verb [ICT]

Daily [snap] – Summer Storm

verb [ICT] staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:23:21 +0000

Summer Storm | Photo by Jen Lancaster

[meet] Via Christi’s New West Campus

Dani Stone — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:21:08 +0000

Over the past few years, the west side of Wichita has seen an influx of minor emergency centers and specialty doctors. Take a drive around the west side and you’ll find dentists and orthodontists a-plenty. Now, we have a new hospital: Via Christi Hospital on W. St. Teresa.

Just past the Northwest YMCA, off 21st Street, Via Christi West sits on 120 acres surrounded by open pastures, overlooking the Mohr family barn, listed on the National Register Of Historic Places. The location will appeal to rural patients who don’t want to come to the “big city,” yet it’s still close enough to serve Wichita, Maize, Goddard, Clearwater and beyond.

Recently I had an opportunity to tour the new hospital. From an immediate aesthetic perspective, the first thing I noticed about the hospital was, well, it didn’t feel like a hospital. From the lobby to the third floor, large windows bathe the facility in sunshine, letting natural light fill the space. Using a new biophilic concept, the hospital is decorated with natural materials and better acoustics, all designed to make the patient feel more comfortable.

Currently the hospital has 68 private rooms and 4 ICU rooms, with plans to expand in the future. Inpatient amenities include nonstick flooring in the bathroom, high-tech beds that can automatically weigh patients, and hospital meals made to order within 30 minutes. One of the best features of the room has to be the multi-function remote control. In addition to classic functions like adjusting television volume and bed position, the new remotes open and close window blinds and with the push of a button, allow patients to call their nurse for specific reasons such as bathroom, pain medication, etc. Tying the remote features to smartphones allows nurses to prioritize patient needs.

In addition to a private OBGYN clinic, the hospital’s New Life Center boasts four labor and delivery suites, C-section room, mom/baby recovery rooms with queen-sized beds and a small, though well-equipped, pediatric NICU.

While touring Via Christi West, it’s easy to see a common-sense approach was taken in the design. The areas seem to flow seamlessly from one unit to the next, particularly around the emergency room. The emergency area is flanked on each side by full-service laboratory and imaging departments. Patients who require further testing or diagnostic studies need only walk a few feet rather than combing a large area or leaving the floor entirely.

My favorite part of the tour was the operating room. I’ve been inside a few on occasion as a patient and just outside a few as a worried mama, but I’ve never had a chance to stand inside one for the sole purpose of education. A member of the OR team was kind enough to take a few minutes out of his busy afternoon to share a few details with me.

Each operating room has its own intranet router, allowing vital patient information to be projected on large, high-definition monitors located throughout the room. This new technology is especially handy when a second opinion is needed. Information can be shared from one operating room to another. The surgeon giving the second opinion never has to scrub-out or leave the patient he’s working on. Other innovations include using LED lights to spotlight the surgical field rather than halogen lights, which often become hot enough to change the patient’s core temperature.

On the subject of lights, visiting surgeons will notice a green hue in the Via Christi West operating rooms. During surgery, a soft green light is used to bathe the room, cutting down on glare while allowing other operating room personnel to walk around without fear of bumping or tripping in a darkened room.

The new Via Christi on West St. Teresa is a nice mix of intimate care and high-tech innovation. The hospital is open to the public in August. For more information including directions, physicians and other detailed information, visit the Via Christi website.

(Image courtesy of Maria Loving)

[go] Southern Kansas

Claire Suellentrop — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:46:09 +0000

When hearing citizens of rural Kansas towns describe Wichita as a “big city,” I’ve never been able to keep a straight face. I mean, come on. Our skyline is backed by grain elevators. Drive an hour in any direction, and you’ll hit rows of fields. And if you’re thinking about using public transportation to travel downtown, you might be better off with a good pair of walking shoes.

However, a Labor Day road trip through southern Kansas may have caused me to put my “metropolitan” foot in my mouth. There was no better way to spend that lazy Monday than by exploring K-42, passing tiny towns that boasted little more in the way of public activity than churches and post offices. The trip was entirely free of McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and, for the most part, cell phone reception. Despite the lack of population, however, there was a distinct charm to be found along our state’s southern border. If you’re interested in some off-the-beaten-path sightseeing, check out these gems on a quiet weekend getaway:

Wind turbines outside Sharon

Rain or shine, these massive structures are an incredible sight. Shiny and white, their high-tech appearance contrasts sharply with the natural greens, golds and browns of the sprawling fields; however, their sleek build is far less of an eyesore than clunky grasshoppers and old farm equipment. Like the crops surrounding them, the rows of turbines extend for miles. Despite their colossal size, however, they’re almost silent, emitting no noise but the hum of their engines and the gentle whir, whir, whir of the blades.

Gypsum Hills

Located just past Medicine Lodge, this region is home to mesas, buttes and rugged terrain. It’s a far cry from our pancake reputation and the perfect setting for a scenic drive. The Gypsum Hills are so close to the Oklahoma border that the dirt is bright red—show up after a rainstorm, and the rust-colored mud will stain your shoes. Gypsum deposits sparkle in the sunlight, and the view from atop one of the hills almost took my breath away. Well, maybe that was just all the shouting I was doing—the echoes are crazy.

Origins Fair Trade Coffeehouse in Haviland

Only about five months old, Origins Coffeehouse sells fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate as well as artwork and crafts made by impoverished communities in Rwanda, South Africa, Bolivia and the Congo. Their mission is to provide a gathering place for students at the nearby Barclay College and to simultaneously support the families of indigent artisans across the globe. As an added bonus, their homemade granola is delicious—pour milk over it for the perfect mid-afternoon snack.

New developments in Greensburg

Greensburg is a town of visual contradiction. The jagged frames of mangled old buildings are interspersed with clean, bright, cutting-edge architecture. Although half the town is still a mess from the tornado that swept through the area in 2006, signs of environmentally friendly progress are apparent everywhere. The storm was devastating to Greensburg homes, businesses and schools, but it was also an opportunity for citizens to start fresh. The community is extremely earth-conscious, and all the new developments pay special attention to efficiency and energy conservation. Mini wind turbines dot most of the yards, and there seemed to be as many solar panels as there were people. Greensburg is an inspiring example of how a major tragedy can be turned around for the good.

To see the rest of Kansas’ great wonders would require a few more days on the road. Next up on my to-do list: follow the setting sun into the west. Before I do, though, I could use a few suggestions. What’s your favorite exploration spot?

Daily [snap] – Grilling

verb [ICT] staff — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:45:05 +0000

Grilling | Photo by Kim from Kansas

Daily [snap] – Kung Fu Diving

verb [ICT] staff — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:47:40 +0000

Kung Fu Diving | Photo by Jen Lancaster

[adopt] a New Friend from the Kansas Humane Society

verb [ICT] staff — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:45:37 +0000

Every week, we feature a few adorable, adoptable pets from the Kansas Humane Society and dare you to resist their cute lil’ faces. Want to bring one of these loveable cats or dogs home with you? Visit KHS from 11 am – 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 – 5 pm Sunday. Have a happy adoption story to tell? Email us at editors@verbict.com and we might feature you in an upcoming post.

Eugene, a 3 year old Border Collie mix, is looking for some TLC. He loves to play by day and relax at night. As part of the Lonely Hearts Club his adoption fees are discounted!

Jewel, a 1 year old Labrador Retriever mix, is a sweet lady and was raised around small children and other dogs. As part of the Lonely Hearts Club her adoption fees are discounted!

Nicole, a 3 month old Labrador Retriever mix. Just look at that face, you can’t help falling in love! Sweet Nicole is looking for his forever home, along with other cute puppies, and was wondering if you could help her out. Come visit her soon! You’ll be glad you did!

Pierre, a 7 year old Chihuahua, is too cute for words! He is a confident little couch potato who knows how to swagger and nap very well! Come visit him or any of our furry friends soon!

Daily [snap] – Lake Sunset

verb [ICT] staff — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:35:42 +0000

Lake Sunset | Photo by Jennifer White

[eat] Home Grown Kansas: Wichita’s CSA

Steph Barnard — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:28:57 +0000

“It’s like Christmas morning!” I said to my friend Amy back in May, the day before we were to report to the Old Town farmers’ market to pick up our very first CSA share.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. The concept: you pay a local farm a certain amount each week or month, and you get a selection of their produce each week. Rather than buying each item piecemeal from the farmers’ market, you just get a share of whatever the farm has available. It’s a cross between bulk buying and those “mystery grab bags” at the dollar store.

Though there are ups and downs to this method for the consumer, CSA programs are a way to make a stronger investment in a particular farm. There are many fine local vendors to choose from at Wichita’s farmers’ markets, but I was already a fan of Home Grown Kansas (a farm in northwest Wichita near Maize), so I was excited to learn that they were restarting their CSA program after a multi-year hiatus.

The cost may seem a bit daunting at first – about $100 a month – but keep in mind that you won’t be spending as much in the produce aisle as a result. Or, do what I do and split your share with a friend. This works especially well if, like Amy and I, you don’t have kids and/or just live with one other person; half a share is still plenty of food at a pretty good value.

So what do you get? The shares have varied greatly from week to week, and while some weeks have been more bountiful than others, I feel like I’m eating pretty well. Here’s just a small list of what I’ve taken home in the past 10 weeks: basil, mint, parsley, potatoes, green onions, tomatoes, sweet corn, Swiss chard, okra, collard greens, turnips, kohlrabi, thyme, peas, fennel, asparagus… you get the idea. If it’s locally grown, I’ve probably eaten it lately.

One aspect of the CSA that I really like is that it introduces me to vegetables I wouldn’t normally buy. I’m a picky shopper, usually making several rounds at the farmers’ market to determine who has the best produce at the best price, then buying a small amount from several vendors. Cabbage leaves, scallions and cantaloupe never would have made it into my bag that way, but thanks to the CSA, they’ve been great additions to my summer meals. My favorite items, though, have been “gifts” from Home Grown Kansas’ farming friends: blueberries from a farm in Southern Kansas and a jar of honey from a local apiary. I’m hoping for eggs at some point, too.

The program is full for this year, but check the Home Grown Kansas website next spring to sign up for 2011. Maybe other local farms will follow suit and start CSA programs of their own. Though it may not be the best option for everyone, CSA definitely works for me.

Are you a part of the Home Grown Kansas CSA, or have any other experience with the program? Tell us about it in the comments.

(Photo Credit)

[move] Where to Run in Wichita

Molly Martin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:17:08 +0000

I am not an expert on running. I don’t run every day. I don’t run every other day. To put it simply, I run when I want to run.

But I do have a few preferences: no music, no watch, no machine. This third preference refers to the treadmill. Stationary running just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but I acknowledge its use when the weather is hazardous or when working out seems dreadful without the TV’s distraction.

Even though the weather may sometimes be hazardous due to July’s heat index, I encourage you to leave the luxury of air conditioning and explore some of Wichita’s best running paths. I should really refer to these routes as running/walking paths. It’s the middle of the summer in the ICT; who am I kidding?

The best time to run is at dusk or dawn. Not only will you beat (the worst of) the heat, you’ll also be able to enjoy the natural lighting of the setting or the rising of the sun. So grab a water bottle and bug spray and hit the ground running.

College Hill Park is my home field. I’ll admit that I’m a bit biased and know the area far better than any other. I sometimes follow a counterclockwise loop, avoiding the sidewalk paths and staying along the far edges of the park, which is an estimated half mile distance. For example when I enter the park from English Street, I start by veering to the right and running up the hill, and then I continue to run long the edges. But when that hill looks a bit too daunting, I stick to the sidewalks and don’t worry about exact distances.

Harrison Park (1300 S. Webb Rd.) is similar to College Hill but with a loop along the edges that is about one mile instead of a half mile. I prefer to avoid the sidewalks so I can run this route along the edges. I also prefer to run on grass; it’s easier on your legs.

Chisholm Creek Park at the Great Plains Nature Center (6232 E. 29^th St. N.) is a wonderful place to run. Although the paths of concrete, asphalt and wooden bridges are manmade, the surroundings make me feel like I’m running through a picture of undisturbed nature. I love running through the trees, seeing the baby ducks in the pond and catching a glimpse of a deer. This place is a reminder of why I always prefer to run outside. The route that I am familiar with is the Cottonwood Trail, which is a 1.7-mi. loop. A kiosk north of the nature center lists the distances of the other trails, including loops of .5 mi., .9 mi. and 1.1 mi.

North Chisholm Creek Park at 34^th and Woodlawn is also a picturesque area, especially for a former cross-country runner. I say this because the area makes me nostalgic for my high school running days; the grassy paths surrounding the fishing pond remind me of a cross-country course. I’m not sure about distance measurements here, but I know a wide loop around the perimeter is more than a mile (I didn’t have a watch or fancy measuring device with me).

Lakepoint is just an east-side ICT neighborhood, but the curvy sidewalk extending between Central and 13^th St. can be a convenient running path for nearby neighbors. Running alongside a pond, the sidewalk extends about 1.5 mi.

I know there are many other parks and paths that are favorite spots for the ICT runner/walker. For example, my west-side friends tell me Sedgwick County Park (6300 W. 13^th St. N.) is a favorite. I know some people (myself included) prefer just to run along the streets in their neighborhood. Please feel free to sound off and let others know about your go-to places to run throughout the ICT.

(Image Credit)

Daily [snap] – American Summer

verb [ICT] staff — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:13:37 +0000

American Summer | Photo by Jen Lancaster