On Monday, Feb. 6, in Marvin Auditorium 101BC, the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library presents Joe Drape, author and sports writer for The New York Times. From 1–2 p.m., he shares stories that will appeal not just to sports fans but also to anyone who appreciates small towns and Midwestern values.

Our Boys, which chronicles the 2008 Smith Center football season and their historic winning streak with Coach Roger Barta, is a book you’ll want to read. It’s our state’s own version of Friday Night Lights. Coach Barta and his son, Brooks ­talk about the lasting legacy of the 2008 season on Sunday, March 4 from 2-3 p.m. in Marvin Auditorium 101BC.

Attend other events held in conjunction with Kansas Reads. Casual and open to everyone, the Kansas Reads: Our Boys book discussion is Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 7-8 p.m. in Marvin Auditorium 101BC.

The Kansas Reads project, sponsored by Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas, is a statewide initiative to unite communities by reading and discussing the same book. You can check out a copy of the book from the library. Reserve your copy online at catalog.tscpl.org.

While this is a reading initiative, we understand some folks’ preference is for non-print media. That’s why we are holding a Team Spirit Film Series on each Friday in February. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. Watch an inspirational sports story each week for free at the library. More information at: http://tscpl.org/books-movies-music/our-boys-the-2012-kansas-reads-choice or pick up a copy of ConnectNow magazine.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Selected artist for February, Shaylene Rees, is a young photographer who attends Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, Kan. 15-year-old Shaylene was born in Topeka and is a former student of Topeka Colegiate.

The gallery has worked very closely with her to prepare her for this exhibit. She will show her works along with other professional artists and will be guided through the same processes that all artists must learn including framing, pricing, and receptions.

Shaylene was chosen for her talent, technical skills, eagerness to learn, and an exceptional understanding of creative processes for someone of such a young age.

“I started taking photos about four or five years ago, only seriously getting into it two years ago. A year ago, I got my first Nikon. I felt powerful behind that lens and I just started shooting,” says Shaylene.

In 4-H competitions, Shaylene had been getting awards for her photography since she was 9. Last year, she received an award for one of her pictures. “Best Use of Color” was chosen for her photo out of 175 photos.

“So far, that has been my greatest honor. I hope to go further and become a professional photographer,” she says.

“As an artist myself, I can remember a handful of people who played very important roles in the artist I have become. Had I not encountered these people in earlier years, some teachers some artists, my life might be very different. I believe working with young artists is the best way to give back to an art world that has given so much to me. When I was offered the opportunity to work with Shaylene I jumped at the chance. It was the glow in her personality and her passion for art that I noticed most. Young adults such as her are the future of the art world,” says Pam Renovato, The Upstage Gallery Curator.

Shaylene will be on exhibit at for the entire month of February. Opening reception will be held on First Friday February 3, from 5-9 p.m. The Upstage Gallery is located at 720 S.W. Jackson in the Jayhawk Towers.

Artists interested in being considered for this program may contact the curator Pam Renovato at: 785-817-8058 or upstage@jayhawktheatre.com

The fair informs parents about the preschool selection process, helping them decide on a perfect fit for their child. Learn about the enrollment process, curriculum used and what a typical day is like at each program. All families will receive a free directory that provides information about what to look for in a quality program.

Librarians will be educating families about early literacy skills, like the importance of those Mother Goose rhymes or how simply playing with blocks can help develop reading skills. For new parents, ask about joining “Read with Me” and get a free t-shirt for baby. Also, visit with representatives from Children’s Mercy Hospital, Music & Movement, XYZ Magazine, Healthwave and Child Care Aware of Northeast and North Central Kansas.

[ press release | image courtesy of TSCPL ]

As much as I love to cook complicated and involved dishes, I still really love simple but amazing recipes that I can make in a hurry and this is definitely one of them. It takes so little effort to make, and yet all the flavors work so perfectly together. It’s great for an appetizer, lunch or dinner, and it tastes wonderful with a glass of Riesling.

Mediterannean Pita Pizza (makes 2)

Ingredients:

• Flatbread (the pita that you use to make gyros, not the kind with pockets)

• 1 Tbsp minced garlic

• 8 basil leaves or enough to cover the flat bread (leaves vary in size)

• 1 Roma tomato sliced into 8 thin slices

• Can of quartered artichokes

• 1/4 cup of Olives (I prefer black but kalamata are okay too)

• 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbles)

• Olive oil for brushing

Yes, I am alive.

Wait, was that a premature answer to a belief that there were followers that had fallen into a dark abyss left gaping by the temporary absence of this blog? #InMyWildestDreams.

What should I explain first? My absence? Or my newfound adoration of hashtagging anything and everything? #BearWithMe

First, let me explain my absence and the adventures that I encountered while trying to weather the holidays with my two perfect children. #YouRememberEdenandGabeandHowTheyAreWalkingMentalPatients

Shortly after Thanksgiving I became bed-ridden and home-bound with a mystery illness that basically scared the bejeezus out of me, left my doctors puzzled and left me unable to care for my children on my own. #DidIMentionMyHusbandIsAmazing #StormontVailWillRequestTheDeedToYourHouseIfYou’reNotCareful

While in my drug-induced state, I was confined to the now lumpy cushions of my couch and became a bona-fide Facebook stalker via my best friend – the tablet. I became obsessed with a friend of my husband’s that was extraordinarily pretentious, talked only about how he hated married people, yet seemed sad being chronically single and did this crazy thing that I now know is hashtagging every detail of his life. #WhoWouldHashTagConstantly #StalkingIsRealIWorkAtLegalAid

What first became an obsession with mocking said douche bag, Travis and I started hashtagging via normal conversation, then via Facebook, then via e-mail, then via sticky note/planner/text/telephone/any other form of communication you can imagine and we thought it only became more hilarious as it went on. #HumorIsIntensifiedWithPharmaceuticals

Just as I was on the mend, I totaled my car and broke several ribs and fractured my sternum, resulting in more days on the couch, more drugs and more hashtagging. #DecemberWasNotMyMonth #DrunkDriversSuck #NoIWasNotTheDrunkDriver

As I have started to mend, I have been weaning myself from a short-lived painkiller addiction, only to realize that I have another addiction. #I’mSureYouCanGuessWhatThatMightBe

The first sign came in my efforts to keep the dream of Santa alive for Gabe for one more year. At the age of 10, you can imagine that my time with a Santa-believer was dwindling. As I was mostly couch-ridden, I had to conceive of a creative idea to keep the spirit of ol’ Saint Nick alive in the Casa de Watkins. I determined that Santa was going to go virtual. #HoHoHo #IReallyWantAnIPad

I began by programming my own number into my phone as “Santa.” The result – I could text message myself, there would be a short delay and my inbox would beep with a new message from “Santa.” If Gabe tried to call the number, it would automatically request the password (which is actually for my voicemail), but I brushed it off as the parent hotline that required a password for each parent. The ultimate result – it worked like a charm, until Santa hashtagged in response to a question Gabe had posed about getting a motorized scooter – “#InYourDreams.” That pretty much blew the lid on Santa. #ThanksHashTagForRuiningADecadeOfDeception.

The second warning came in my nightly ritual of signing Gabe’s planner, which ensures the staff of 501 that Gabe has completed homework and allows me to communicate with the teacher regarding any questions or concerns. I was unable to attend the party and sent Travis in my place, as replacement room-mother instead (#Don’tEvenGetMeStartedOnMeBeingRoomMother). I sent a note in the planner to alert the teacher of the switch-a-roo and signed it with a #Mr.Mom.

The final blow came in the last two days when I was called out by a dear friend on her growing hatred of my hashtags, me hashtagging a closing statement to a client with “#IApologizeForMyLosingStreak and, finally, Eden entered daycare with a wave and a smile and then a turn of a head, saying “HashTag – See ya Later!”

I realize now it has all been ridiculous. On the bonus, my bones are healing, I am getting back to normal and back to all of my bad mommy antics for my enormous fan base to enjoy. #StillInMyDreamsRight?

Well, it was fun while it lasted. #IWillMissYouPointlessHashTagging #IDon’tEvenTweetTwatWhatever #AmazeballsJustForGoodMeasure

Disclaimer: Bad Mommy Confessions is for humorous purposes only and is not a full representation of the day-to-day life of Ms. Janice Watkins, who has also been known by such nicknames as “Esteemed Mommy” and “Tender-hearted Mommy” in addition to “Bad Mommy.”

[ by Janice Watkins | Jan. 2012 ]

But here’s a new spin that isn’t quite so obvious: no one can ever be fully prepared for toy encounters. Okay, a bit of explanation is warranted here, too. You see, the kids grow up a little and start having opinions about things and start choosing things you wouldn’t normally choose for them. Especially toys. Sure, sure, toys are great! They’re objects that help children discover their surroundings, initiate creative thinking and help them to socialize with their peers by way of sharing.

Yet toys seem to multiply via some secretive nighttime asexual cell reproduction. They may even seem ominous as discarded weapons (just ask my husband who was once unlucky enough to step barefoot on a plastic giraffe ear that was so sharp that it sunk directly into the arch of his foot).

By the time your child hits age 4, and especially when there are other children running rampant in the household, you may have such an avalanche of toys built up that you yourself, the warden of the home, cannot keep track of all the toys. Where did that toy come from? you may wonder aloud several times a month, struggling to remember a last-minute tantrum-avoiding checkout line purchase, a birthday party goody bag or a vacation gift shop purchase.  That is when they sneak up and get you.

Over the past several months, every time I experienced an evil toy encounter, I documented it with my cell phone. And now I’m spreading the fear. Here, let me show you with eerily grainy pictures:

1.) A collection of couch cushion junk. Oh, you know, the usual: barrettes, magnets, rocks, dominoes, giant black leech. GIANT BLACK LEECH. Imagine my happy surprise when I unearthed this mysteriously-shaped object from the inner chasm of the sofa with my bare hands.

Origin: unknown.

Actual purpose: wind-up snake/slug/leech? that makes a comforting buzzing sound when in full play mode.

2.) An outdoor encounter. Here I am, congratulating myself on getting the kids buckled into their car seats in a quick and efficient manner, and I step around the car, enjoying the small moment of silence, when I spy something under the driver’s side WHAT THE HELL IS THAT. Is it dead? Is it going to get me? It’s in my hair! I think I actually ran away a little, I am ashamed to admit, leaving my children unprotected from the MUTANT SEWER CREATURE that was dwelling in a shadow beneath our car. It took me a minute. I had to steady myself, take a deep breath and find a stick to poke it with. Thankfully, it was made of plastic, not radioactively enlarged slime cells.

Origin: after much thought, huh, I kind of remember buying the boy one of those tubes of plastic animals from the gift shop at the museum. This one I think came from a prehistoric sea creatures set. Lifelike. Good job, toy makers.

3.) Halloween exists in a very short window of time for a reason. Oops, I forgot my keys, you guys. I’ll be right BAAAAAAAAAHHHH! Son of a.

Origin: most likely, a school Halloween party goody-bag, although this has never been confirmed.

Actual purpose: to fling against objects repeatedly until either getting the sticky black witch hand tangled in hair, stretched until it is torn in two pieces (which, double the fun!) or until the stickiness abates and mom sneaks the wobbly, eerily soft and limp toy into the trash. Good riddance.

4.) Cheese, the tail-less wonder. It was a routine trip to the bathroom and a cursory glance at the floor that sent me jumping out into the hallway. I have precedence for my fear with this one since last winter had me in a full minute’s standoff with a very casual, lackadaisical gray mouse in my kitchen.

Origin: The oft-overlooked and unsung hero of the Tinkerbell saga, Cheese the Mouse is Tink’s faithful sidekick in Tinkerbell the Movie, the first in the lovable CGI animated Disney movie series. In mint condition, Cheese would normally have a tail. I don’t know who bought this for my daughter. It may have been Santa or (gasp!) even me.

 5.) That thing from that movie my parents never let me see when I was young enough to actually want to watch it. In a brilliant example of the tendency for harried parents to slack on communication, my husband unearthed this grimacing, matted, bat-like creature from his parents’ attic and brought it home and set it – unwashed – in jaunty pose on my daughter’s bed without telling me. While waiting for an update to be installed on this very website, I went about the house looking for things to quickly tidy when this scrappy little creature gave me such a start. I seriously thought – in the millisecond it took the primal part of my brain to process it – that it was a hairy creature from outside (squirrel? raccoon?) that had made its way somehow through my daughter’s closed window. Totoro is like, Who is this guy and why does he hate you?

Origin: My husband’s childhood.

Actual purpose: a cuddly representation of a character from the hugely popular (except to me, apparently) 1984 film, Gremlins. When played with, it squeaks [shudder]. It could have been worse. Its actual purpose to myself? It frightened me for a split second earlier this afternoon, prompting me to write this post. So, thanks, weird bat-eared character. I think?

[ by Leah Sewell | terribly grainy photos courtesy of Leah's phone and taken with trembling hands ]

About the author:

Leah Sewell

Leah used to make magazines out of construction paper, glue and cut-up family photos. She was grounded a lot as a kid. Today she’s a poet, freelance graphic designer, editor of XYZ magazine and mother to Sylvia, 5, and Oliver, 3.

A trio of lanky high school boys pick up their instruments in the corner of a garage. They take a moment to warm up their fingers in the chill before striking the first notes. As the music crescendos, the guitarist and bassist leap into the air, kicking zealously, arms swinging. This is the garage band at its finest. This is 4th & Inches.

The self-labeled pop-punk band consists of Brian McKenzie on guitar and vocals, Alex Goudie-Averill on bass and Jake Regnier on drums. The three are freshmen at Topeka High School, and have been playing in reference to football, one of the sports that the band members love to play. “Fourth and inches” is when the offensive team is on their fourth down, only inches away from getting a first down.

“It’s one of those things where you only have a few inches left, so why not just go for it?” McKenzie said.

Aside from a gig at the Potwin 4th of July Parade, track meets and teen rock mecca Live Music Institute, the band hasn’t had too much exposure. Their first “real” gig will be Jan. 14 at the Celtic Fox as a part of Jam 4 Dan, a benefit to raise scholarship funds for young musicians.

In the meantime, 4th & Inches will keep up their nearly daily practice sessions in the Goudie-Averill garage. In the winter chill, they have to shake their fingers between sets. They joke to each other about playing with gloves or the triple layers they’re wearing.

“We had a space-heater on,” said Goudie-Averill, “But it blew our circuit.”

Even in the cold, they sound amazing. While they play recognizably punk music, there are distinct melodies that one rarely hears from amateur bands. The balance of the instruments is spot on, and although it’s loud (what garage bands aren’t?), the music is easy to follow.

The band members take notes from listening to bands such as Blink 182, Green Day, Ramones, Four Year Strong and A Day To Remember to figure out what works for them and what doesn’t.

“We take things from bands that inspire us and we don’t copy those sounds, but we intermingle them with our sound,” McKenzie said.

Whatever has been borrowed, 4th & Inches has a unique overall sound. McKenzie’s riffs are fast and clever, a trying feat in the cold. Goudie-Averill plays more than just the notes of a power chord, mixing it up with his own counter-point when apropos. Regnier keeps things surprising and sporadic.

“I like to throw a weird beat in there sometimes,” Regnier said.

The three’s personal styles combine to produce a high energy, thrilling experience. The only snag in 4th & Inches’ promising career is their age. Although their skills are substantial, most people don’t consider them past the fact that they are 14 to 15-year-olds.

“We wish people would take us more seriously,” Goudie-Averill said.

They hope to get more gigs so they can build an audience. Until then, the band will continue as they are, practicing often and recording music for their first album, “Go For It.”

Anyone interested in contacting the band to book the band or find out more information can “Like” them on Facebook or email Goudie-Averill at agoudie-averill[at]gmail.com.

About the author:

Regina Budden

Regina is a freelance writer and a newlywed. Amidst her bustling Topeka nightlife she takes a lot of time to be a professional aunt to three lively adventurers: Connall (4), Fiona (3) and Sean (1). Aunt Regina’s former occupations include (but are not limited to): Witch, princess, singer, teacher, rich person, Barbie soap opera director, swamp monster, mermaid, artist, fairy, puppy, vampires, homeless crime fighting magician, undersea explorer, librarian, Jedi, archaeologist, nun, dragon rider, undertaker, mummy victim, actress, general imagineer and any combination thereof.

 | photos and posts by Heather McKee

Fabric Catch-All Boxes

In my ongoing quest to get my house organized, I came across a website that suggested covering boxes with fabric, to create “catch-all” boxes for any room around the house. I decided to start with something for my kids, since they have the most stuff.

I started out with diaper boxes – we already had loads of those lying around, and we’d already used them for whatever we could think of – storage, toy containers, even trash cans.

Using hot glue, I glued all the flaps to the outside of the box (I figured it would add more stability to the edges), then using the handle as a guide, cut a dip in one side.

I hot glued fabric to all sides, including the bottom – making sure to cover the hole in the bottom, so little things wouldn’t fall out. For the dip, cut strips almost to the box, then glue them down. I also made sure to add extra fabric to the back inside of the box, purely for aesthetics.

I repeated all of that three times so that I had a box for each of my kids. The fabrics I chose reflected the child, and contained their favorite colors. I printed out each of the kids’ names in a fun font and ‘laminated’ (use packing tape, cover both sides & trim!) each name. I purchased small Velcro circles – the only new item – and attached them to the box.

The boxes now reside right inside our front door – where each child has easy access to toss whatever they want into it. They put all their papers from school in the boxes, which has greatly reduced the clutter on my desk, and allows me to go through the boxes when I have time.

If you don’t happen to have extra fabric lying around, you can also use paper grocery sacks (let the kids each decorate their own), wrapping paper, construction or drawing paper, newspaper, etc., anything that can be glued to the boxes to make them a little more decorative. The boxes could be used in rooms to hold toys, stuffed animals or socks, in bathrooms for toilet paper, in kitchens for hot pads & towels – the options are endless.

An over-abundance of jars

We have so many jars in our house.

Simply cleaned, we use them to hold pens & pencils, paint brushes, craft supplies, lids for other jars, and flowers in the spring. But there are quite a few ways you can spiffy them up.

Before I do any jar project – I soak the jars in the sink, to get the labels off & clean them really well. Sometimes you have to really scrub hard to get the glue off – dish soap directly on the glue, or Mineral Spirits should help a lot.

For a little more organization to our coloring supplies,  I printed out labels for crayons, markers and colored pencils, used clear packing tape to stick them on the side of a jar – and done! Portable, perfectly sized and (hopefully) easy to put them back where they came from.

With the holidays coming up, I was trying to think of an easy, unique centerpiece for when we have the grandparents over for dinner. It finally hit me one morning – I kept seeing tutorials to dress up jars, to make tea light holders. THAT would make a great centerpiece! I had seen yarn or lace wrapped jars, tissue paper, fabric – but I was going to use wrapping paper!

I grabbed some scissors, cut a few pieces of wrapping paper, made homemade modge-podge (equal parts glue & water – can be made and kept around for later use), a few paintbrushes, my daughters – and went to work! We cut out the designs on the wrapping paper, that would fit on the jars and I taught the girls how to decoupage.

We painted glue on the jars, where we wanted the wrapping paper to go, stuck the wrapping paper on & smoothed it out as best we could, and then covered it with glue. You want the paper to pretty much be saturated, that will help it become transparent; but be careful not to tear it. Leave the jars to dry completely, before adding the second piece to the other side.  After both sides have dried, add a tea light (I got cheap battery-operated ones) to the inside of the jar.

So now we have a festive center piece, we spent no money and my daughters learned a new craft skill.

[ Check out {Re} Use That on Facebook for lots of tips on home crafts and storage with reusable items ]

[ Dec. 2011 | Heather McKee | parts of this post are republished from Winter 2011-12 print issue XYZ ]

This issue explores subjects across the spectrum – with serious pieces that will make you rethink your responsibility to children in the community, as well as fun stuff like creating awesome storage and clutter-free spaces by reusing items you have lying around the home. We’re also excited to formally welcome a couple of great photographers – and great gals – Megan Rogers and Sarah Long to our staff. We think you’ll really like their visual offerings.

Here is a sneak peek, which, to be honest, is a woefully poor representation of the awesomeness that is bursting forth from the physical magazine. Oh, well, guess it’ll do for now. Look for the new issue, out December 21!

Cool kid’s room: Zombie-Cute

If there were ever a situation where gore could actually be considered cute, this cool kid’s room is that situation. The zombie-themed nursery belongs to a NICU veteran and is the product of one creative and zombie-lovin’ mama.

story by Janice Watkins | photos by EJ Drake / edrake photography

Ad astra

If you only ever look up at the night sky during the short time it takes to run the trash out in the light-polluted city, you’re missing out on a bit of magic that came as second-nature to our ancient ancestors. Writer Cale Herreman lets you in on where to learn about and see the starry sky unadulterated in your neck of the woods.

story by Cale Herreman | photos by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography

Cool kid’s bday: for the little cow-wranglers

Ward-Meade’s Old Prairie Town has the coolest barn – the 1870 Lingo Livery Stable – that makes a perfect space for any cowgirl or boy who’s got their sites on a birthday party fit for square dancing.

story by Leah Sewell | photos by Megan Rogers / Trees and Bees Photography

Reuse. Get organized.

We’ve all heard the mantra, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Well, Heather is here to elaborate on the “reuse” part of that equation with a plethora of great ideas for reusing household items that might’ve been thrown in the recycling bin, but can be transformed into clutter-eliminating super organizational tools.

story by Heather McKee | photos by Heather McKee (photo above by Heather McKee) and Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography

4th and Inches

Three teens with instruments in a frigid garage are making sounds that are startlingly good and are gearing up for the next step on their ambitious road to pop-punk glory: their first “real” gig.

story by Regina Budden | photos by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography

Shared responsibility

It’s a brutal sight to behold, but one that is unfortunately something many of us have encountered. What to do when you witness what you suspect may be child abuse in public, and where to turn if you think a child you know may be the victim of abuse.

story by Leah Sewell | photos by Megan Rogers / Trees and Bees Photography

Friend of the book

The Friends of the Topeka Library do a whole lot that isn’t visible to patrons of the library. Read up on how this organization started with modest goals but grew into a huge and integral part of the Library’s success.

story by Anthony Davis | photos by Sarah Long / Joyful Photography

Roller derby Jr.

Introducing Topeka’s junior roller derby league, where the proud mamas look on as some pretty tough kiddos tear up the skating rink in a fight to the finish.

story by Janice Watkins | photos by EJ Drake / edrake photography

Families who volunteer

At the Helping Hands Humane Society and the Topeka Rescue Mission, helping others can be a family affair that teaches kids compassion and to be grateful for what they do have.

by Cale Herreman | photos by Megan Rogers / Trees and Bees Photography

Lunch with love

Here are some fail-safe tips on how to get your little one to gobble up a health-filled sack lunch and pack in the midday fuel. This one goes above and beyond the ol’ bologna and fruit cups of our youths.

by Chelle Decker | photos by Sarah Long / Joyful Photography

(photo at top) The life of the kid actor

John Katz is a child actor and performer with 12 shows under his belt. How does he handle the hectic schedule? His mom is a “scheduling wizard” and John has a ton of talent and a passion unmatched by most 12-year-olds.

story by Janice Watkins | photos by Megan Rogers / Trees and Bees Photography

Of course, we couldn’t tell you everything that’s in the winter issue. We love to keep you in suspense. But trust us, there’s so much more good stuff packed into these 48 pages. We sincerely hope you enjoy it, and hope you have a lovely December and a happy new year.

[ December 2011 ]

They’ve placed the couch cushions into a mound at one end of the room and are running full speed to throw their bodies into it. They’ve played every Wii game 8,000 times and are developing facial tics. And placing that second batch of play-doh cupcakes into the pretend oven just isn’t cutting it for muscle development.

It’s winter, and our kids suddenly have an increasingly confining space in which to fling, catapult and careen their superhumanly energetic bodies. What would our ancestors have done in this case? Maybe put them to work re-stuffing the chicken coop with straw? Make them walk uphill 8 miles both ways to school? Those ancestor-parents! They were hilarious.

These days, we’re lucky to have a few options for winter exercise right here in Topeka. Check out our picks for a few energy-draining activities around town, and please! comment below if you have the insider’s scoop on anything that might help to beat the stir-crazy. We’re all in this together.

Lace up!

Ice skating and roller skating, if you haven’t done it in a while, are pretty darn good workouts. (suggested ages 4 & up)

Sk8Away | 815 Southwest Fairlawn Road | (785) 272-0303 | How cool is it to skate on the same rink as the Roller Derby team, The Capital City Crushers? With special learning sessions (see site for full schedule), parents skate free. There’s also a late-night Teen Skate Party on Friday nights.

Starlight Skate Center | 301 Southeast 45th Street | (785) 862-2241 | This place will take you right back to 1987, complete with sock-hop, limbo, the chicken dance – pretty much everything except the mall hair. The snack stand offers pickle juice popsicles of all things, for 25 cents a pop. “They’re pretty popular with the kids,” the stand attendant informed us. To each their own, we say.

Kansas Expocentre | 1 Expocentre Drive (17th and Topeka Blvd) | (785) 235-1986 | Check the schedule for skating times, and then get your figure 8 on! This rink has lots of elbow room.

Polar Ice Cap at the Topeka Zoo | 635 Southwest Gage | (785) 368-9180 | This synthetic rink has an attached educational component, teaching children about conservation. Bundle up, it’s cold out there! The animal and man building is a good spot nearby to warm up while saying hello to the hippos.

Outdoor skating in Topeka |If ice thickness reaches 4″, the following locations will be open for public skating: Westlake Pond in Gage Park, Doran Rock Garden Pond in Gage Park, Clarion Woods Pond at SW 37th & SW Fairlawn and Horseshoe Bend Pond located at SE 43rd and SE Horseshoe Bend Street. No skating allowed unless signage indicates the ice is thick enough, and please take extreme care when skating on pond ice.

Crawling on stuff / taking a walk through history

Kansas Museum of History | 6425 Southwest 6th Avenue | (785) 272-8681 | At the museum’s Discovery Place, the miniature train is just begging to be crawled on, and dress-up, antique country fair games and stationary horses provide a few opportunities to move their bodies. Afterward, take them on a walk through the museum for some eye-opening exhibits about Kansas History and a truly astonishing life-sized steam engine train that will ignite their imaginations.

That one place, at the mall

West Ridge Mall | 1801 SW Wanamaker Rd. | 271-5500 | This is a no-brainer, right? The Children’s play area at the mall is the go-to for running, climbing and sliding off a little built-up energy. Note that it’s probably not the best choice for older or very small children (walking age through maybe 6 years old is probably the perfect age range) and stock up on the hand sanitizer before you head out. That’s a lot of foot traffic, and as we all know, viruses are rampant in the winter. You can ditch the stroller and encourage walking through the mall before or after playtime to get a little extra exercise in.

Topeka Parks and Rec offerings

With short-term classes for little ones, designed around educating and getting kids moving, Topeka Parks and Recreation has so many offerings for Topeka families, not to mention community centers with large gymnasiums. Check out their full catalogue , and sign your kid up for some sports, games, dance, tumbling — really, you name it, they’ve got it. Many classes only need registration a week in advance.

Swimming in winter

YWCA | Parent-tot swimming classes are available, or sign your child up for swimming lessons – it’s a valuable and fun skill to have! Check out their full listing for more details.

Hit the pins

Bowling is always a hit with kids. It may have something to do with the improbability of small bodies hurling a heavy ball that far of a distance – it makes kids feel like superheroes to accomplish such a feat! It also takes some energy and muscle.

West Ridge Lanes & Family Fun Center | 1935 Southwest Westport Drive | (785) 273-3333

Gage Bowl | 4200 Southwest Huntoon | (785) 272-1881 | Gage Bowl North | 200 N.E. Hwy 24 | (785) 234-5506

Brave the elements!

Two pairs of socks, snow boots, a scarf, hat, gloves, double-lined jacket, wind-proof pants, sunscreen, chapstick and a sled. You can do it!

Do it at home

• Have your own fitness or yoga DVD? See if the kids want to join you.
• Teach your kids how to do a handstand, how to make bicycle feet, do the washing machine, play leap frog, play “Red Light, Green Light,” play “Duck, Duck, Goose”
• “Simon says, run in place! Simon says, do the splits!”
• Bring the smaller outdoor toys indoors, like the Fisher Price slide, the wagon, the tricycle and supervise active play

One thing to remember: some places that have snack bars don’t always have healthy eating options. If your new year’s resolution involves better nutrition and exercise for yourself and your children, make sure to eat dinner at home or at a restaurant with healthy options before heading to a place where the snack bar casts its tempting shadow.

We want to hear from you. How do you keep your kids active in the winter?

[ First published: Jan. 2011 Updated: Dec. 2010  ]