March 13, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

Did you know Patty is a common nickname for Patricia while Paddy is a nickname for the Irish name Padraig, which is where we get Patrick from?

Just getting you prepped for the weekend.

In today's Wichita Life Update

Wichita Public Library
Big Read Program
St. Paddy's Day Events

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

TOGETHER WITH KANSAS PLASTIC SURGERY

Kansas Plastic Surgery provides creative compassionate care to every patient.

For the month of March, when you schedule your personalized enzyme facial with our licensed esthetician, Maria, you will receive a free Skin Script sample skincare product!

Schedule now!

Call KPS at (316)305-9618, or visit our website!

Learn More Here

Wichita Public Library

One of our many gems here in Wichita is the Advanced Learning Library aka the downtown Wichita Public Library.

If you haven’t been, it’s at 711 W 2nd St within a stone's throw of the river.

There is so much to love about the library, but here are a few highlights:

Book Store - operated by Friends of the Wichita Public Library volunteers with proceeds going towards events and collections
Collaboration Rooms - free to reserve on a first-come, first-serve basis
Computers - 39 public use computers, and plenty of other computers in the Teen Pavilion, Children’s Pavilion, and even computers with specialty software in the Maker Space
Outdoor Children’s Area with their STEAM Learning Garden, Musical Instruments, and Collaborative games
You can read the Wichita Eagle for free with your FREE library card
and more!

The downtown library also isn’t the only branch, there are 6 more around town:

Alford, Angelou N.E, Evergreen, Rockwell, Walters, and Westlink Temporary Branches

Library of Things

Another often overlooked perk of our library is the “Library of Things” where adults (18+) can check out up to 2 items at a time just like you would a library book.

This includes:

Binoculars
Chromebooks
Microscopes
Hotspots
Radon Detectors
and more

and for the kids:

Early Learning Backpack kits
Playaway Launchpads
Tonieboxes (if you don’t know what this is, my kids are obsessed)

2024 NEA Big Read: Wichita

The Program

This Saturday, March 16th from 2-4 pm is the kickoff for 2024 NEA Big Read: Wichita and it runs through April 27th.

NEA = National Endowment for the Arts

What does Big Read mean?

The Big Read program encourages residents to read a common book and participate in programs and events held around Wichita over a six-week timeframe.

This year’s book is There There by Tommy Orange.

At the kickoff, you will receive a free copy of the book while supplies last.

This program consists of a bunch of art and cultural segments as well.

There There by Tommy Orange

This New York Times bestseller Tommy Orange traces the intersecting lives of 12 characters from Native communities whose voices and persepctives converge and conflict and reach across generations.

Patterns of chance and circumstance draw each character towards the first Big Oakland Powwow: 14-year-old Orvil, coming to perform a traditional dance for the first time; Jacquie Red Feather, newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind; Dene Oxendene, pulling his life together after his uncle’s death and working at the powwow to honor his memory.

Together, they tell of the plight of the urban Native American – grappling with a complex and painful history, with an inheritance of beauty and spirituality, with communion and sacrifice and heroism.

Events

Two Key Programs for this year include:

March 28 @ 6 pm: “An Urban Indigenous History of Wichita” at the Advanced Learning Library will highlight Wichita’s Urban Native history through stories found in the Library’s archives.

The history of Native Americans in the Wichita area didn't end with the signing of the Medicine Lodge treaty that moved Wichita's first residents to reservations in Oklahoma. Librarian and Citizen of the Comanche Nation Daniel Pewewardy combed the archives for stories about notable Native Americans in Wichita.

This program will highlight his findings and celebrate the Urban Native history of the city we all call home.

April 19 @ 7 pm: “Wichitalks Big Read Edition” at the Wichita Scottish Rite Center, 332 E. 1st St., will feature five-minute lightning-fast talks from residents centered around the topic of generational identity.

10 handpicked individuals each share a 5-minute presentation. You are limited to 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. The presentations are brief and often personal, feeling, insightful, and passionately delivered.

You can apply to speak now through March 18th!

We are just scratching the surface of the events, others include:

Book discussion for adults on 3/18
Big Read storytime for 2-year-olds and pre-school
Peyote Flower Bracelet Beading Class
Lunch Chats
STEM Club
and much more!

For the full list of events, click here.

2024 Big Read

Key partners for this year’s Big Read include:

Mid-American All Indian Museum
Hunter Health Clinic
The Wichita Public Library Foundation
Friends of the Wichita Public Library and KMUW.

The National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest granted the Library a $20,000 grant to host this year’s Big Read.

The Big Read brings together schools, libraries, cultural organizations, businesses, and book clubs to celebrate literacy and learning through a common book.

More information is available at www.bigreadwichita.org.

Many people set a New Year's Resolution to read more, but why not start now?

On your marks. Get set. Read!

TOGETHER WITH R&J DISCOUNT LIQUOR

Come explore the premier destination for spirits enthusiasts in Wichita - R&J Discount Liquor.

Shop from an extensive selection of tequila, whiskey, wine, beer, and beyond!

We are dedicated to providing top-tier wine, beer, and liquor at unbeatable prices, ensuring your celebrations are both exceptional and affordable. Dive into Wichita's most diverse collection of whiskey, carefully chosen to suit both connoisseurs and novices, with our friendly and knowledgeable staff on hand to guide you. Don't miss out on our exclusive online and app discounts and promotions, adding even more value to your shopping experience.

We proudly carry a wide selection of Kansas-made beer, wine, and spirits, because community matters!

LEARN MORE HERE