Topeka Kansas Photographer

This last saturday 6/25/2011 the Beverly Bernardi Conservatory of Dance located at 5938 SW 17th St. (just off of 17th & Wanamaker) here in Topeka held a fundraiser for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The event was held from 12-3 and over $500 was raised from passers by that generously gave to the cause. The money will go towards the Reading, KS and Joplin, MO. Am. Red Cross Disaster efforts.

It was a lot of fun watching the work that the kids and adults did to raise funds. Some of the participants dressed up in their performance costumes while others opted to use some of Ms. Bernardi’s extensive selection of storybook character outfits. One of the things that really helped raise money was the generosity of Cici’s Pizza here in Topeka that donated 50 free meals. Donors that donated a minimum of $5 to the Red Cross received a free Cici’s Pizza Buffet coupon for as long as the coupons lasted. Everyone that donated anything recieved a cookie or muffin courtesy of Perkins. (Pretty good deal, huh?)

The encouraging thing about the whole event was that by a few people donating a couple of hours of their Saturday afternoon to raise some money and the gracious generosity of the citizens of Topeka it showed what can be accomplished to help people that have experienced a tragic event in their lives. I hope that other groups get the same idea and they too can see what can be done.

If you are wanting to have a fund raiser for the American Red Cross call the Topeka chapter at 785-354-9239. They will arrange for Red Cross volunteers to come and give support, supply the collection buckets and hang up a sign.

Bradley’s Corner Cafe located at Laurent & North Kansas Ave. is Topeka’s little secret. Known for it’s “comfort food” and fresh made daily pies it has been in the old Kaw Valley State Bank Building for about the last 6 years. Brad is the owner and his son Ryan is the manager. It doesn’t take very long for the staff to get to know who you are and what you like to eat. This place offers a bit of a bygone era in the middle of downtown North Topeka.

Iwig Dairy recently opened a little dairy store on Gage Blvd. across from Gage Park. Iwig is also becoming known around Northeast Kansas as the “Family Farm that Could”. Near collapse last year the Iwig’s have fought back against years of “progress” in Kansas farming back to a simpler time where freshness and taste were considered the necessary quality and not just price.

In the store on Gage they offer milk, of course, but also eggs, cheese, ice cream, bread, cream and honey. Is it just me or does milk taste fresher and colder in glass bottles? I’ll tell you one thing and that is if you now use powdered artificial creamer in your morning coffee that is made with high fructose corn syrup do not try Iwig’s Fresh Cream! Their fresh cream is near addictive! If the truth be known I bet you Iwig’s Fresh Cream is a lot more healthy for you as well!  They have a hard time keeping their fresh Strawberry Milk in stock it sells out very quickly!

The next time you drive by the little store on Gage stop in and by some fresh Kansas dairy products. You’ll be buying directly from the farmer and the products they sell are literally “farm fresh” having usually been made in Techumseh (suburb of Topeka) the day before.

About: Tom Harrington is a photographer and co-owner at Harrington Photography,llc Topeka, KS. Since 1993 Harrington’s has been “Capturing Life’s Memories” of the people in Topeka and Northeast Kansas. Our photography studio is located at 806 SW 12th St. Our phone number is: 785-233-3827. Harrington’s specializes in weddings, families, children and senior photography (the milestones in people’s lives).

On Wed. of this week I stopped in the Blue Planet Cafe located in beautiful downtown Topeka,KS for lunch. Blue Planet is Topeka’s only vegan restaurant and coffee shop. For you carnivores don’t worry though because as I understand it they have a great turkey or roast beef sandwiches in addition to their meat free options. The Blue Planet is quite laid back and the staff are friendly and helpful. I sat at the counter and passed the time of day with a nice gentleman at the counter which I later found out that he was the owner of Gizmo Pictures and his wife is the owner of the cafe. After my soup (Samosa soup – featuring potatoes and peas swimming in a mild, balanced curry broth) and fresh salad I looked around the cafe a little bit. In the back there is a beautiful meeting room that is available for rent.

As I was looking around the cafe and taking a few photos I met an interesting man named Brad. Brad was standing there ordering his lunch with his full white beard, suspenders and hat. I said to him “can I take your picture?” and he said sure “you want to see my compost pile?” a little taken back (very briefly) I said that I didn’t think I did! But after learning how passionate Brad is for compost my interest was peaked and after he had finished his lunch we proceeded to his compost pile in the alley behind the cafe. Take a look at the little video of Brad talking about compost and also notice the image I took of the thermometer in the compost about 130 degrees! Brad was very pleased with the reaction that was occuring!

This little outing today was truly a Topeka serendipity. I had a great experience at the Blue Planet Cafe and got to meet several new friends Brad, Timothy the barista and Jeff the owner’s husband, fun afternoon!

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches this coming Thursday if you find yourself in need of beads for the parade you need to visit the Topeka Carnival Supply located in North Topeka. The guy that runs it is really nice and I have a feeling that he would really appreciate your business. If you have never been in the store you really owe it to yourself to visit the store and look around. The store is literally packed to the rafters with all kinds of costumes, beads, cotton candy machines, gag gifts and even some stage makeup. If you don’t see it just ask and he probably has it! So go over the bridge and check out Topeka Carnival Supply it is located just catty corner (can you tell I’m from Kansas?) from Brad’s Corner Cafe (a whole other post soon)!

About: Tom Harrington is a photographer and co-owner at Harrington Photography,llc Topeka, KS. Since 1993 Harrington’s has been “Capturing Life’s Memories” of the people in Topeka and Northeast Kansas. Our photography studio is located at 806 SW 12th St. Our phone number is: 785-233-3827. Harrington’s specializes in weddings, families, children and senior photography (the milestones in people’s lives).