town, Marshall’s Band

would join up with the Sousa Band and the two would play together. Another band, called the Capital City Band who performed at all the shows in Topeka before Marshall’s Band was formed, was not so fortunate. Marshall’s Band merged with the Capital City Band and took over all of its shows.

Today, the band calls itself the Marshall’s Civic Band and plays here in Topeka dur-

ing June and July. They play at 7 p.m. June 12 in Gage Park Ampitheater, and two other shows throughout the following weeks. To check the schedule, history and to find more information about the Marshall’s Band their website is skyways. lib.ks.us/orgs/mcb.

Tricia Peterson is a sophomore mass media major. Reach her at patricia.peterson@washburn.edu.

Jazz cafe off to strong start Michelle Boltz WASHBURN REVIEW

London’s Live Jazz Café had their official grand opening on Jan. 28. London’s is owned

by Lisa Kirk and Lorean Williams, a Wasburn University alumna and paralegal.

“London’s was Lisa’s vision,” said Williams.

London’s is located inside of the former Hillmer’s Leather Store building, which was in operation in Downtown Topeka for over 100 years until the Hillmer family decided to sell the business in 2010. London’s kept the original wood floors, and the beautifullyetched ceilings that were there when Hillmer’s was first established.

Another unique feature that London’s will have is their Washburn Wednesdays, an opportunity for Washburn’s music students or faculty jazz musicians to have a regular venue to perform in. Craig Treinen a music instructor at Washburn, books bands for London’s on Facebook as well.

Not only will London’s have a wide variety of music such as jazz, rhythm and blues and soft rock, but it will also have lunch and dinner that is catered in by a number of local caterers that rotate to keep patrons coming back for more.

“For lunch, we could have stuffed burritos, and for dinner, we could have meat loaf, baked potatoes with all the trimmings, tea and a roll for only $10,” said Williams.

London’s offers their own delectable desserts such as German chocolate cake, carrot cake, lemon meringue pie and brownies. For one’s drinking pleasure, there is tea (which can also be ordered by the pitcher), sodas and mocktails.

Coffee will soon be available.

Most of London’s advertising consists of word of mouth, fliers and Facebook.

“Facebook is our friend,” said Williams. “This is one venue that people have been waiting for.”

Kirk and Williams’ vision for London’s is to start by capturing local artists and then

For more local stories, photos, updates visit:

www.washburnreview.org

NOW LEASING:

Bristol Ridge Apartments. 1 & 2 Bedrooms. W/D in each apartment Cable Paid, Pool. $100/Bedroom Deposit. Call 785-233-5959. www.firstmanagementinc.com

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo

13

branch out from there.

“Come out and relax, have a great time, have fabulous food and enjoy some great music,” said Williams.

Upstairs is a beautifully decorated VIP room that has touches of candlelight, loveseats, etched mirrors and shades of maroon and gold accents. It can be rented for private parties for $5 a person, as many as the room can hold.

If there is a private party held during a regular night, the VIP room is for the private party only. The VIP room is available on a first-come, firstserve basis. Interested parties can book the space up to two weeks in advance, or can also book according to what’s on the schedule for that evening.

Williams is in charge of nonprofit and corporate events, and Kirk handles the private events.

Cover charge is usually $5 per person.

Michelle Boltz is a sophomore mass media major. Reach her at michelle.boltz@washburn.edu.

Photo by Matt Wilper, Washburn Review

Jazzing it up: London’s hosts live music and offers a catered lunch. Live Jazz Cafe held their official grand opening Jan. 28.

14

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Zoo hopes efforts bring successful future Richard Kelly WASHBURN REVIEW It’s been an eventful and somewhat gloomy last few years for the Topeka Zoo. However, current progression may indicate a better future is in store.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums inspected the Topeka Zoo in December 2009. After a critical report, the zoo received another visit on Jan. 17. It is in danger of losing its accreditation The zoo, which lost its accreditation in 2001 before reacquiring it from 2003 to present, has recently received help from the Topeka City Council. According to The Topeka CapitalJournal, the council voted on Feb. 22 to build a necropsy building for the zoo, which would cost roughly $112,115.

The zoo currently sends their deceased animals to be inspected at Kansas State University, due to the lack of a building that fits the requirements for a necropsy center.

The other project would entail replacing zoo fencing to bring it to compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would cost roughly $170,034. The AZA will likely determine whether they will revoke the zoo’s accreditation on March 20.

While these issues sit on the foreground for the zoo, it has been recently been an optimistic point for the zoo with the raising of Hope, the giraffe who was born with a hoof deformity on July 11. She currently remains in the zoo and her veterinarian gave her a positive prognosis this past October.

Kate Larison, executive director of Friends of the Topeka Zoo, said Tuesday that Hope’s condition has continued to improve since the last public prognosis.

Photo by Mike Goehring, Washburn Review

Welcome to the jungle: Topeka Zoo visitors walk to one of the zoo's exhibits to get a closer look. Recently, the zoo has used two approvals from the city council to begin to improve its facilities and also hopes to build off of the recovery of Hope, the baby giraffe born at the zoo with a hoof deformity.

“Hope is doing great,” said this point.

Larison. “I saw her just today “I think people have found it running around in her yard.” to be educational and fortunately, The zoo is also displaying synthetic ice is a little slower, so a daily “Polar Ice Cap” exhibit it works for people who haven’t which is designed as a synthetic really skated before,” said Lariice skating rink for visitors of son about the exhibit, which is the zoo. There is no chilling re- open through March 31. quired because A “Gary of a compound “ Clarke Run used, which for the Wild” Hope is doing also means no is also planned great. I just saw energy is used for April 16, to run the ice which will feaher today running rink. Through ture a 5k nonaround in her yard. posters and competitive educational run/walk and a - Kate Larison graphics, the two-mile famExecutive Director, Friends zoo hopes to ily/team stroll. of the Topeka Zoo raise awareClarke was the ness about enfirst director of vironmental ” the zoo for 26 responsibility and the future of years from 1963 through 1989. the polar ice caps.

“He was just a wonderful Larison indicated that peo- director, so this is a way of honple have enjoyed the exhibit to oring him and everything he did

Auditions For Anton Chekhov’s

UNCLE VANYA

while he was director,” said Larison. “Even now, he’s still heavily involved with us and the zoo industry.”

The entry fee will be $10 per participant with proceeds going to the zoo for future projects, renovations and other costs.

Larison said individuals, teams, and groups are all welcome, but the goal is to have 10 members in each party to accumulate at least $100, which is the preferred minimum.

Larison said participation by single individuals is also acceptable, but that it is encouraged they find friends that would be willing to help them raise the $100.

A kickoff for the event is planned for 3:30 p.m. on March 10 at the zoo. Clarke as well as Jim Ogle, general of WIBW TV13 and event chair, will be present. It is open to the public.

A photography contest is also underway until June 15 and is open to all ages and levels of photographers. There are four categories for amateur entries: youth, teem, adult and senior. Professional entries, which means that the photographer earns 75 percent of their income from photographs, are only defined as one category.

There will be first, second, and third place awards for each category, as well as a director's choice, mayor's choice and staff's choice. In addition, all contestants will receive a coupon which can be redeemed for a free visit from July 1-3.

More information can be found at http://topekazoo.org/ photography-contest/.

Richard Kelly is a junior mass media/social work major. Reach him at richard.kelly@washburn.edu

Submit ideas for Student Media’s

Sunday, March 6: 2-4 pm and Monday, March 7: 6-8 pm

new logo in pdf format to wureview@

In the Andrew J. & Georgia Neese Gray Theatre (Garvey 130)

gmail.com by March 11! Win big

Callbacks: Tuesday, March 8: 6-8 pm

Performance Dates: April 29, 30 and May 6, 7, & 8 Call 670-1639 for information or come to Garvey 133 to check out a script (with $5 deposit)

from local Topeka businesses!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo

15

Top City Thursdays make a comeback Jennie Loucks WASHBURN REVIEW

forts also included radio spots, commercials on WIBW 13 news channel and email blasts.

The weekend starts on “Each week, we also created Thursday once again a downtown map to let people Topeka-based seveneight- know what was open and what five magazine, in conjunction specials were going on,” said with Downtown Topeka, Inc., Mapes. “We put these up in the took this mentality and turned it businesses and all around town. into successful series of events. Each business did a special each Both organizations emails, Face- week that was unique to only that book comments and read articles Thursday.” online regarding the difficulty of To add to the uniqueness of finding any stores open down- each event, Top City Thursdays town in the evenings. There were chose different Topeka Thursfour or five businesses that were days choose different Topeka known for staying open later on charities to have as a theme for Thursday nights, and after this an evening. Featured charities discovery, the idea of Top City included the United Way, Breast Thursdays was born.

Cancer Awareness, the American “It occurred Cancer Society, to us that if we and the Helping “ called the busiHands Humane nesses who We decided since Society. weren’t already the events were so “It’s not just open and got us making this them to partici- popular, we would happen,” said pate, we could add new elements to Mapes, “Every create some week we had buzz about it keep people coming to have a plan, and hopefully back. which included get people to - Kerrice Mapes us, all the venstay downtown dors, businesses Founder, and participants. after work, or seveneightfive magazine We had to work come downtown on Thursto make ” together day evenings,” a difference.” said Laurel Leamon, director of Top City Thursdays enevents for Downtown Topeka, courage community members to Inc. participate with the 3/50 projOn July 1, 2010, Top City ect. If each community member Thursdays debuted.

Almost chooses three places that mean every business downtown kept something to them, and spends its doors open until 8 p.m., and $50 between the three per month, some even later. As the summer downtown can stay alive, and progressed, the event grew to in- more importantly thrive. Sevclude more and more shops, ac- eneightfive magazine and Downtivities, and street vendors. town Topeka, Inc., have agreed “We decided since the events that this project is the backbone were so popular, we would add of Top City Thursdays. new elements to keep people comTop City Thursdays also ing back,” said Kerrice Mapes, took the opportunity to build founder of seveneightfive maga- off of events already happening zine. “We added a movie on the downtown. One of the major Capitol lawn, live music, and all successes of Top City Thursdays the merchants had their own in- occurred on the weekend of the dividual ways of adding to each annual Hullabaloo Sidewalk event. The collective goal of all Sale, a three-day shopping sale of us was just to get the word out that has taken place downtown and to get people there.” for over 30 years. Seveneighfive To spread the word about magazine scheduled their annual getting downtown, Top City Shop Crawl for the Thursday Thursdays adopted its own Face- before the Hullabaloo Sidewalk book page, foursquare account, Sale started, and many downtown and also a Twitter hashtag. The merchants agreed that they have advertising and marketing ef- never seen so much business.

Photo by Tesa Deforest, Washburn Review

It’s always happening downtown: Top City Thursdays bring people and businesses together for a variety of events in the hopes of revitalizing Topeka’s downtown community. Top City Thursday events will start in May this year.

“Longtime downtown merchants like Wolfe’s reported the best Hullabaloo they’d had in over 25 years. Other merchants, like Lori Welch at Personally Yours, told us that in her entire seven years in business, this had been their single best day in business. Ever,” said Leamon. “Rob Briman of Briman’s Leading Jewelers told us that he’d had a customer come in who hadn’t been downtown in over 15 years.

She was hugely surprised by the new businesses and restaurants downtown.”

With all the positive feedback from both the community

and merchants, Top City Thursdays has big plans for the upcoming season. The kick-off event this year will start the event two months earlier than last year with a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

It will include roving mariachi bands. The organization has also decided to create a theme for each month, which businesses and vendors can tailor to their products. The summer is mapped out to include the themes, Garden Party in May; Savor Kansas, in honor of the 150th anniversary of Kansas’s statehood, in June; Party Month in July and Dog Days of Summer in August.

“During the whole process, it can be overwhelming, but so many people are excited about it,” said Mapes. “This year, we’re just really going to explode; more publicity, more vendors. We do a lot of things in the community behind the scenes to make Topeka cool. We want people to interact with us. We’re laying the foundation for something great, and it’ll be a community effort to continue to make this all a success.”

Jennie Loucks is a member of Regina Cassell’s Advanced Newswriting class.

16

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

TAG: building legacy on novelty Kate Fechter WASHBURN REVIEW

munity College. time members.”

Hubbard was also the Topeka To join, individuals must fill Art Guild’s "Artist of the Month" out a membership form and pay With its 100th anniversary for February. He paints and said the membership dues. Students coming up in 2016, the Topeka in the TAG newsletter that his can join the Topeka Art Guild for Art Guild (TAG) is the oldest paintings “are $15. continuous art institution in To- diverse in “Mempeka. subject mat- “ bership gives We have photography.

The Topeka Art Guild’s web- ter with evyou the right Those who are good site gives a history of the non- erything from to vote for profit organization, which at one design to landthe officers with a camera have time was located on Washburn’s scape.” While and board some absolutely campus in Boswell Hall. In 1931, volunteering members,” scrumptious pictures. it moved to the third floor of To- at TAG, he said Hubpeka High School. provided inbard.

“You It moved to Gage Center in formation on can serve on - Jessie Patterson 1987, and in September 2003, TAG memcommittees.

Guild member, TAG opened its doors at its current lo- bership and You can take cation in Fairlawn Plaza through the way the workshops at ” a reduced rate Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. organization Robert L. Hubbard has been works. and you can a member of TAG since he retired “It’s basically made up of show your work here.” from teaching in 2003. He taught artists and people who are just There is a fee to hang art art at many academic institutions getting into art and wanting to at TAG, ranging from $2.50 to including Santa Fe Trail High learn about art,” said Hubbard. $10, depending on the size of the School, Allen County Commu- “We have a lot of patrons, people work. Pieces are approved before nity College, Kansas State Uni- who aren’t active in art but want hanging and cannot be more than versity and Cloud County Com- to support the arts, who are life- 48 inches in total size.

Jessie Patterson is another member of the guild. She sews dresses from the medieval period, does other fiber art and also draws and paints. She was a member of TAG for about seven years and rejoined six months ago, after a short hiatus.

“We have 3D art and jewelry,” said Patterson. “We have photography. Those who are good with a camera have some absolutely scrumptious pictures.

There are also watercolor, oils, acrylic paintings, pastel pieces and some printmaking.”

On top of having works by various artists and an "Artist of the Month," TAG also allows loPhoto by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review Window shopping: Pottery and jewelry decorate the front of the guild as cal high schools to put the works photography and paintings adorn the back walls. Passerby can see the art of their students on display. Feband be drawn in to the artistic culture of Topeka's oldest art institution. ruary was the month for Jeffer-

I'm interested in: a) Free food b) Politics c) Washburn University d) Student life e) All of the above

So are we.

Join us at 6 p.m. this Thursday, March 3 in Mabee Library for the WSGA candidate debate  the washburn review

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review

Baubles and bits: Blown glass bulbs hang above pottery in a display window at the Topeka Arts Guild. TAG charges artists to display their work based on size, but it is often used as a way to gain recognition. son West High School, located in Meriden, Kan. The guild also puts out a monthly newsletter that lists upcoming events and TAG highlights and achievements. It also talks about upcoming classes and has a section written by Cynthia Stotlar, the current president of TAG. Guild membership is a way for Topeka residents and stu-

dents to get involved in the art community. Membership forms and other useful information are available on their website: www. topekaartguild.org.

Kate Fechter is a junior art and psychology major. Reach her at kate. fechter-stamper@washburn.edu.

“Move It” with the ‘Runners & MS! Join the RoadRunners and the National MS Society

Friday, March 4 at 7:05pm @ Kansas Expocentre Make sure to mention the MS Society when you purchase a ticket!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Argo

17

Laughs fund hope for Shriners

Michelle Boltz WASHBURN REVIEW

“To keep them operating, the cost is $2.31 million a day,” said Farthing. Farthing has been The Arab Shrine Circus got a Shriner for 20 years, but has its start in 1939, and has contin- been active for the past 10 to 12 ued to entertain many genera- years.

“You can be as busy as you tions every year.

The purpose of the Shrine can be,” said Farthing. “Alan Circus is not only to entertain, Holt, Potentate of Arab Shrine but to help keep the Arab Shrine Temple, helps make the Shrine Temple in Topeka operating as Circus possible.”

The Arab Shrine Temple well as other temple locations in Emporia, Junction City and worked with the Jim Hamid Circus for several years before Atchison.

Hamid took “Every Shriover the opner is a Free Ma- “ eration in the son, but not all The Shrine Circus 1950s.

Masons are Shri“ T h e ners,” said Roger is the great Topeka Shrine Circus Farthing, public tradition. We're is the Great relations direcTopeka Trator for the Arab known to have dition,” said Temple in Toupside-down flower Holt. “We’re peka. “There are known to have 1,331 members in hats.

Northeast Kansas, - Alan Holt upside-down and 32,000 memArab Temple, Topeka flower hats,” said Farthing. bers nationwide.”

New for Memberships ” this year’s perfor either Masons or Shriners are available during formance was a trapeze act where the circus performances, or one there were three catchers and six can contact their local Shrine people flying in the air all at the Temple or Masonic Lodge for same time. It was performed for more information. The Masonry the first time during the Friday is a fraternal order for men, and evening show and it was a great success. Other performances inis not religiously based.

In Topeka, the Arab Shrine cluded juggling, clowns, tigers, Temple has 34 separate units that a camel, elephants, horses, poShriners and Masons can be in- nies, dogs and a llama. The baby volved in such as: Mini-T cars, elephant, Val, captured the audiantique cars, Provost Guards, ence’s hearts with mama close by. clowns and the Oriental Band.

Before and after the show, The Masons were originally founded by 14 Masons in as well as during intermission, the 1880s. The Masons’ main Ringmaster Peter Sturgis posed philanthropic cause is in helping for pictures with families and an children with various birth de- albino python named Sweetheart. fects such as cleft and lip palates, For the first time in five years, prostheses for hands and feet af- camel rides were available. In addition, there were elephant ter surgery and burn victims.

The Shriners’ goal is to as- and pony rides, face painting, sist those who are in need so they air-brushed tattoos and hugs and autographs from the clowns. can be productive in society.

Other yearly Shriner tradiShriners look for kids who they could help. They decide tions include coloring contests which hospital would be best for for kids, and with every program them without any obligation to bought at the shows, there are pay. The Shriners have fundrais- drawings for bikes at every pering events to help operate their formance.

22 hospitals nationwide, including Mexico and Canada. The first Michelle Boltz is a sophomore mass Shriners hospital was on the east media major. Reach her at michelle. coast. boltz@washburn.edu

Photos courtesy of Ron Buchanan

For the cause: Since its first performance in 1939, the Arab Shrine Circus has entertained many people. The Shriners use proceeds from the circus to benefit several philanthropic causes.

18

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

More than just books Topeka library has strong commitment to arts Kate Fechter WASHBURN REVIEW

a fantastic fundraiser. He was the first man the ladies allowed on the committee.”

The Topeka and Shawnee Wilder raised $25,000 for County Public Library is a well- the construction of the library. known entity in Topeka and the He also started the first art school surrounding area. What may not in Topeka in 1886, a painting be as well known is the library’s school that was open for six long standing commitment to art years. While in Europe in 1901, that is as old as the library itself. Wilder purchased over 300 piecZan Popp, the collections es of Art Nouveau, which Popp manager and lead associate cura- says “was the basis of our art coltor at the Alice C. Sabatini Gal- lection.” lery in the library, and Sherry The library moved to its curBest, the director and curator of rent location on 10th Avenue in the gallery, shared information 1951. Popp said the library has on the history of the gallery and always had a fine art division at the library. this location and art could even Best, who has a bachelor's be checked out like books at one and master's detime. The art gree in photogra- “ gallery came phy and art his- Sometimes it's a little into existence tory, took over in 1974 when as director of the edgy; sometimes it's the library went Sabatini Gallery a little sedate. We through renovawhen Larry Peters tions. are trying to have stepped down in In 1998, the 2003. Peters also those peaks and Sabatini family founded the Kangave the gallery sas Artist Crafts- valleys so you don't a $150,000 enmen Association. feel like it's always dowed donation.

“This is the In 2002, the galoldest public art going to be this type lery reopened as collection in To- of art. the Alice C. Sapeka,” said Popp, batini Gallery in - Zan Popp who has both honor of Alice Alice C. Sabatini Gallery Sabatini, a lifebachelor's and master's degrees ” time supporter in art history and of the library has been at the gallery for al- and the arts. most eight years. “This library Popp gave some background has always been more than just about the gallery, as well as the books.” services they offer to the comIn 1883, the library was con- munity. A large part of what the structed on the Capitol grounds gallery does is preservation. and was located at 8th Street “If a piece comes to us in and Jackson Street. The library good condition, we do everystarted with 40 books and had a thing we can to keep it in good subscription fee of $3 per year to condition,” said Popp. “Also becheck out books. cause this is part of a library, we A group of women started are also a reference area. If you the library, and a photo copy of have a question about an artist, the library charter they wrote is a type of artwork or you have a on display on the upper level. piece your grandmother left you The first man to be involved with and you want to find out more about who the person is, we can the library was Edward Wilder.

“Edward Wilder worked for help you start that research like a the Santa Fe railroad,” said Best. librarian would.”

The gallery does about six “He was secretary treasurer and

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review

Cultural Beacon: The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library houses the Alice C. Sabatini art gallery. The Sabatini gallery is known for the diverse exhibitions that go on display throughout the year. shows a year and are six to eight weeks long. The gallery then closes for two weeks to prepare for the next show.

“We try to bring out art we think would be appealing to the community,” said Popp. “Sometimes it’s a little edgy, sometimes it’s a little sedate. We are trying to have those peaks and valleys so you don’t feel like it’s always going to be this type or that type of art.”

The current show is the brain child of Best and is part of the celebration of Kansas’ 150 years of statehood. On top of exhibitions, the gallery does two juried shows yearly.

“One we’ve been doing for

30 years,” said Popp. “That is our Topeka competition. That was started as a craft competition, in particular: fiber, wood, ceramics, metal and jewelry. It started for those in the craft fields to have an opportunity to show them as fine art. Now, they are seen as fine art.”

The Topeka competition takes place on odd-numbered years. The Printed Images show takes place during the even number years. This 3-year-old competition involves original, hand-pulled prints. Also, once a year they do a competition for children’s art.

“It’s about bringing fine art to young children to get

them their first taste to be able to feel comfortable, as they grow older, enjoying art,” said Popp.

“In looking at art, in understanding what they are seeing and asking questions. The art is usually hung at a child’s level as well.”

The current show on display at the gallery is the ‘Kansas 150/150’ exhibit. It includes 150 objects from the Sabatini galleries permanent collection that helps chronicle the history of Kansas, particularly Topeka, in the 150 years it has been a state and will be on display until March 11.

Please see LIBRARY page 18

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

LIBRARY: Art part of history Continued from page 18

Best came up with the idea for the exhibit with the help of Heather Kearns, who works for the gallery as an associate curator and digital branch services. Kearns also is producing a series of videos on the library’s website “52 for 150.” A new video is released every Monday and highlights objects from the gallery’s collection, which actually has over 6,000 pieces total. Kearns also did the “What Kansas Means to Me” video.

“What we did for our show was get things out of our basement that people don’t know we have but are great resources and show them off,” said Best. “I learned about Kansas history and learned about the collection. We found stuff we didn’t even know we had.”

The exhibit starts with Westward expansion. Best explained they had to start there because of a lack of materials covering the Native Americans that had come before.

The exhibit is then broken into three 50 year periods which chronicle the 150 years of Kansas statehood.

Some of the highlights from the “First 50 Years” include a drawing of the first cabin in Topeka. The walls in that part of the exhibit are 12 feet by 14 feet, the same size of the cabin; which housed nine people.

There are some of the early books about Topeka on display, as well as some of prohibition activist Carrie Nation’s newsletters. There is also a framed Grand Army of the Republic discharge paper dating back from the Civil War. The frame opens up, containing medals and other interesting tokens from a Union soldier.

The exhibit continues into the “Second 50 Years” and includes WIBW Radio Show pamphlets, as well as a Topeka High yearbook with cover art done by Aaron Douglas. Douglas was involved in the Harlem Renaissance in New York.

“He was as revolutionary as Picasso was in abstraction and being inspired by African Art,” said Best.

“He is now called the ‘Father of African Art.’” There are also objects from the Topeka State Hospital and Menninger’s Foundation, including a giant ball of twine used as therapy for a patient at the hospital and a ball and chain used to confine State Hospital residents.

Art Therapy was pioneered in Topeka at Menninger’s by Ruth

Shaw, whose formulas for non-toxic paint are still used today, and Mary Huntoon, who had an 85 percent success rate.

Also on display are bricks that were around town with the words “Don’t spit on the sidewalk” written on them. This was part of a campaign by Sam Crombine, one-time head of the Kansas State Health Department. He also commissioned the invention of the fly swatter from a Topeka High teacher and would pay children a “fly bounty” for bringing in fly corpses.

The “Third 50 Years,” includes a piece by David Hicks Overmeyer, deceased Topeka artist, whose work recently was also on display at the Mulvane Art Museum. There is also a piece by Margaret Whittemore, who is the daughter of Frances Whittemore, former head of the art department at Washburn and was pivotal in the founding of the Mulvane Art Museum.

Also on display is a piece by current art department chair and ceramics professor Glenda Taylor.

Also, on display are objects from Kansas politics and the 1966 tornado.

The exhibit closes with a piece that looks towards the future; a piece about ReThink Topeka.

“What’s our future, is where I am leaving the show,” said Best.

“Justin Marbelle and his wife Bailey are part of Rethink Topeka. They are part of our movers and shakers about what we want to have developed in the next 25 to 50 years.”

As for the future of the Sabatini Gallery itself, a project is underway to put the entire collection online and make it easily accessible to answer questions and provide materials to educators. Past and current exhibits can be seen online now.

The gallery has a Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/topekalibrary/collections. The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s main webpage also has information available on the Sabatini Gallery and other library happenings at www. tscpl.org.

“The library is really trying to make an emphasis on outreach,” said Best. “Not necessarily having people come to the building but having the services come out into the community. So we are looking at ways to achieve this as well.”

Kate Fechter is a junior art and psychology major. Reach her at kate. fechter-stamper@washburn.edu.

The Argo

19

Salad days at Field of Greens Whitney Jones WASHBURN REVIEW

Being a vegetarian and aiming to eat healthier has many obstacles. The obvious answer is to eat at home but where is the fun in that?

Scouring Topeka looking for a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, there was one locally-owned restaurant stood out from the limited list.

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review The Schultz family opened Field of Greens in 2002. They Take your pick: Field of Greens, open 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through had always loved the down- Friday, is a healthy, vegetarian lunch option with 50 ingredients to pick from. town area growing up, with its historic buildings and warm atmosphere. The aim for their business was for the same type of environment. That is why •Monday, Wednesday, they chose Kansas Avenue as Thursday and Friday they opposed to the ever popular, have $5 lunch specials traffic jammed, Wanamaker •They offer 10% disRoad. counts for certain businesses Entering into Field of certain days of the week Greens you walk past other •They have a VIP propatrons enjoying their salads gram that you can use at at modest tables with the tradieither restaurant Field of tional tablecloths complimenGreens and The Breakroom.

For every dollar you spend tary of the simple nature of the you get a point. Once you hit restaurant.

75 you get $5 off your next The salad bar is filled with purchase.

50 ingredients for the pickings.

•They have an awesome Since the restaurants main conPhoto by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review coke slushy machine. It is the sumers are downtown workers Variety of choices: Field of Greens, same one that is at the movie the salad bar has high traffic located in downtown on Kansas theatres but instead of the at times and can seem to be Avenue, offers a customized, quick 5.25 it is only 1.50. lunch option for its customers. The picked through.

•They also serve desserts “I always try and go at 1 restaurant opened in 2002 and has like Ice cream and cookies p.m.,” said Kendra Cordts a been a popular lunch option for •The downtown has downtown employees. faced any challenges keeping Washburn alumna, “That way businesses open but the ownthe crowd has mostly been ads are for the rabbits should ers wanted to try and keep the there and they have no fear, heart alive so that is why they have just re- “ Field of Greens kept it limited to downtown stocked every- I always try and go at also offers a thing.”

1 p.m. That way the variety of sandThe ingrewiches, quesadients that fill crowd has mostly dillas, pasta sal- into consideration but if the the two rows been there and ads, soups and a salad is all you are after this is range from the baked potato bar a winning lunch. usual fare to they have restocked They are only open Monwhich also looks more adven- everything there. day through Friday from 10 as tantalizing as turous items a.m. to 3 p.m. So for a healthy the salads.

- Kendra Cordts like crab meat, lunch made to your specificaThe price of Washburn alumna chickpeas and tions Field of Greens is an exthe salad bar for salsa. The wide cellent choice. ” one trip is based choice of items on weight. The and the fact that it tastes fresh only complaint is that if you makes the salads here perfect want pasta and salad the price Whitney Jones is a member of Refor each individual palette. is pretty steep. For college stu- gina Cassell's Advanced NewswritThose who think that sal- dents this is something to take ing class.

Specials and deals

20

The Argo

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Photos by Matt Wilper, Washburn Review

Going to the dogs: Artists prep for senior exhibits Ashley Nadeau WASHBURN REVIEW

Warm auburn eyes pierce through the cold, dark blue sky.

With just a stare, these eyes tell a story. These two pairs of small round eyes, surrounded with heavy brown and black hair say loyalty, these eyes say protection.

Different eyes tell a different story. These eyes show innocence, curiosity, playfulness and wisdom. These eyes say inviting.

These two stories, protection and inviting, are just part of a set of eight stories told through acrylics on canvas board created

by K.J. Thies, senior bachelor in fine arts student.

“The dog paintings on the first floor were all a series that I did for a class in fall of 2010 called Workshop in Art Media,” said Thies. “They were a set of paintings I've wanted to do for a while, and still plan to continue working on in the future.”

Starting this week and extending through March 11, the Washburn Art building will be taken over by the artwork of Thies, and her exhibit, “Dog Show.”

Through the course of her life and time at Washburn, Thies has developed her artistic skill and is known for her use of dogs as subject matter.

“Animals have always been a main focus of my art,” said Thies. “Dogs and horses specifically have a major importance in my life.”

Thies currently works as an animal care tech at Dog Day Afternoon Doggie Dude Ranch and also volunteer at the Helping Hands Humane Society.

“K.J. creates artwork that is based on her immediate surroundings,” said Deedra Baker, Washburn Art Student Association president. “She has a hands-on, tangible approach to her work as well.”

According to Baker along with Thies’s artistic style, her personality is reflected in her artwork.

“K.J. is a directly stated individual. I believe this can also be said of her art,” said Baker.

“She directly illustrates her ideas and concepts via visual expression.”

For Thies, and for many bachelor of fine arts students, having a senior show means developing skill and style in a variety of mediums.

“K.J. refines her technical approaches to create well crafted photographs, drawings, and prints,” said Baker.

The senior art exhibit is the

culmination of four years, sometimes longer, of hard work and artistic growth and discovery.

“There is quite a bit that goes into preparing for a senior show,” said Baker. “It is something I have been working towards for the past couple of years.”

Baker will showcase her art from March 14 to April 1 in the art building, after Thies’ show ends.

“I have established a theme throughout my work, which will create a cohesive body to present in an exhibition,” said Baker. “So far, I have selected the pieces that I will be hanging in the exhibit—finishing and polishing details to make each piece the best it can be.”

Thies, Baker and any BFA major at Washburn must create their own show as part of the graduation requirements.

“The senior exhibition is a solo show in which I can showcase my artwork,” said Baker.

“In essence, the senior exhibition is a solo exhibition in which each senior creates work for the

show, curates the show, promotes the show and installs the show.”

After creating a breadth of artwork, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to prepare for a senior show.

“Putting together a show is tiring work,” said Thies. “So tiring, in fact, that even thinking about putting together the show is tiring to think about.”

Baker also recognizes the work that must go in to organizing an art exhibit.

“Along side finishing work, I have been framing pieces, preparing labels, artists statements,

and creating promotional materials,” said Baker. “It is a great deal of work, but extremely rewarding.”

As Baker continues to prepare for her show, Thies reflects after completing the finishing touches of "Dog Show."

“I've poured over $1000 of my own money into getting this show ready to be put up,” said Thies. “I'm glad it's there now, but it was a lengthy, tiring and expensive endeavor to put on.”

Ashley Nadeau is a senior mass media major. Reach her at ashley nadeau@washburn.edu.