[ Briefly in Topeka ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 12, 2001 by Capital-Journal

- Briefly in Topeka

- Indian Education Program schedules dinner and dance --- The Parent Advisory Committee of the Indian Education Program will sponsor its Winter 2001 Dinner and Dance beginning at 6 p.m. today at the Big Gage Shelter House next to the zoo entrance in Gage Park. The event will feature drumming and singing by Ge Monen Wek, Little Singers, following a meal of contemporary and traditional foods. For information, call JoAnne Kaner, 232-0551, ext. 291.

- Program to look at tolerance and understanding --- The Panel for Tolerance and Understanding will present a program focused on diversity at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Unity Church of Christianity, 125 S.W. Gage Blvd. The panel is composed of citizens who have experienced severe discrimination. Each panel member will tell his or her story in a way that gives hope for the evolution of a society that appreciates diversity.

A free-will offering will be collected. For more information, call 272-6407.

- Extension service to offer food education program --- The Shawnee County Extension Service will offer a program on new food products, irradiation and biotechnology today in the Extension Meeting Room, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. The program is free and will be presented from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. by Susan Krumm, the Douglas County family and consumer sciences agent. For more information, call Cindy Evans, 232-0062.

- Exercise council to staff a hotline Saturday --- The American Council on Exercise will have volunteers staff a hotline from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to answer callers' questions on any exercise- related topic. The telephone number to call for answers and advice is (888) 397-2473. ACE-certified fitness professionals have offered "Fitness on Call" for the past five years and fielded more than 1,000 calls in 1999.

ACE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction.

- Group concerned about natural gas prices --- A group of area citizens concerned about the rising cost of natural gas will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Yours and Mine Barber Shop, 1123 S.W. 6th, to discuss how best to protest the gas prices. The group encourages Topeka residents to attend the Utility Committee's Senate sessions Jan. 22 and 23. For more information, call C.E. "Sonny" Scroggins, 357-8853.

- Happy Bear birthday celebration set for Sunday --- The Family Service and Guidance Center's Happy Bear educational bear will celebrate a birthday from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Skate-A-Way roller skating rink, 815 S.W. Fairlawn Road. Happy Bear teaches children about "Good Touch, Bad Touch and Mixed Up Touches."

His party includes cookies and punch, and those who want to skate may do so for $3. Happy Bear will have toys on hand for children to enjoy, and a video about touches will be shown. Presents will be welcome. A portion of the admission price will go to the Family Service and Guidance Center. For more information, call 232-5005.

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration planned --- The eighth annual community celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be at 7 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, 600 S.W. Topeka Blvd. The Rev. Jean Wilson, of Asbury Mount Olive United Methodist Church, will be the keynote speaker. Her message will be "Do We See the Oppression of the Poor?"

A soup supper will be served at 6 p.m. The public is invited.