All images from www.realsimple.com

Decorating inspiration can come from anything. A decorating scheme can come from something as simple as a pattern, a color, a piece of furniture, or a photograph. But for me, my favorite decorating inspirations come from souvenirs and travel photos that I’ve gatherd over the years. There is something very appealing about showcasing exotic locales or cultures in home decorating because using your own photos and souvenirs creates a very unique and personal style. Using worldly inspirations in your rooms also helps provide an escape from your busy life and will continually remind you of the interesting people and places you have encountered all over the world.

In all honesty, you don’t even have to leave the country to use other cultural influences in your decorating. You can focus on where you would like to travel and decorate accordingly to bring a little bit of the globe home to you. Just spend a little time researching what colors, textures, furniture, lighting, house plants and accessories may fit best into your worldly theme. So stop by the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library’s Home Neighborhood. The collection can help you find a variety of global decorating inspiration. You can transform your house into a beautiful Tuscan villa or English cottage; decorate with bold colors using Indian saris or South American tapestries; or enhance your simple, modern style with Asian influences. You can check out these great resources and more:

On January 30^th, 2013 the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library hosted it’s 2nd annual Senior Information Fair. Our goal was to inform older adults and their family members in our community about the variety of local services and businesses that cater to the needs of aging populations. The attendees explored booths that focused on numerous topics ranging from nutrition, finance, legal help, volunteering, housing, assistive devices, education opportunities, and in-home care to maintain one’s independence. If you missed the fair, you can still check out the list of exhibitors below and see what information they offered to the attendees. Contact information is provided as well so you can get in touch with the organizations and see what services they can provide for you.

AARP Kansas: Discussed the benefits of joining AARP and their services such as the AARP Driver Safety Program. Visit www.aarpdriversafety.org or call (785) 234-1365 for more information.

Aldersgate Village: Attendees learned about the amenities this retirement community had to offer. They also had some information on rehabilitation programs at their new recovery center. Visit www.AldersgateVillage.org or www.aldersgaterehab.org for more information. You can also call (785) 478-9440.

Alzheimer’s Association: This organization provided information about the free workshops they are offering in March on Alzheimer’s disease. They also offered some great information on helping with legal planning for people with dementia, tips for assisting persons with dementia transition from driver to passenger, and what to expect during the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. For more information call (785) 271-1844 or 1-800-272-3900 or email cindy.miller@alz.org.

American Red Cross: Had some great information on disaster preparedness as well as volunteer opportunities for older adults. For more information visit www.thinkred.org. Call (785) 230-2333 if you have questions about volunteering with the American Red Cross.

Angels at Home Care: This business provided fliers highlighting the services they offer to customers such as transportation, assist with laundry & ironing, care for pets, kousekeeping, and assist with shopping & errands. Call (785) 271-4376 or visit www.angelsathomecareks.com for more information.

Audio-Reader: Offered information on volunteer opportunities as well as their free radio reading service for the blind and print-disabled living in Kansas. A variety of newspapers, magazines, and books are available to suscribers of this service. Applications can be found at www.reader.ku.edu. For volunteer opportunities call (785) 864-4604.

Blassingame Home Care LLC: This local business offers home and office cleaning, transportation, companion care, shopping, errands, bill paying, laundry and more. Visit www.blassingamehomecare.com or call (785) 286-CARE for more information.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas: Offered information on their Friendly Visitors program. Visit www.catholiccharitiesks.org/page.aspx?pid=601 or call (785) 233-0140 for more information.

Carol Ronnebaum, Realtor: Carol is a local realtor with Coldwell Banker that specializes in simplifying moving for seniors. She is an SRES designee which means that she has had extensive training in topics like tax laws, probate, estate planning, and equity conversion strategies. For more information, visit www.cronnebaum.cbkansas.com or call (785) 640-2685.

Comfort Keepers: Offered information on the various services they provide to help people stay independent and in their homes for as long as possible. For more information call (785) 267-8200 or visit www.comfortkeepers.com.

CoreFirst Bank & Trust: Roger Aeschliman Nancy Goodall offered information on a variety of financial topics geared towards seniors such as trust & estate planning. For more information visit www.cbtks.com or give them a call at (785) 267-8402. You can also email them at trust@cbtks.com.

Harden Hospice: Offered information on their end of life care services. Call (785) 273-4357 or visit www.hardenhealthcare.com for more information.

Harvesters: Offered information on healthier eating tips for older adults as well as their adult cooking classes. For more information call (785) 861-7734 or email Nutrition@harvesters.org.

A Helping Hand Home Care: Had information on their home care services as well as their LifeStation Emergency Response System. Visit www.ahelpinghandhc.com or call (785) 856-0192 for more information.

Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging: Provided information on a variety of key services like caregiver support services; information and outreach on aging services for Douglas, Jefferson and Shawnee counties; case management services (based on income) to help discuss options and find individual solutions; client assessment, referral and evaluation (CARE) for housing options; and senior health insurance counseling for Kansas (SHICK) which offers free
appointments related to Medicare and health insurance. Visit www.jhawkaaa.org or call (785) 235-1367 for more information.

Kansas Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing: This organization provides a variety of services and resources on assistive technology, hearing aids, supports groups, and much more. Call (785) 368-8034 or visit www.srs.ks.gov/agency/rs/Pages/KCDHH/KCDHH.aspx for more information.

Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services: Offered information on Senior Medicare Patrol services, SHICK Volunteer Opportunities, and understanding your Medicare prescription drug coverage. Visit www.kdads.ks.gov or call 1-800-432-3535 for more information.

Kansas Relay Center: Provided information on captioned telephone services to persons having difficulty hearing on the phone. Call (785) 228-5666, email cady.macfee@hamiltonrelay.com or visit www.kansasrelay.com for more information.

Kansas Telecommunications Access Program (TAP): Offered information on what captioned telephone equipment is available through Kansas Relay as well as what other specialized telephones they offer to Kansas residents. Some telephones are free to those who qualify. Call (785) 234-0200 or visit www.kansastap.org for more information.

Meals on Wheels: Had information on the Meals on Wheels nutritional program. To see if you’re eligible to receive a meal, call (785) 295-3980 or email mow@meals-on-wheels-inc.org.

Midland Care: Was available to discuss their innovative healthcare solutions. Services they offer are Hospice, PACE, Adult Day Health, Palliative Care, Home Health, Home Support, Grief and Loss Services. Check out their website for more information.  www.midlandcareconnection.org

Shawnee County Health Agency: Provided lots of eligibility and service information on their Home Care Assistance program. Call (785) 291-2490 or visit www.snco.us/ha for more information on Home Care Assistance. They also provided information on stroke support groups (785-291-2488) and foot clinics (call 785-291-2490).

Shepherd’s Center of Topeka: Had information on their Adventures in Learning program. Each quarterly session consists of four Fridays. Participants to take two classes each Friday and can choose to particiapte in early exercise, a brunch, and wait to hear the concluding entertainment. For more information call (785) 267-0248 or visit www.shepherscentertopeka.org.

Stormont-Vail HealthCare: Offered lots of information on their SeniorCare program, Lifeline service, and HealthWise 55 program. Visit www.stormontvail.org for more information on these services or call the following:

• HealthWise 55 (785) 354-6787
• Lifeline (785) 354-6333
• SeniorCare (785) 354-5242

Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library: Had information about the resources located in the Health Neighborhood as well as the blood pressure machine and scale located there as well. They also featured information Red Carpet Services and offered eBook demonstrations for attendees. To find out more visit:

• Health Neighborhood
• Red Carpet Services
• Ebooks

United Way of Greater Topeka: Provided information on their Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It’s the largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over. Visit www.unitedwaytopeka.org/volunteer/rsvp or call (785) 228-5124 for more information.

All images from www.realsimple.com

For some people, the idea of decorating their home can be so overwhelming it brinks on the edge of nightmarish. What color scheme should be used? How should the furniture be arranged? What’s my decorating style? Should you mix patterns and textures or not? And what exactly does mixing textures mean anyway? Luckily, the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library has all the right answers for you. Just go check out the wonderful resources in the Home Neighborhood to get some easy tips and ideas to find the perfect decorating style for you and your family.

For me, decorating a house can be as simple as painting a piece of furniture, adding a flower arrangement, or changing a few accessories and pillows. For others, decorating a room might be a more complicated process and require a complete remodel. Either way, the library has tons of books to inspire you and help you along the way. There are books that offer design ideas for kitchens, bathrooms, and fireplaces; others that offer tips on painting and choosing your color palette; and others that focus on traditional and modern decorating styles. Here’s just a small example of what you can find on the shelves:

Your next decorating project is hiding on the Library’s shelves. Go visit the Home Neighborhood now to find it. Don’t forget to follow the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library on Pintrest as well for more decorating ideas.

Stop by each exhibitor’s booth to find out what services and products they have to offer. Numerous topics will be covered including finance, Medicare, veteran’s benefits, volunteer opportunities, in-home medical care, hospice services, assistive devices, health & nutrition, continuing education, household cleaning & errands assistance, housing options, and transportation services. Remember to visit The Edge from 10:30 am–11:30 am for your chance to explore the benefits ebooks have to offer to older adults and then again from 11:45 am–12:45 pm to learn exactly what services the library’s Red Carpet department can provide for you.

Here’s a list of participating vendors: AARP Kansas; Kansas Telecommunications Access Program (TAP); Core First Bank & Trust; Blassingame Home Care, LCC; Seniors Helping Seniors; Carol Ronnebaum, Realtor; Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging; Catholic Charities of Kansas; Stormont-Vail; United Way of Greater Topeka; Midland Care Center; Topeka Visiting Nurses; Hamilton Relay; Alzheimer’s Association; Shepherd’s Center of Topeka; Veteran’s Home Care; Meals on Wheels; Comfort Keepers; Kansas Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing; Audio-Reader; Aldersgate Village; Harvesters-The Community Food Network; Angels at Home Care; Tallgrass Balance, Hearing & Physical Therapy; American Red Cross Kansas Capital Area Chapter; Harden Hospice Kansas; Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Images from www.sportingkc.com

Let’s face it…it’s hard for MLS soccer teams to compete in the U.S. professional sports market. It almost always ranks well below the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and even NASCAR in terms of popularity and merchandising numbers. But what most MLS teams don’t lack in, including our very own Sporting KC, is a passionate fan base.

Over the years we have both frequented a number of local sporting events including the Royals, the Chiefs, both KU and KSTATE athletic events. We’ve watched games in Allen Field House, Bramlage Coliseum, Arrowhead Stadium, and Kauffman Stadium. And, while those are fabulous places to watch games they don’t offer anything close to the raucous environment that invades Livestrong Sporting Park on game day.

Livestrong Sporting Park opened just a year ago and already has a reputation as one of the most difficult places to play in the MLS. According to the Kansas City Star, attendance is averaging a little over 19,000 (there are 18,467 seats in the stadium) for each game. The large attendance numbers plus the fact that the fans are sitting so close to the field creates an intimidating environment for the opponents. But it’s the fans that make the stadium come alive. They show up early, often in costume, waving flags, playing instruments, and always chanting. The Sporting fan club, nicknamed “The Cauldron”, stands the entire game and never stops with the chants. They get the whole stadium involved and create a loud, crazy, fun environment.

The Players for Sporting Kansas City are easy to love. Not only do they look like they enjoy playing together on the field, but they seem to enjoy interacting with the fans off the field. Many have divulged personal stories through interviews and Sporting KC’s website. Fans can also subscribe to the YouTube videos the players create and follow their favorite players on Twitter.

Image from www.sportingkc.com

So, let’s summarize why everyone in Northeast Kansas should go to a Sporting KC game:

1. The location is great. Livestrong Sporting Park is located at the Legends Outlet Mall in Wyandotte County. Travel time is shorter compared with Arrowhead or Kauffman stadiums. Plus you have many dining and shopping options in just one spot.
2. The ticket prices are pretty reasonable. General admission tickets range from $20 to $28 dollars. Parking, although it’s a bit of a walk, is free. The food, like at any stadium is a little pricey. But you can dine at a number of nearby restaurants before the game if you want to save a little money.
3. The atmosphere is crazy. The game usually starts with fireworks (after the national anthem) and there’s always a chance you will get to see confetti shot out of a cannon (done after every KC goal). You will probably get distracted by the fans and their antics.  Things to look for: wigs, luchador masks, flags, blue body suits and always look for Sporting Darth Vader.
4. The game. I’ll admit, like baseball, it can get a little boring at times.  But the great thing about KC is that their style of play is an all out attack. That means there are usually numerous shots on goal and plenty of scoring opportunities.
5. The community. The owners are committed to providing a fantastic experience for its fans.  The owners provide special seating to local children and adults battling cancer, they always honor local veterans and servicemen and women during the national anthem, and support many community youth leagues.
6. They are competitive. Sporting has made the post-season in 10 of their 17 seasons in the league. And this year they are hovering around the top of their division.
7. And finally…the players. They love the game, love their fans, and are always trying to choreograph their next goal scoring celebration, and we can’t get enough. Go Sporting!

All Images from www.sportingkc.com.

Don’t see a particular title on the shelf? Check with our friendly Red Carpet staff to see if a 14-day express copy is available.

Non-Fiction

Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN by James A. Miller

The Dogs of War: The Courage, Love, and Loyalty of Military Working Dogs by Kisa Rogak

Restless Souls : The Sharon Tate Family’s Account of Stardom, the Manson Murders, and a Crusade for Justice by Alisa Statman

Fiction

Cat’s Claw by Susan Wittig Albert

Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock

Taken by Robert Crais

Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke

Catch Me by Lisa Gardner

Victims by Jonathan Kellerman

Guilty Wives by James Patterson

The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

Before the Poison by Peter Robinson

Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith

Betrayal by Danielle Steel

So Pretty It Hurts by Kate White

If you have any medical or assistive equipment you want to give away, RCIL would be happy to collect it. All donated devices will be refurbished and given away to other Kansans needing them. There is demand for manual and power wheelchairs, hospital beds, scooters, shower chairs, transfer benches, vehicle lifts, communication devices, low vision aides, standers, reverse walkers, gate trainers, feeding seats, and support chairs.

RCIL is a local organization that is “committed to working with individuals, families and communities to promote independent living and individual choice to persons with disabilities.” Contact the Topeka RCIL office for any questions you may have about this fair or other services they offer at (785) 267-1717.

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the unflattering top 10 list where Topeka recently appeared… the one that says Topeka’s waistlines have expanded to noteworthy proportions.

I must admit, I’m guilty of contributing to the obesity percentages, due to my eating habits and an obsessive love for my couch. This lifestyle has unfortunately taken its toll and has increased my BMI (Body Mass Index) to unhealthy levels. I’m ready to make a change, so this spring I am creating a personal plan to lower that number.

So where does one start when they want to tackle dropping some pounds and choosing a healthier lifestyle? I start with the local library.

The information I can access from the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library’s Health Information Neighborhood is immense. There are physical fitness books, exercise DVDs, and fitness kits that include equipment like resistance bands for all age groups and fitness levels to checkout. There are also books that help you out with meal planning as well as help you start a food diary. One of the best things I love about the Health Information Neighborhood is that it offers a BMI/weight scale and a machine that checks blood pressure — I can monitor my progress in between regular visits to my doctor.

If you need a little more motivation for exercise plans, try one of these new community programs that are launching right now – Shawnee County’s Walk Kansas program is just getting started (team registrations are due March 26^th at 5 pm) and the Jayhawk Pharmacy is creating a Get Fit Topeka Style contest where those who are selected will be working with local fitness trainers to drop some pounds (entry deadline is March 26).

At the library’s Health Information Neighborhood, pick up a FREE “Exercise and Physical Activity” book from the National Institute on Aging. This 120-page guide describes the benefits of exercise and physical activity for older people. Learn how to set exercise goals and stick to them. Includes sample exercises for endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility and a list of resources.  Learn more about Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life.

The time to take care of your health is NOW.  Come checkout your library’s Health Information Neighborhood to find motivation for your healthier lifestyle today!

More than 100,000 physical titles are available for the digital machines utilized in this program. Many more can also be accessed through the internet using the NLS BARD website.

Because reading is more than a visual experience, the Kansas Talking Book Library network provides library resources in specialized formats at no charge to Kansans unable to use standard print.

For additional information, visit the Red Carpet Services desk at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library or call 785-580-4530.

They’re here! Check out all the hot new titles that are available in Large Print. There’s a little something for everyone with non-fiction, detective, romance, and inspirational works. You can get on the reserve list today, just click on the title to go straight to the catalog listing or call 580-4545 to place your order.

Don’t see a particular title on the shelf? Check with our friendly Red Carpet staff to see if a 14-day express copy is available.

Non-Fiction

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

Fiction

Capital Wives by Rochelle Alers

Seduced By Grace by Jennifer Blake

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden

The Stonehenge Legacy by Sam Christer

Don’t Look Back by Lynette Eason

Dark Predator by Christine Feehan

Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

Kissing Comfort by Jo Goodman

Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indridason

Springtime of the Spirit by Maureen Lang

Stagestruck by Peter Lovesey

Secret Obsession by Kimberla Lawson Roby

The Chair by James L. Rubart

A Whisper of Peace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Guilty Pleasures by Beatrice Small

Life Everlasting by Robert Whitlow

Hometown Sweetheart by Lenora Worth