My early Saturday mornings are pretty predictable. At about 8:30 am I show up at a local McDonald’s for breakfast. This morning for some reason I got to thinking about my preference for this particular unit. After all, they all serve pretty much the same food at all McDonald’s locations.

As I thought about it, the best explanation that surfaced was that of the two Micky D restaurants that are about equally distant from my home, I feel most comfortable in the McDonald’s located at 5606 East Central. Other the other unit provides the same quality food and customer service, but at this store, Loretta (manager), Charlene (cashier) and Linda (dining room attendant) are more than just names on a badge. Somehow they have become become ‘real people,’ who even though it’s just for purposes of obtaining my breakfast I enjoy seeing. I like seeing them because they seem to like seeing me, and they remember who I am. When I take my meal to the dining room, there are customers with whom I exchange greetings even if in some cases it is just to nod our heads to recognize each others’ presence. Not quite like “Cheers” of TV sitcom fame because I don’t everyone’s name and they don’t know mine, but when I sit in the dining room many of the other customers have become ‘real people.’ I get a feeling that somehow my relationship with the folks in this restaurant is something more than a simple business transaction or being in the same place at the same time.

If you are looking for entertainment during this holiday season, check out the All About Wichita Calendar.

‘Tis The Season

The above cartoon by Pat Bagley of the Salt Lake Tribune sort of summarizes how I feel about this Christmas season. Actually, it’s not just the Christmas holidays, but every one of them. Buy! Buy! Buy to celebrate the birth of the Christian’s savior. Buy! Buy! Buy to honor a vet. Buy! Buy! Buy to honor a Martin Luther King. It seems like every major holiday needs to be celebrated by spending money. If nothing else, we are told, if the American consumer (who supposedly drives 70% of the US economy) spends, spends, and spends some more the economy will bounce back and to quote a song lyric from the Great Depression, “Happy Days {will be} here again. Wow! What I don’t understand, however, his how buying something that one does not need and was most likely not made in the USA economically helps the majority of people in this country.

Frankly, in this time of economic pain for many of our fellow citizens, there seems to be something wrong with this concept, particularly given that my extended family’s basic needs are being more than adequately met. Therefore, this holiday season, I am going to do something different. I am going to limit the gifts to $25 gift cards per person and I am going to purchase the cards at one or more local stores. It’s been shown that a greater percent of the money spent in locally owned businesses stays in and benefits the local community. The money that I would normally have spent (probably an extra $100 per person) will be donated to several local charities. This will be above and beyond the amount that I normally contribute this time of year.

I am not sure why I am making this gesture. I think that part of it is that I am getting tired of being seen as nothing more than a greedy and mindless consumer. Another part is a desire to be a helping part of my community, and very possibly when I see the need of those less fortunate, I think, “There but for the grace of God …”

In any event, I am certain that not everyone will want to adopt my minimalist holiday season. However, if anyone is looking to donate to one or more worthy causes, here is a list of organizations that can use your help.

Other deserving organizations can be found on our list of links to non-profit organizations.

If you are looking for entertainment during this holiday season, check out the All About Wichita Calendar.

Wichita Featured in Dwell Magazine

We were surprised and delighted to find that there’s an 8-page feature article about downtown Wichita in the latest issue of Dwell magazine. The October 2011 issue of Dwell is now available at area bookstores and magazine stores. The magazine specializes in architecture and design and describes itself as “at home in the modern world.”

The table of contents describes the feature, Building Community. “A visit to Wichita, Kansas, reveals a vibrant arts community – and the Finn lofts, a modern 25-unit building by El Dorado Inc. We peek inside three units to see how residents have made the light-filled, brick-walled spaces their own.” It also includes photos of other downtown sites, including the Fisch Haus.

While we may take issue with the accuracy of some of the text, the photos are great and all in all, it’s great coverage for Wichita, Kansas.

Kansas State Fair

The Kansas State Fair begins this Friday. This annual event which is held at the State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson offers something for most anyone. Events include carnival rides, grandstand musical performances, agricultural and other Competitions, and food. Dates are all day September 8 thru September 16.

Fall FloraKansas Plant Sale

Now that the temperatures have gotten out of the triple digits, it’s time to think about gardening, specifically fall planting. For those who need to restock plants which didn’t survive this summer’s combination of high heat and little water the Dyck Arboretum‘s Flora Kansas offers the opportunity to purchase plants that are best planted in the Fall. FloraKansas is the largest native plant sale in Kansas and offers hard-to-find native and adaptable plants. Hundreds of varieties of plants are available, many locally grown. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions and give suggestions. The public portion of the sale is 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday, and 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday.

9/11 Unity Gathering

Sunday offers a September 11^th Memorial Service. The public is invited to a community wide “9/11 Unity Gathering” filled with music and centered around three words: remembrance, struggle and hope. This event is for people of all religious traditions, spiritualties, or convictions. The event will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Andover. There will be performances by Friends University’s Singing Quakers, Hesston College’s Bel Canto Choir and Newman University’s Troubadours. Also performing will be internationally acclaimed baritone soloist Anthony Brown, Jakub Omsky principle cellist of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Hindu Dancers. The service begins at 3:00 pm. Sponsors are Global Faith in Action and Peacing It Together Foundation.

If you are looking for other things to do, check out the All About Wichita Calendar.

We apologize for the length of time since our last post.

We took a road trip to Maine for a family reunion. Liz and I stayed with my sister at her farmhouse in Brooklin. Brooklin is a small town on the coast in an area that is traditionally known as Down East. As a youngster (about 55 years ago) I used to spend summers on my grandfather’s farm in Brooksville which is the next town over, so this trip was an opportunity for me to revisit family and scenes of my past.

One place that was a “must do” for both Liz and me was the Bagaduce Lunch. If you like seafood, this is a place for you. They serve lobster rolls, crab rolls, scallops, and fried clams. Everything is “take out” though you can eat your meal down back on picnic tables set along the Bagaduce River. I have been eating at the Bagaduce Lunch since the early 1950s when I started spending my summers in Maine. Liz has been eating there since the summer of 1964 when we spent our honeymoon in Brooksville. It’s great food, which is even more enjoyable when you are surrounded by family and old friends.

Although not part of my ancient past, another tradition when we visit Maine is Nervous Nellies which is located on Big Deer Isle. When we visit, we always enjoy coffee or tea and scones. Of course, what makes the scones particularly outstanding is the assortment of wonderful jams and jellies you can spread on them. As a result, there were two cases of assorted jams and jellies in the car on our drive back to Kansas. One of them belonged to my daughter, and she was really lucky that I gave it back to her when we arrived back in Wichita. As we only get back to Maine about every five to seven years, we fill our hunger for Nervous Nellies products by ordering one or two cases just before Christmas every year.

A significant part of the Nervous Nellies experience is seeing the sculptures by Peter Beerits which are placed throughout the grounds. We have posted a slide show featuring some, but by no means all, of his works.

Good News! Mayor Carl Brewer announced today that from October 1 through November 15, 2011, the Wichita Public Library will host The Big Read. The Big Read is a National Endowment for the Arts initiative that centers on an entire community reading the same book. This year’s The Big Read will focus on The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. Information about the book may be found on the The Big Read – Wichita website.

So as to include young people in The Big Read, the following related books were selected by the Big Read-Wichita partnership:

• Pre-K and early elementary: The Wall by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himler;
• Late elementary: The Buddha’s Diamonds by Carolyn Marsden and Thay Phap Niem
• Middle school: Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American Boy by Andrea Warren.

The Big Read – Wichita Kickoff will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Wichita Art Museum. Author Tim O’Brien will appear at Wichita State University’s Hughes Metropolitan Complex from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3. There is no charge for admission to either event. Other free activities include book discussions at area libraries. We’ll update the All About Wichita Calendar as new events are announced.

The NEA presents The Big Read in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Kudos to the Wichita Public Library for its fourth The Big Read grant!

If you are looking for things to do, check out the All About Wichita Calendar.

Nicholas, is still missing. Haven’t had any sightings for the last week. There was a story in the Wichita Eagle about a week ago that told about a dog who was missing and returned to his owners after five years, so Liz and I continue to hope for his safe return. Just a reminder, should you see a large, black, shaggy poodle, please contact City of Wichita Animal Control before calling us. Their phone number is (316) 350-3360. They will probably be more successful at capturing him that we would.

You have no doubt heard about the tornados that struck Joplin, MO about a week ago. The animal shelter there will need help and support as there will be many displaced animals. If you can offer temporary shelter to some of these companions, please contact Patricia.Morriss. For those who don’t know her, Pat is well known in the community for her animal rescue efforts through Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection, Inc. (LAPP). LAPP saves animals that have been abandoned, abused or were relinguished by their owners. The kennel also tries to rescue animals from other over-flowing shelters to save them from being euthanized. LAPP does not euthanize animals.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Final Friday. As the name suggests, Final Friday happens the last Friday of each month. Art galleries, museums,restaurants and retail shops around Wichita stay open late and welcome visitors.

This is Memorial Day weekend. The Wichita Wind Ensemble will help you get an early start with a Patriotic Pops Concert. This hour long event will be great opportunity for the entire family to enjoy performances honoring veterans and America. There will two Saturday concerts, one at 3:00 pm and one at 8:00 pm. They will be held at Friends University’s Sebits Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

There are other events. Check out the All About Wichita Calendar for a much more complete listing.

Our big black standard poodle, Nicholas, is still missing. Nicky, who is unclipped and looks like a labradoodle, was seen about a week ago by the Eastborough pond. Last Friday, I was called out to see a black poodle-like dog which was running loose in College Hill, but it wasn’t Nicky. Just a reminder, should you see a dog who looks like Nicky, please contact City of Wichita Animal Control before calling us. Their phone number is (316) 350-3360. I was told by an animal control officer at the Shelter that if a licensed dog is brought in, they will contact the owner, and my experience so far is that every time I arrive at a Nicky sighting, the dog is no longer in the area. Our search is discouraging, but several animal control people have said that sometimes dogs are found after several months on the loose. Liz and I continue to live in hope.

If you are looking for a way to keep your kids reading during the summer, get them involved in the Wichita Public Library‘s summer reading programs. These programs accommodate beginning readers to teenagers. Participants can sign up beginning May 26. There are two programs to choose form – one for all ages and another for teens.

The Summer Reading Program for Kids is for babies to age 17 and begins with a free kick-off party at the Central Library. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.” Participants set their own reading goals; upon meeting them, they win prizes, including a free book. Any books kids read on their own, to another person, or have read to them count towards their goal. Last year, more than 11,000 youth participated. In addition to the reading program, kids can enjoy free storytelling, music, dance, magic, and other events at locations throughout the city. See http://www.wichita.lib.ks.us or your library for a complete list.

The Teens Read Summer Program is for ages 12-17 or kids entering grades 6-12. This year’s theme is “You Are Here.” Teens enter to win prizes based on the amount of time spent reading. Grand prizes include a $100 Visa gift card, $50 Visa gift cards, and an Amazon Kindle. All teens who read at least three hours earn a free book! In addition, participating teens enjoy free book parties, robotics, animation, gaming, and other events at locations throughout the city. See http://www.wichita.lib.ks.us or your library for a complete list.

Liz and I are great fans of public libraries. As many of you know, Liz does a children’s books website for About.com, which is part of The New York Times Company. To get an idea of the value of libraries, see her article Save Money at Your Public Library.

There are a number of activities this week that particularly piqued our interest this week.

First, while we are talking about library programs, Liz and I would like to note that the Friends of the Wichita Public Library in partnership with Book-A-Holic, is holding a four-day used book sale this week. The event is being held at the Book-A-Holic warehouse located behind the store at 601 N. West Street. Hours are 9 am to 6 pm Thursday through Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm Sunday. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wichita Public Library.

On Friday evening, you can join chamber music enthusiasts for an evening of “FUNraising.” This is a fund raiser for Chamber Music at the Barn. There will be a variety of live music, great food, door prize drawings, and opportunities to purchase $10 contest tickets to “win big.” Yes, one lucky winner could win $20,000. The evening will culminate with the showing of Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie, “The Kid,” with original music score for chamber orchestra by Arri Simon, performed live. This fund raiser will be held at Prairie Pines. Additional information is available at the Chamber Music at the Barn website.

This Friday through Sunday, the Wichita Wingnuts play the El Paso Diablos. Games are at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Game times are 7:05 pm on Friday and Saturday with a 5:05 pm start on Sunday. Information about tickets and seating can be found at the Wingnut website.

There are too many events to list individually. Check out the All About Wichita Calendar for a much more complete listing.

Regrettably, Nicholas is still missing. He hasn’t been seen for about a week now. Yesterday Liz got a call from someone at the Shelter who told her that they thought they had just taken custody of a dog matching Nicky’s description. We were thrilled because both of us assumed that they got our phone number from his license tag. As it turns out, however, the dog somewhat matched the description on one of the flyers we had posted on their bulletin board. The really nice thing about the call, even though it was a false alarm, is that someone at the Shelter took the time to try an match a dog to an owner’s description. As I noted in an earlier post, some of the folks working at the Shelter take an “above and beyond” interest in seeing animals reunited with their human companions. We would like to express our appreciation for their extra interest. We would also like to express our appreciation for our “neighbors,” both near and far who have patrolled their neighborhoods looking for Nicky.

Just a reminder, should you see a dog who looks like Nicky please contact City of Wichita Animal Control before calling us. Their phone number is (316) 350-3360. I was told by an animal control officer at the Shelter that if a licensed dog is brought in, they will contact the owner, and my experience so far is that every time I arrive at a Nicky sighting the dog is no longer in the area.

There are a number of featured activities this week.

The first event of note is the Second Annual Wichita Highland Games and Celtic Festival which will be held Saturday and Sunday at Sedgwick County Park. Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. Events include heavy athletics, Celtic music, crafters, food and other entertainment. We suspect that if you were to attend you might even hear some bag pipers playing “Scotland The Brave.” Tickets are available at the door.

It being the planting season, let us remind you that Saturday is the last day for the Dyck Arboretum’s Flora Kansas. Customers will find plants adapted to Kansas’ challenging climate at affordable prices. Purchases will help support the Arboretum’s mission. Liz and I have several plants we purchased at Flora Kansas, and they have thrived for many years in our yard’s hard Kansas clay, wet springs and arid summers.

The last we heard, tickets were still available for Arts Partners Tunes on the Tarmac fundraiser. Enjoy a Sterling Silver tenderloin dinner, drinks, and delicious cakes on every table. Hand-painted martini glasses with the event’s signature martinis will be available. Chances are you will find something you can’t live without in the auction of great “experiences” and unique items. Then dance to Wichita’s own Blue-Eyed Soul! This fun event is held in a Midwest Corporate Aviation hanger. The event commences at 6:30 pm and ends at 11:00 pm. Check the web site or call (316) 262-4771 for ticketing information.

Also on Saturday, the Great Plains Traveling Vaudeville Show will be featured at the McPherson Opera House. This show is a world premier! A band of talented Kansas performers will present a turn-of-the-century (talking early 20th here) vaudeville show. Fast paced action includes music, comedy, skits, and declamations. Showtime is 7:00 pm. Ticketing information is available at the Opera House web site.

Lastly, on Sunday we have two fundraisers. The timing seems to be such that, if you are so inclined, you could attend both. First, at 2:00 pm Music Theatre of Wichita is sponsoring Kelli O’Hara in Concert at Century II Concert Hall. Then, at 5:30 pm Old Cowtown Museum offers a BBQ Dinner & Auction Fundraiser. Additional information about both events may be found at the respective sponsors’ web sites.

If none of the above events appeal, check out the All About Wichita Calendar to see if there are any other events that may be of interest to you.

Nicholas is still missing. However, at 8:00 this morning, I received a phone call indicating that he had been seen the College Hill neighborhood at 3rd and Roosevelt. I am very confident in the sighting because the caller described the dog she had seen in great detail down to the color of his dog tag. Of course by the time I got there, he had disappeared. Liz and I probably spent a combined three to four hours cruising the neighborhood but to no avail. Should you see Nicky please contact City of Wichita Animal Control before calling us. Their phone number is (316) 350-3360. I was told by an animal control officer at the Shelter that if a licensed dog is brought in, they will contact the owner.

I really appreciated the call about Nicholas. However, I was also fascinated by the sense that I was part of a larger caring community. The caller patronizes “My McDonalds” at Central and Edgemoor. Liz and/or I eat breakfast there several days a week. The store has let us put signs about Nicky on their door. I know most of the morning crew and many of the regular customers by sight and a couple by name. My caller is one of the requlars whose name I do not know. Since Nicky went missing, she has always made it a point to ask about our search when we have seen each other. In addition, totally unsolicited, she offered to canvas the neighborhood this evening and to keep an eye out for Nicky when she walks her dog. I partially attribute this care and kindness to the relationship we share through the sense of community that results from regular though mostly impersonal contact at breakfast.

There are a number of featured activities this week.

First, Bethel College presents Wit Thursday through Saturday. The play follows the last hours of a single, middle-aged academic and Donne scholar, Vivian Bearing, as she is dying of ovarian cancer after undergoing an experimental and aggressive regime of chemotherapy. Performances are at the Krehbiel Fine Arts Center at 7:30 pm. Ticketing information is available at (316) 283-2500.

Starting Thursday and continuing through Sunday the St. James Episcopal Church Guild Hall Players present The Stories of Ruth. This musical sensitively tells the inspiring Biblical story of the young woman Ruth as she left her home to go with her widowed mother-in-law Naomi to return to Bethlehem and become one of history’s great role models of faith and devotion. The story of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible told from a woman’s perspective. It is also unusual in that its title character was a Gentile convert who became the great grandmother of King David and was in the line of Jesus. Thursday through Saturday curtain time is 8:00 pm. Sunday curtain is at 7:00 pm. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the Church’s office at (316) 683-5686.

Prairie Rose Western Days is Friday through Sunday. This event is an annual festival focusing on the old west. The festival has activities for all ages, providing equal emphasis on both entertainment and history. Each year, we feature activities such as cowboy music, cowboy poets, trick ropers, Indian dancers, gunfighters, reenactors, rides, historical seminars, artists and craftsmen, classic cowboy movies, and much more! The venue is at Prairie Rose Chuckwagon in Benton, KS. See the website for further details.

On Saturday and Sunday the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum host the 52nd Annual Art, Book and Craft Fair. Each year, the Fair focuses on the presentation of high-quality arts and crafts handmade by artisans around the country. Over 80 artists will be selling original art including paintings, drawings, photography, prints, jewelry, ceramics and sculpture as well as one of a kind crafts. This year, for the first time, there will be several musical performers who will be performing throughout the weekend. The Fair will also feature several speakers who are well known artists and art scholars in the community.

Check out the All About Wichita Calendar to see if there are any other events that may be of interest to you.

Just a carryover from the last blog – we have still not found Nicholas, our standard black poodle. We had what I consider to have been a pretty reliable siting last Friday. He was seen at Hampton and Crestway (a block north of Central between Rock Road and Woodlawn). Of course by the time I arrived he had disappeared and after many drives/walks through the neighborhood, he has yet to be seen again. Liz and I live in hope and still check the shelter at least daily to see if he has been turned in. If you live in Wichita, we would appreciate it if you would continue to watch out for Nicky. Should you see him please contact either us or City of Wichita Animal Control.

Liz tends to operate with the philosophy that good can result when bad things things happen. In this instance, one positive benefit to Nicky’s disappearance is that we have a new canine addition to our household. In our multiple visits to the Animal Shelter, we noticed a shaggy black dog who would perk up every time one of us would walk by his cage. After his three day stay at the shelter, he was transferred to the Kansas Humane Society. As soon as he became available for adoption we did. We named (re-named) him Henry. Supposedly he is a Tibetan Terrier though it is sort of hard to tell given his current shaven hair style. In any event, we are certain the he will be a valued addition to the Kennedy household.

On a lighter note, those who know us well understand that both Liz and I are voracious readers. For my “light” reading I enjoy what could best be described as police procedurals. Within the last year I have discovered Alafair Burke. She appeals to me on a number of planes. Alafair is a Wichita native, having graduated from East High. In fact, she was a class mate and friend of one of my co-workers. She also appeals to me because one of he fictional characters is a Ellie Hatcher, New York City Police detective with connections to Wichita. Another, Samantha Kincaid, is a Prosecutor in Portland, Oregon, a city to which I feel connected because my son lives there. Her most recent book, Long Gone, to be published in June, though based in New York, does not feature Hatcher or Kincaid. It will be interesting to see if the book holds my fascination as well as have her past efforts.

There are a number of offering this week that you might enjoy.

First, tonight is Final Friday. Art galleries, museums,restaurants and retail shops around Wichita stay open late and welcome visitors. Hours vary between galleries but all are open during the core hours of 7p.m. to 9 p.m. Most galleries use Final Friday to unveil and debut new shows or as a closing reception. All venues are free and open to the public and several galleries incorporate artist demonstrations and/or live music. Not only does this event give guests the opportunity to view creative art space, it also is an excellent time to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from artists. Though Final Friday was initially a Downtown happening, participation now includes sites in both far East and West Wichita. Information regarding Downtown participants may be found by clicking on the above link. Information about non-downtown participants possibly may be found in the All About Wichita Release Page.

Also, tonight Stimulus will be performing from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the newly opened KTC Café. The Café is open to all and offers great food served up in an alcohol/drug free atmosphere where everyone can have fun, meet privately, play pool, hang out by the fireplace, watch movies…you name it!

Tonight (7:00 pm) and tomorrow (2:00 pm & 7:00 pm) the Friends University offers “Symphony of Spring.” From moving ballads to up-tempo dance numbers to the majesty of full orchestra and chorus, the Singing Quakers present a Broadway showcase of the full range of performing arts at Friends University. Performances will be at Sebits Auditorium on the Friends campus. For ticketing information call 316-295-5677 or 1-800-794-6945, ext. 5677

Lastly, the Symphony Showhouse starts this Sunday. This event is a biennial project of the Women’s Association of the Wichita Symphony. Dates are May 1-22. This year’s Symphony Showhouse is a spectacular home in College Hill. Decorators have been working frantically preparing the home for visitors. For more information concerning hours and amenities see the Showhouse website.

Check out the All About Wichita Calendar to see if there are any events of interest to you.

The best description for this past weekend is probably contained in the phrase, “The best laid plans…” With all that was going on Liz and I had planned to attend a number of events, but our plans were overtaken by life. Last Wednesday night, our two dogs figured out how to get out of their fenced yard. Apparently they used an old log as a springboard to jump the fence as all the gates were closed.

With the help of neighbors about a block away, we were able to find and capture Rogan. However, Niki, who is mostly afraid of strangers, ran when attempts to corral him failed. We have not seen him since though we have been told that he has been sighted in the neighborhood on a number of occasions.

I think that for pet lovers, nothing can be a worse experience than having your companion disappear. The uncertainty is numbing. Yes, there is emotional pain when you have to have a pet put down, but there is also a finality with death. One may not want to accept it, but a pet’s death offers closure. With a run away pet, however, there is no conclusion.

In our attempts to recover Niki Liz and I have done the put up signs thing. We have also advertised in the Wichita Eagle, on wichita craigslist, Wichita Lost Dogs, and Wichita Petfinder. Lastly, we have spent a lot of time driving and walking around the neighborhood.

One of the better resources we have found is the City of Wichita Animal Control Facility. They upload information, including pictures, of newly received animals to a service called PetHarbor within an hour of the time that they are brought in to the facility. Liz and I check this site at least daily. We also visit the facility, which is located at the southwest corner of K-96 and Hillside, every two to three days. Given the stereotypes most of us probably have about “The Pound,” both Liz and I have been favorably impressed. Though it is discouraging to walk through kennels filled with healthy animals who would probably make wonderful pets, the facility is bright and clean. Also, we noted that the dogs at least were being fed Science Diet which is probably higher quality food than most of them usually eat. All in all, we are very favorably impressed by this obviously well run operation.

At this juncture we are still looking for Niki. Clicking on the picture above will take you to the poster that Liz which we have posted in and around the neighborhood. If you spot a dog looking like him, please give us a call.

Another fun thing last week was that Liz and I finally had to write checks for the unpaid portions of our Federal and State income taxes. For what it is worth, our combined income taxes represented about 20% of our gross income. While that is a lot of money, I think that it was a cheap price to pay for all the benefits I receive by being able to live in this country. If that’s what it takes from me to foster a community that meets the needs of its citizens for food, shelter, health, and education so be it. I have a lot of difficulty with people who enjoy the largesse that is the United States while complaining that their taxes are too high. This is probably one of those “When I was your age” statements, but in my 69 years, I don’t believe that I have ever seen an America that was greedier and more short sighted than what I am seeing today.

One good think that happened recently, Dyne Quick reopened about two weeks ago. This is a diner that is located at 1202 N. Broadway. Back when I was working five days a week, I probably ate there three or four days a week. The primary attraction was the staff, particularly Glenda. The restaurant closed in late 2008, and from my perspective has been sorely missed. In the ten days since I discovered that the diner re-opened, Liz and I have eaten there once, and I have eaten there four times. The food is good and inexpensive. The service is outstanding.

There are several events of note this weekend.

Wichita Community Theatre is presenting To Kill A Mockingbird Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 pm. WCT is located at 258 N. Fountain. Ticketing information is available at the WCT website.

Then on Saturday between between 2:00 and 5:00 WCT is hosting Shakespeare’s Birthday Party. This free event will feature musicians, dancers, fencing, falconry, and royalty. There will also be performances by Theatre on Consignment, Guild Hall Players, students from Newman University, and, of course, The Bard himself! Cake and punch will be served. The party is open to the public.

From Thursday through Sunday the Wichita Center for the Arts presents Tartuffe which is a social comedy that lampoons false piety and hypocrites. Performances are at 8:00 pm except for Sunday which is at 2:00 pm. For ticketing information see the Center’s website.

There are other happenings. See the All About Wichita Calendar to see if any are of interest to you.