Sumatran tigers are a critically endangered species. It’s estimated that there are only as many as 750 Sumatran tigers left in the world, with somewhere between 400 to 500 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. 242 Sumatran tigers are being managed in zoo conservation programs across the world. Of the 74 in North American Zoos, the Topeka Zoo’s Jingga, has given birth to seven of them. “It’s a little bizarre to realize that for this critically endangered species, over 10% of the North American population has been born or lived at our zoo,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley.
The Sumatran Tiger program at the Topeka Zoo is the Zoo’s most successful conservation program. It has a strong on-site education program, an active reproductive program contributing to managed healthy genetic diversity and an in-situ component. “It’s our in-situ component, the armed ranger that our community funds, that is on the ground in Sumatra protecting and saving tigers that we are most proud of,” said Wiley. “That is what makes this so real.”
The Sumatran tiger conservation program from the Topeka Zoo help the Wildlife Conservation Society to employ a ranger named Bajar Johan in Sumatra for a boots on the ground effort to protect Sumatran tigers. Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant is essential to helping provide funds to the Sumatran tiger conservation program by brewing a beer called Tiger Bite IPA. For every draw they sell, they donate a quarter to the Topeka Zoo’s Conservation Fund. That Fund transfers those proceeds to the Tiger Species Survival Plan operated through the Minnesota Zoo. The Tiger SSP transfers the funding to the New York based Wildlife Conservation Society who has a field office on the island of Sumatra. WCS uses the funds generated by beer drinkers in Topeka to employ Badar, which leads to Topekan beer drinkers supporting and funding the active ground conservation efforts for an endangered species half a world away. “Who knew conservation work could be as satisfying as simply ordering the right beer at a local Topeka establishment,” said Wiley.
Since the inception of this unique partnership, Blind Tiger Brewery has been much more
involved than just a quarter a draw. In the bar area of the local brewery you can find a live
video feed from the tiger habitat at the Topeka Zoo. Coasters at the restaurant speak to the
conservation initiative. Even the bones from the bison that are harvested to make bison burgers
find their way to the Topeka Zoo as enrichment for the Zoo’s tigers.
A year ago, four extremely rare Sumatran tiger cubs were born at the Topeka Zoo. It was fitting
that one of those cubs be named by a Blind Tiger patron. The name that was chosen was Kansa
Raja, loosely translated to be Kansas King. Beginning this Friday, October 11, Blind Tiger
Brewery joins the Zoo in celebrating the four cubs first birthday. Starting Friday October 11th
through October 15 (the true birthday for the cubs) Blind Tiger Brewery will donate to the Zoo’s
Conservation Fund $1 for each of the following items that is ordered:
Tiger Bite IPA
Tiger Paws Appetizer
Tiger Wings Appetizer
Tiger-Que Combo Platter
“When else do you get the chance to eat, drink and enjoy for such a great cause? Drink a beer
and save a tiger,” said Wiley.
The Zoo’s celebration of the cub’s birthday will be this Saturday, October 12 and will run from
10:00 to 2:30 with the following activities:
10:00 Special tiger cub enrichment
10:00 – 12:00 – Tiger Keeper available to talk with guests and Docent Education Station
2:00 – 2:30 – Tiger Building Behind the Scenes Tours
All zoo activities are included with zoo admission.
This building replaced an earlier fire station located on the same property that dated to 1892. This new fire station was the product of a public bond, authorized by Topeka’s voters in 1926, specifically for the improvement of the City’s firefighting capabilities, and the construction of new fire stations to accommodate the expansion and development of Topeka’s western suburbs.
Fire Station #4 – 2019
Fire Station #4 – circa 1930
It was constructed during a national period of transition in the design and construction of fire houses, a transition both in terms of building materials, and also in the types and technologies of equipment and personnel they were intended to house. The 1st quarter of the 20th Century saw the transition away from the horse and pump-wagon toward the adoption of the newer technology of the internal combustion engine fire truck.
This development meant that the inclusion of a stable to house a team of horses was no longer necessary. The transition away from the horse and wagon furthermore meant that architects could use a much more reliable array of building materials for fire house construction, such as concrete, tile, and brick. These new building materials then lead to significantly cleaner fire stations, especially within the living quarters of full-time fire fighters.
Frank C. Squires, the architect for Fire Station No. 4, designed the station with a blend of the architectural styles of Collegiate Gothic, and remains largely intact, retaining all of its architectural features dating to its original construction.
Over 3,400 elementary and middle school students will be on hand for the inaugural Topeka Pilots Kids Day Game on Thursday, October 3rd at 10:30 am in Landon Arena. Prior to the game, all attendees will be greeted by Topeka Zoo Docents and Educators who will be on the main concourse featuring four different educational displays. “There will be nineteen schools from nine districts in the greater Topeka area that will be represented at the game,” Said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “This is a great opportunity for us to get our message out in a fun environment filled with kids.” The Pilots Kids Day Game is dedicated to children experiencing hockey in an educational atmosphere.
The education displays is just the first part of the Zoo’s involvement in the event. During the first intermission, the Zoo’s education department will take the ice. The intermission program will focus on animal adaptations including the need for some animals to migrate away from cold environments. “The star of the intermission program will be Lilly a rehabilitated but non-releasable Turkey Vulture,” said Wiley. “Vultures feature a lot of special adaptations. Landon Arena will be the largest indoor space she has ever flown in.”
The Topeka Zoo is one of six outside organizations coming together to partner with the Topeka Pilots to engage youth in a fun and educational environment. Other organizations involved include the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E), and the Topeka Police and Fire departments and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Topeka Pilots have really become engaged in family and youth related community activities,” said Wiley. “We’re thrilled to be part of the Pilots Kids Game Day.”
For additional information, contact Brendan Wiley at 785-506-3797 or bwiley@topeka.org.
The City of Topeka Municipal Court will start a Food for Fines program during the month of October. Any person with a payment due to the Municipal Court between October 1st and October 31st will receive a $25 credit towards their fine with a donation of ten cans of non-perishable canned goods.
All the non-perishable food items that are collected will be donated to Project Topeka.
“I’m pleased that the Topeka Municipal Court is able to help people pay off their fines and help those in need at the same time. The Topeka Community donated over 2,000 pounds of food to Project Topeka last year,” said Municipal Court Judge Lori Dougherty-Bichsel. “We are excited to partner again with Project Topeka, who will distribute the food drive items to food pantries all over our community.”
The food donations allow for a one-time max credit of $25 for each case. The Food for Fines program only allows for credit in cases with payments being made with the court and not in collections. The program cannot be used for court costs, diversion fees, reinstatement fees, restitution or seatbelt tickets.
“Project Topeka is glad that the City of Topeka Municipal Court is working with us to help give back and help the members of our community who need it the most,” said Dan Woodard, President of Project Topeka. “Thirteen percent of people in Shawnee County struggle with food insecurity. Food drives go a long way to help out the 1 in 8 people struggling with hunger in our community.”
Project Topeka is a volunteer organization that distributes non-perishable food items to seven food banks in Topeka and Shawnee County. Since 1986, Project Topeka has collected over 58,000 food items and distributes nearly 200 tons of food annually.
Cans must be taken to the Municipal Court Clerk’s office to receive credit. Dented, rusted, non-labeled, or expired food items will not be accepted. Food must be sealed in its original packaging.
For more information, please call the Municipal Court at (785) 368-3776.
Topeka, KS- KBS Constructors, Inc. and the Citizen’s Advisory Council will be hosting a free community appreciation day at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center on September 28th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. There will be free zoo admission, music and family fun to celebrate KBS’s 30th anniversary.
“KBS is excited to celebrate our 30th anniversary with all of Topeka with a free day at the Topeka Zoo,” said KBS President Dan Foltz. “The free day at the zoo is a great opportunity for KBS to give back to the people of Topeka and celebrate the success of our community.”
The Citizen’s Advisory Council has partnered with KBS this year to provide music and games during the day. There will be raffle prizes and other activities for all Topekan’s to participate in.
“The Citizen’s Advisory Council is overjoyed to be able to celebrate our community at the zoo and to get to know its members better, while celebrating all the wonderful things that Topeka has to offer at the world famous Topeka Zoo,” said Quinton Heights NIA President James Prout.
Admission is free during zoo hours on September 28th. To find out more information on KBS visit www.kbsci.com. For more information on the CAC, visit https://www.topeka.org/government/boards-commissions/citizens-advisory-council/
Topeka, KS- Around 1,000 area fourth graders, their teachers and parents and more than 100 volunteers are registered to attend the 20th Annual Make A Splash Topeka Water Festival at Garfield Park and Community Center Thursday, Sept. 12. This event runs from 9:30 a.m. until 2:05 p.m.
The festival, “Make a Splash Topeka Water Festival,” is part of a program in which festivals are scheduled annually in hundreds of locations around Kansas, the United States and internationally.
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an international, interdisciplinary, water science education program for formal and non-formal educators of K-12 students. The activities are correlated to the state standards and support what students are learning in school. The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE), in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, sponsor Project WET in Kansas.
“Water touches nearly every aspect of our lives. We use water to drink, brush our teeth, wash, cook, clean, grow food, produce energy and more. We depend on water not only to live, but for nearly everything we do. That makes conserving and preserving this vital natural resource essential,” said Laura Downey, KACEE Executive Director. “We designed this event for fourth graders, because water is a topic that is often covered by teachers at this grade and this event supports students’ understandings of this amazing resource. Through the hard work of our many volunteers, the 1,000 fourth graders will participate in hands-on education activity stations and learn about a variety of water topics. Stations will teach students about how water gets from the river to their taps, how we can save water, how we can make sure water is clean and healthy for living things and even how to be safe when recreating on the water, to name just a few. By the end of this fun day, students have a better understanding of how important water is to our lives and what they can do to be good stewards of this shared resource.”
The event is offered free of charge to those who register in advance. Many classes are provided financial assistance with transportation costs.
Sponsors of the Topeka Water Festival include the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE); City of Topeka Utilities Department; Shawnee County Conservation District; Shawnee County Farm Bureau; Upper Wakarusa WRAPS, Middle Kansas WRAPS and Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams; Evergy Green Team; Goodyear Tire & Rubber; Jackson County Conservation District; Pottawatomie County Conservation District; Scott Holloman, CPA, LLC; Franklin County Conservation District; Topeka Audubon Society. Supporters include Arab Shrine Provost Guard Unit; Garfield Community Center and Park; Shawnee County Parks and Recreation; Kansas Department of Health & Environment/Bureau of Water, Watershed Mgt. Section; Kansas Water Office.
For information on KACEE programs, individuals may contact Laura Downey, KACEE Executive Director, at 785-532-3322. For more information about the water festival, contact Molly Hadfield at 785-368-0991 or Laura Downey at 785-532-3322.
Clean Slate Day will take place on Friday, September 20th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Topeka Municipal Court. Clean Slate Day is an opportunity for a fresh start for people with Topeka Municipal Court offenses. This allows them to begin payment plans for outstanding fines and fees, setting new court dates for outstanding warrants and getting old violations expunged all without the fear of arrest.
The Topeka Community Foundation has provided a $5,000 grant to help those who income qualify to pay their outstanding fees and fines. The funds are available on a first come first serve basis.
“Clean Slate Day was a success last year and I’m excited to continue the program and see it grow,” said Municipal Court Judge Lori Dougherty-Bichsel. “This is a chance to obtain a driver’s license after being suspended for years. This could be someone’s chance to have a case expunged which has kept them from pursuing an employment opportunity in our community. We have the ability to help our community members and I am grateful for all our partners that help make this day possible through donations of time, resources, and money.”
Several other services will also be provided during Clean Slate Day including, free legal advice, employment opportunities, options for drivers’ licenses, housing, financial, education, city services, food resources and other social service needs.
Participants in Clean Slate Day need to bring a driver’s license or government issued photo I.D., information about Topeka Municipal Court offenses, proof of household income and a social security card.
Topeka, KS- Mechanical issues in the lower level function rooms of Topeka Performing Arts Center caused an unforeseen circumstance and rendered the spaces temporarily unavailable.
The City of Topeka is addressing the issue and have hired a contractor to mitigate, repair and replace equipment and fixtures as needed. In an abundance of caution, the City and TPAC are working to relocate previously scheduled events from downstairs to alternate dates or to the unaffected upstairs Performance Hall and Meeting Rooms. Clearing the affected rooms will allow the contractor to work unencumbered and to resolve the issues in a timely and efficient manner.
As a result of the work in the lower level of TPAC, Grape Escape, the annual primary fundraiser for TPAC, has been postponed from its originally scheduled date of September 14. An alternate date will be announced soon.
Existing ticket holders for September 14 will be honored for the new date. For any questions, please contact Topeka Performing Arts Center at 785-234-2787 ext. 101
Mayor De La Isla has announced that she has accepted the Vice-Chair position for the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Youth Involvement Task Force.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Youth Involvement Task Force is dedicated to helping our nation’s Mayors provide and expand programming that helps young people (middle school through college) engage in civics, leadership development, internship programs, voter registration, community outreach, and more.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside Committee Chair Mayor Shane Bemis from (Gresham OR), under the leadership of President of the US Conference of Mayors- Mayor Bryan Barnett (Rochester Hills, MI) as we engage our young citizens. The exciting thing of this Youth Task force is that it aims at listening to our youth and harnessing their energy and experiences to shape policy, increase youth voter engagement and increase the number of youth councils across the nation”, said Mayor De La Isla.
“Mayor De La Isla has been a national leader on empowering the youth of our nation. She has been a passionate and outspoken advocate for including the youth voice and perspective in every critical conversation in our communities. I’m pleased to appoint her to this national leadership role and look forward to her contribution”, said by Mayor Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills, Michigan.
“Mayor De La Isla’s intellect, ingenuity, and inclusivity make her uniquely qualified to take on the role as the first-ever Vice-Chair of the US Conference of Mayors Youth Involvement Task Force. Her passion for America’s youth, coupled with her fierce tenacity to solve the issues facing our country make her the perfect fit for this committee in these times. I am honored to serve with her, and as a conference, we have been enriched by her critical insight and inimitable perspective”, said by Mayor Shane Bemis of Gresham, Oregon.
Topeka, KS- On Friday, August 30, 2019, the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center will observe one of the last wishes of its Director Emeritus Gary K. Clarke by opening the zoo for free to the Northeast Kansas community. The wish penned by Gary reads as follows:
“I DO NOT, however, wish to have a public memorial service of any type. If anything, I would prefer a CELEBRATION OF LIFE symbolized by a Free Day at the Topeka Zoological Park with – and this is important – NO speeches, NO tributes, NO eulogy of any kind! This is to be an enjoyable day for families (especially children) at Topeka’s living treasure.”
“This Friday marks the first anniversary of the grand opening of Camp Cowabunga here at the zoo,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “It’s the perfect day to grant Gary’s wish.” Camp Cowabunga is a safari themed animal exhibit at the Topeka Zoo. “It’s almost an autobiographical story of Gary’s professional life.”
The entire zoo will be open Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission will be free for all. A seven minute documentary video will be playing throughout the day in Gary’s Tent at Camp Cowabunga. The video can also be found at www.topekazoo.org . The video describes Gary’s professional careers of a zoo director and safari leader and how those two careers intersected resulting in the Camp Cowabunga experience.