XYZ Summer 2014 e-zine

YOUR GUIDE TO A VERY TOPEKA SUMMER

summer 2014

stay cool, Topeka

by Heather McKee • illustration by Elaine Rodriguez

It’s only a matter of time before the temperature readings reach the triple digits. Here are 20 ways you and your family can make it through the worst heat waves but still come out the other side with some awesome summer memories.

1. Go swimming.

2. Visit the Kansas Museum of History (we love the Discovery Place inside of the museum).

3. Visit the Mulvane Art Museum, and don’t forget about the ArtLab in the basement.

4. Visit the Capitol - go all the way to the top if you dare!

(Going to the top may get hot, but you’ll cool back off on the way down.)

5. Follow the tunnel from the Capital to the Docking Building, and ride the elevator to the top floor.

11. Take a class at a community center.

12. Host a themed tea party at your house.

13. Host a video/board game tournament at your house.

14. Visit the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library

- don’t forget about the Sabatini Art Gallery!

15. Make homemade ice cream.

16. Go skating.

17. Go bowling.

18. In July, visit Ice Days at the Topeka Zoo as a part of

6. Visit the Discovery Center.

7. Host a water party in your backyard.

Family Fun Fest and ice skate in the middle of summer!

8. Take a paddle boat out on Lake Shawnee.

19. Visit a local cupcake shop or pie store and sample the 9. Watch a play at Helen Hocker or Topeka Civic Theatre. goods!

20. Visit a locally-owned coffee shop.

10. Visit the buildings at Old Prairie Town.

2014

SUMMER c o m p i l e d b y J a n i c e Wa t k i n s a n d H e a t h e r M c K e e

JUNE CANSTRUCTION TOPEKA • Debuting JUNE 1, Mulvane Art Museum | Sponsored by Harvesters, teams of Topeka architects and engineers show off their “can-do spirit” and creativity by building amazing structures using cans of food. Best of all, when the exhibit closes, the cans are donated to Harvesters and the food helps feed those in need.

CHRIS AYTES & THE GOOD AMBITION ALL AGES SHOW & VIDEO SHOOT • JUNE 6, NOTO This spectacular First Friday event offers a chance to be a part of something eternal. Join one of our favorite local bands as they record a live album, and bring your camera, phone or other recording device for a chance to submit your footage to the band’s film.

MULVANE ART FAIR • JUNE 7 & 8, Washburn University, Tickets $6/door or $5/in advance This year’s art fair theme “Art a la carte” brings over 100 artists of varied mediums to the capital city.

GERMANFEST • JUNE 7 & 8, Sacred Heart – St. Joseph Parish | This amazing annual event offers a chance to eat authentic German food and join in the fun of games, prizes and more.

KANSAS MUSEUM OF HISTORY 30TH ANNIVERSARY • FRI. JUNE 20, Kansas Museum of History, 3p – 8p, FREE | Help the museum celebrate thirty years at its current location. Take in the new exhibit Real People.

Real Stories and shop in the newly renovated museum store.

WHEATSTOCK X • SAT. JUNE 21, Old Prairie Town, 10a – 8p, FREE| This annual music festival is a great family event, featuring the best acoustic and bluegrass beats around. Bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy.

RAMP IT UP! • Debuting JUNE 28, Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, inside the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library | Each summer the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery hosts an annual art exhibit for children. This year’s exhibit is about skateboarding! Roll to the library for this traveling exhibit organized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. See 20 skateboard decks designed by Native artists and photos and videos of Native skaters.

JULY SPIRIT OF KANSAS BLUES FESTIVAL • JULY 4, Lake Shawnee, 7a – 4p, FREE | Bring your own chairs, cool drinks and your dancin’ shoes to enjoy the concert. Stick around for the fireworks later in the evening to celebrate America’s independence.

FIESTA MEXICANA • JULY 15 - 19, neighborhood of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church | July always brings this hot, hot, hot treat to the Oakland neighborhood for all to enjoy. Head down to enjoy the local food sales, the live music and festivities.

SHAWNEE COUNTY 4-H FAIR • JULY 23-27, Kansas Expocentre, FREE | Enjoy projects, animal presentations and entertainment from the local 4-H groups.

REOCCURRING EVENTS AND RESOURCES EVENING CONCERTS IN THE PARK • EVERY SUN. & FIRST WED. of month, Gage Park Amphitheater, 7p, FREE

SUNDOWN FILM FESTIVAL • SECOND FRIDAY of each month, Kansas Historical Society, 5p -11p, FREE

DOWNTOWN FARMER’S MARKET • SATURDAYS, 12th & Harrison, South of the Judicial Building, 7:30a – 12p FAMILY FUN FEST • DAILY through September, Topeka Zoological Park

SUMMER SUNSET CONCERT • JULY 26, Old Prairie Town, 6p – 9p, $3/gate, 10 and under FREE Grab the whole family for this fun-filled evening of music performed by local artists. Bring your own chairs and enjoy the music and the ambiance of Old Prairie Town.

WEST FEST: NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY • JULY 26, Kansas Museum of History, 9a-5p | Celebrate the cowboy in Kansas history. Gallop over to the Kansas Museum of History where children can explore the world of the Wild West cowboy and cowgirl. Return later that night for Museum After Hours: A Night of Country.

AUG. BALLET FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES • AUGUST 2, Gage Park Ampitheater, 10a – 1p The talented performers at Kansas Ballet will present a special performance of the Wizard of Oz and offer a chance to snag a photo with Dorothy or chat with the scarecrow after the performance!

FAMILY DAY BY THE POND • AUGUST 9, Central Park Community Center, 2p-6p, suggested donation of $5/family Join the community center staff for an afternoon of activities for the whole family, including live music and entertainment, crafts, food and fishing for the kids.

BIG SCREEN UNDER THE STARS • AUGUST 9, Bettis Family Sports Complex, 9p-11p Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a movie under the stars. No outside food or drink is allowed, but concessions will be available. Gates open at 8p.

Sponsored by XYZ • • • • • • • Touch-a-Truck • August 30, Downtown Topeka, 10a – 3p, FREE XYZ is pleased to sponsor and join Downtown Topeka, Inc. as we welcome BIG TRUCKS to downtown to celebrate and learn about the people that build, protect, and serve our cities! Kids and families are invited to touch, climb on, and learn about these big pieces of equipment and the people who operate them.

Read and Win! Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s

SUMMERFEST

Starting May 23, take part in the fun and excitement of SummerFest, the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library’s summer reading incentive program. Everyone, from binkies to bifocals, can win prizes by reading. One kid, one teen and one adult will win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire HD.

Your kids will have buckets of fun this summer

Sign up at summerfest.tscpl.org. Paper reading trackers are also available at the library or Bookmobile. Remember to visit the Adventuremobile to meet a new critter each week. More at tscpl.org/bookmobile.

“We encourage everyone to read 12 hours in two months, and we’re sweetening the deal with free chocolate, cupcakes and other coupons from area businesses,” Youth Services Supervisor LeAnn Petrie said. “The real reward, however, is that children who read during the summer months maintain or improve their reading skills and scores. And parents who model the way by participating themselves help with their child’s progress.”

Pro tip! Earn 30 minutes toward your reading goal by listening to stories every Tuesday and Thursday when you bring your child to Readapalooza or Stories & Crafts at 10am.

Be sure and put reading in their buckets

Discover how the library can makeforyour Prepare your child for reading through storytelling and activities. Earn baby some prizes every summer 4 hours or 10awesome! activities, plus a

Birth-18 months – Bee a Reader

chance at the grand prizes, a handmade baby blanket and a Soft Feely Box toy.

19 months–12 years – Fizz, Boom, Read!

• Take the summer reading challenge at summerfest.tscpl.org • Download books, movies and music

Less than 2 hours of reading a week during June and July, that’s all it takes to get a free book and other fun and yummy prizes. at tscpl.org/downloads Reading graphic novels and listening to books counts too!

• Visit the bookmobile closest to you.

Schedule tscpl.org/bookmobile Read for free bowling passes and food coupons – just 12 hours of reading in 2 months will do it.at Summer is time to break out the

13-18 years – Spark a Reaction – Read!

© TSCPL 2014

continued on the next page >>

titles you couldn’t get to during the school year – be it your favorite fashion magazine on Zinio, manga or newly published titles.

18 years and up – Literary Elements

Your summer reading program is different this year, though just as gratifying. For every 100 pages you read, earn 1 point. At 12 points, receive a dessert. At 16 points, you are entered to win the grand prize. It’s easy and fun. (Psst! Registering for the adult program gives you an easy way to add your children.)

New this year!

Summer Reading Bonus Game 5 years and up

Conquer 15 online challenges to earn 15 virtual badges. Challenges range in topic from the weather to movies. Each badge requires completion of three quests developed by our brainy librarians! Start the challenge May 23 at summerfest.tscpl.org.

Summer is a great time to discover new authors and stories and spend low-cost to no-cost family time. Taking summer vacation? Remember to pack a couple books on CD or download them to your device via tscpl.org/downloads.

The library is always open at www.tscpl.org and customers can sign up for summer reading there. Just click the “SummerFest” button. Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.

FREE

get outside, Topeka

by Heather McKee • illustration by Elaine Rodriguez

• There are over 100 parks in Topeka, and most neighborhoods have one within walking/bike riding distance. Find the closest park, and visit it!

• The Shunga trail covers almost 10 miles of Topeka. Its paved and perfect for biking or walking.

• Explore the trails behind the Kansas Museum of History.

• Speaking of trails…there are also nature trails at the MacClennan trails near the Governor’s Residence, Warren Nature Area, Shawnee North Community Center, Clarion Woods, Dornwood Park, and a few other locations in town.

• Visit Burnett’s Mound.

• Walk around Lake Shawnee. While there, visit the Ted Ensley Gardens, or any of the many playgrounds.

• Smell the roses at Gage Park.

• Go fishing - Parks & Rec stocks many of the ponds around town with fish.

• Walk around downtown and check out the historical buildings.

• Check out the Kansas River. There are a few river access points around town.

• Play in the Spray Park (inside Jackson Park).

• Walk around Washburn campus. There are quite a few hidden gems there!

• Check out NOTO. • Visit Billard or Forbes Airport, and watch planes take off.

• Explore your own neighborhood.

• Check out a skate park.

• Explore at Iliff Commons.

• Visit Iwig Dairy.

• Grab a telescope and gaze at the stars.

• Visit the Farmer’s Market.

Your guide to Topeka swimming Opening day Saturday, May 24

Lake Shawnee Swim Beach 266-8557

Oakland Pool 368-3857

Visit parksandrec.snco.us and view the aquatics brochure for more information. Swim lesson registration is currently underway.

Open daily 12:30-5pm

Open daily 12-5pm

•ages 2 and older $2

•ages 2 and older $2

•Infant (under 2) Free

Shawnee North Family Aquatic Center 2864040

•Infant (under 2) Free

Garfield Family Aquatic Center 368-3789

Rossville Community Swimming Pool

1600 NE Quincy

714 Main St.

Open daily 12-5pm

Open daily 1-6pm

•ages 2 and older $2

•Adult (13 & older) $3

•Infant (under 2) Free

•Child (3-12) $2

•Infant (under 2) Free

Hillcrest Family Aquatic Center 368-3792

•Infant (under 2) Free

Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center 271-5300

1800 SE 21st St.

300 NE 43 St. rd

Open daily 12-7pm •Adult (13 & older) $5 •Child (2-12) $4

Gage Park, SW 6 & Gage Blvd. th

Open daily 12-7pm •Adult (13 & older) $5 •Child (2-12) $4 •Infant (under 2) Free

Open daily 12-5pm •ages 2 and older $2 •Infant (under 2) Free

801 NE Poplar

$1 MOVIES Want to catch a movie without breaking the bank? The 2014 Summer Movie Express is back with movies for just a buck!

Starting June 3 at Regal Hollywood Stadium runs for 9 weeks.

Starting on June 3, the select titles below will play on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Again, admission to these films during the Summer Movie Express is only $1 and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute.Â

Week 1

Madagascar 3

Hotel Transylvania

Week 7

The Smurfs 2

The Croods

Week 2

Epic

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Week 8

The Pirates: Band of Misfits We enjoy the opportunity for our kids to express their artistic sides whenever they get the hankering. Potwin Pottery is offering the chance to do just that each Wednesday with Paint Me a Story, where the pieces are inspired by the story 10-11a for children and parents.

Week 3

Or snag a chance to get wild with Wacky Wednesday Workshops each Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-3p for kids age 7 and older.

Free Birds

Register by calling 785.228.5700, email to email@potwinpottery.com and check the full schedule at potwinpottery.com. Walkins are welcome as long as there are supplies and room!

Rise of the Guardians

Arthur Christmas Despicable Me 2 Week 4 The Lego Movie Week 5 Adventures of TinTin Week 6 Kung Fu Panda 2

Turbo Walking with Dinosaurs Week 9 Mr. Peabody & Sherman Rio 2

summer food programs offered by local school districts

Seaman’s Summer Food Service Program runs June 1 – August 1 at the meal site of Logan Elementary. Breakfast (7:45a-8:15a) and Lunch (11a-12p) will be served daily to those 18 and under with no fee and no registration required.

Auburn-Washburn’s Summer Food Program runs June 2 – July 25 at the meal site of Pauline Central Primary School. Breakfast (8a – 8:45a) and Lunch (11:15a – 12:15p) will be served to any person age 2 – 18.

Topeka USD 501 is offering an expanded Summer Food Program from June 2 – July 18, with meal sites located at Antioch Family Life Center, Asbury Mount Olive, Avondale East/NET Reach, Central Park Community Center, Chase Middle School, Highland Park High School, Hillcrest Community Center, Meadows Elementary, Quincy Elementary, Ross Elementary, The Salvation Army, Scott Magnet School. Topeka West High School, Westminster Presbyterian Church and the YMCA – Downtown Branch, as well as mobile canteen boxed lunches available at the Central Park Community Center and The Salvation Army sites. Daycares are also welcome. For additional information on meal times and snack information, visit www.topekapublicschools.net, view Channel 14, or call 785.295.3070.

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