Topeka New Year's Eve Safe Rides

If you plan on drinking tonight for New Year's Eve, take advantage of these free safe rides available to Topeka and Shawnee County residents.

--Briggs Auto Group and Heartland Beverage sponsor the "Tab for the Cab" program available between 8pm Monday and 2am Tuesday for those who have had too much to drink. For a ride call (800) 684-4848.

--Care Cab, a joint effort between MADD and AAA, also will offer free cab rides to Shawnee County residents after 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve. The ride, provided by Yellow Cab, is free to the caller as long as he or she is calling from a public establishment and transported to a private residence within Shawnee County. Call (785) 357-4444 to request service.

Have a safe and happy holiday!!

Attention Northeast Kansas Astronomists

Whether you are a budding astronomer or just a curious stargazer the Northeast Kansas Amateur Astronomers' League can open your skies. The NEKAAL was founded in 1978 and is open to amateur or even professional astronomers of all ages. Members can enjoy monthly speakers on topics relevant to astronomy, open houses at Fairpoint Observatory, and "Star Parties."

If you are interested in the NEKAAL visit their website at:
http://www.nekaal.org/

Parks & Recreation of Topeka

Check out the 2008 Winter/Spring Parks & Recreation catalog. Activities are available for youth, adults, and seniors. Classes begin enrolling immediately!

View the entire Parks & Rec catalog at:
http://www.topeka.org/parksrec/pr_catalog.shtml

Kansas Turns to Wind Energy

Construction is underway in Lincoln and Ellsworth counties on Kansas' fourth wind farm. The 56 turbines are anticipated to generate enough power for a town of about 33,000 people. Use of wind towers has caused some controversy in the sunflower state. Some traditional environmental groups oppose the development and believe the turbines will obstruct scenic Kansas views for landowners and tourists. Many ranchers, on the other hand, are enthusiastic about the potential land rental income of $2,000 per turbine. As for the future of Kansas wind farms, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has set a goal to provide 10 percent of the state's energy through wind power by 2010. National goals are 20 percent of the country's energy power produced from wind by 2030.

For more information on the newest wind farm:
http://cjonline.com/stories/122607/bre_wind.shtml

Topeka's Blues Bar

Need a place to sit back, relax and enjoy the music? Visit Uncle Bo's Blues Bar located downtown in the Topeka Ramada Inn. Uncle Bo's features live national and local blues performers every weekend.

To see upcoming acts performing at Uncle Bo's, visit their website at:
http://www.unclebos.com/main.html

Full Ride Art Scholarships Offered at Washburn University

Current and future Washburn University art students have every reason to get excited. Thanks to a generous estate gift donated by Barbara Buzick, art majors at Washburn will be able to qualify for "full ride" scholarships to the university. Scholarship recipients will receive tuition, books, fees, art supplies, and even room and board.

“This is a wonderful gift,” said Glenda Taylor, chair of the WU art department. “We will utilize this scholarship to recruit and encourage talented young artists. Barbara’s generosity and vision will have a tremendous impact on the future of our students and our art department.”

To find out more about Buzick's gift visit:
http://www.washburn.edu/news/newswire.php?id=view_only&release_id=2406

Key Staffing Holiday Schedule

The Key Staffing office will be closed on Monday, December 24th for Christmas Eve and Monday, December 25th for Christmas Day. The office will reopen 8:00am-5:30pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2007.

Holiday pay schedule for temporary employees is as follows:

-if you fax or drop off a completed and signed timesheet to our office before noon on Friday the 21st, pay checks will be ready for pick up between 3:30pm and 6:00pm. If you do not submit a timecard on Friday, checks will be ready on Friday, December 28th.

-submit timecards for the week of December 24-December 28 on Monday, December 31st. Checks will be ready for pick up on Friday, January 4th.

If you have any questions please call our office at (785)272-9999.

Results of Capital City Cluster Dog Show

Topeka Kennel Club and Manhattan Kennel Club played host to the Capital City Cluster Dog Show at the Kansas Expocentre August 15-18, 2008. ESPN covered the show as part of their "ESPN Show Dog Championship" series and is scheduled to air the event this month. This year's show was the first joint show by the two kennel clubs. It featured 1400 dogs from over 100 different AKC registered breeds.

To find out the results of the Capital City Cluster Dog Show:
http://www.akc.org/events/search/index_results.cfm?action=plan&event_number=2007001501&cde_comp_group=CONF&cde_comp_type=&NEW_END_DATE1=&key_stkhldr_event=
and
http://www.akc.org/events/search/index_results.cfm?action=plan&event_number=2007001502&cde_comp_group=CONF&cde_comp_type=&NEW_END_DATE1=&key_stkhldr_event=

Will Ferrell Brings Comedy Tour to Kansas

Former Saturday Night Live Funnyman, Will Ferrell, will host a nationwide college comedy tour in preparation of the release of his latest movie, "Semi-Pro." "Will Ferrell's Funny or Die Comedy Tour Presented by Semi-Pro" features several up and coming stand-up comedians: Zach Galifianakis, Demetri Martin, and Nick Swardson. The tour will perform at seven major universities including a stop at Bramlage Coliseum at Kansas State University on February 4, 2008.

To see other tour stops or for ticket prices visit:
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/dec07/ferrell120707.html

Ballet Midwest Annual Nutcracker Production

This weekend marks the 31st production of "The Nutcracker" performed by local Topeka dance company, Ballet Midwest. Choreographed to the familiar score composed by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky, "The Nutcracker" is a story of a young girl who receives a nutcracker as a Christmas gift. This gift inspires Clara to dream of toys coming to life, an army of mice, and a dancing Sugar Plum Fairy.

"It's just a wonderful ballet for people who have never been to a ballet before or for children who need an introduction to ballet," states Barbara Ebert, artistic director of Ballet Midwest.

Performances will be Friday night, Saturday and Sunday afternoon at the Topeka Performing Arts Center in downtown Topeka.

For more information on Ballet Midwest, performance times, and ticket prices see:
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/121407/lei_225436225.shtml

Office Humor

A young executive was leaving the office at 6pm when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in hand.

"Listen," said the CEO, "this is important, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?"

"Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button.

"Excellent, excellent!" said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. "I just need one copy."

Hy-Vee to Open in Southwest Topeka

Passing through the intersection at 29th and Wanamaker, Topeka drivers may notice the steady construction of a large, nondescript building on the Southwest corner. By the expected opening in Spring of 2008, the building will be more than nondescript. Hy-Vee, an employee owned grocery retail chain, is currently in the process of building a 75,100-square-foot building at this location. Topekans will be able to stop in to gather a few items off the grocery list, pick up a prescription in the drive-thru pharmacy, order a gift for that special someone in the floral department, or conduct a lunch meeting in the food court. In addition, the new Hy-Vee will also feature a Starbucks inside the store.

To read the official media release:
http://www.topekachamber.org/downloads/07.hy-vee.Topekagroundbreaking082407.doc

KU Heads to Orange Bowl

Number eight ranked University of Kansas football team will compete in the 2008 Orange Bowl, taking on number 5 ranked Virginia Tech. Both teams finished the season with 11 wins and a 7-1 record in their respective conferences. The Orange Bowl will air on Fox at 7:00 PM Central Time on January 3, 2007.

For more information visit:
http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/bowl-07.html

For a full bowl schedule see:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2836420

Kansas National Guard Museum

Are you interested in the history of those who have served in the Kansas National Guard? Forbes Field in Topeka is home to the Kansas National Guard Museum. On display are a mock Cival War encampment, artifacts from the Spanish American War, and items from almost every conflict in U.S. history. In addition to the displays, the museum also contains an extensive military research library and theater with Guard videos. The Kansas National Guard Museum is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday.

To visit the Kansas National Guard website see:
http://www.kansasguardmuseum.org/about.html

Topeka has a Coca-Cola Christmas

Visit the Great Overland Station in Topeka on Saturday, December 8th to celebrate a "Coca-Cola Christmas." Collectors from across the state of Kansas have pooled their collections to bring this impressive display to Topeka.

For more information see:
http://calendar.topekachamber.org/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=5246&year=2007&month=12

Cost of Living in Topeka, KS

In a state by state comparison of home prices, Coldwell Banker ranks Topeka, KS as one of the 25 least expensive cities in the United States. Topeka is not the only city on the list located in the heartland. Eighty percent of the least expensive cities ranked are located in the midwest.

To see a complete list visit:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/26/real_estate/costliest_housing_cities_for_middle_managment/index.htm?postversion=2006092817

Topeka & Kansas Facts

Did you know...

...Topeka High School was the first million-dollar high school built?

...Topeka is the birthplace to the only Native American to serve as Vice-President of the US, Charles Curtis?

...Gypsy Rose Lee gave her first performance in Topeka?

...Topeka is home to the only municipally owned university in the country, Washburn University?

...businessman Harry E. Gavitt of Topeka invented Gavitt's Stock Exchange, one of the most popular and exciting games ever invented?

For more fun facts about Topeka visit:
http://www.topekachamber.org/living_topeka/topeka_kansas_facts_history/little_known_facts.php

Volunteer in Topeka

Looking for volunteer opportunities in Topeka but don't know where to start looking? United Way of Greater Topeka offers Volunteer Solutions to pair interested persons with non-profit agencies looking for volunteers. Opportunities vary from single day events to extended one-year commitments.

If you are interested in finding out more information see:
http://www.volunteersolutions.org/uwgt/volunteer/

Available Topeka Job Opportunities

Premier is looking for qualified technology professionals to fulfill the following positions:

Web Developer

Plan, design, develop, and launch efficient business and operations systems in support of core organizational functions and business processes: design and develop web-related services, develop and implement concepst, policies and standards for the operation of web sites, intranet and a series of cooperative websites. Design, develop, troubleshoot, debug and implement software to solve complex problems from detailed specifications. Proform tasks associated with the production implementation of programs, applications, databases, and web pages. 1-2 month contract $23-27


Network Analyst

Coordinates the day to day operations for network infrastructure, servers, hardware and software. Provide technical support to internal and external customers through the LIT Support Desk. Backup System Administration of production, training and iBistro servers. Perform maintenance and development frunctions to enhance the SIRSI ILS system.


Technology Support Consultant III

This is a senior technical position, providing level 2 and 3 user hardware and software support, systems administration, and configuration management for server, desktop and mobile systems. This position will work closely with IT staff and management providing advanced technical design, testing, implementation and troubleshooting of desktop, client / server application, and LAN systems. $23-29/hr

If you are interested in any of these positions or other IT positions available please contact Premier at (785) 273-9944.