Good morning, Wichita!

Happy World Teachers’ Day! I know we have some teachers reading these emails - thank you all. This is your sign to show your 3rd Grade Teacher some love. Mr. Cook, if you’re reading this, I appreciate all the times you played soccer with us.

Let’s get to it!

-Landon

Free Shipping

We are running low on our Wichita Life Men’s Polos. If you want to grab yours before we run out (maybe forever), then I’d grab it today.

Oh and we have free shipping through Friday to sweeten the deal.

Get yours today.

Together with Butler Community College

Butler Community College is turning 100, and everyone’s invited to the party.

The Centennial Family Day Celebration kicks off in El Dorado on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a full day of family fun, food trucks, local vendors, and plenty of Grizzly spirit.

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex with activities for all ages, making it the perfect excuse to gather friends and family and celebrate a century of Butler traditions.

Then at 1 p.m., the Butler Grizzlies take on Dodge City. Learn more and plan your visit at butlercc.edu/centennial.

Interested in advertising with us?

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

Elevated by Nicole women's boutique - Greenwich Place - Opening in November
Dave’s Hot Chicken - 2692 N Greenwich Rd (former Blaze Pizza) - Originally was supposed to open today, but delays pushed to 10/9 (a week late ain’t half bad)

Moving

Spencer Fane Law Office - Now at Country Club Park at SW Corner of 13th and Webb Rd

The Hive Goes Events-Only

Founder Andrea Hattan is shifting The Hive from a coworking and community space to an events-only model while she writes a book about women's wealth. Congrats on the book, Andrea!

Pumpkin Porch Pro

Corey Daniels is a 19-year-old from Wichita, and his new business Porch Perfect will deliver and style a porch full of real pumpkins for you, with packages starting at $249 for first-timers. He covers Wichita plus Derby, Andover, Maize, Goddard and more, and after the season he can donate eligible pumpkins to a local farm.

All of the fall decorating with none of the trips to the pumpkin patch.

Dondlinger's Fourth Generation

After 46 years as president, Tom Dondlinger is moving to board chairman at Dondlinger Construction, and his nephew Raymond, previously VP of operations, takes over as president.

Be Kind

Be kind to our local businesses. Beef prices are nearly double from a few years ago and margins are already slim in the industry.

STARTUP

Network Kansas Handoff

Steve Radley, Network Kansas' first employee and longtime CEO, will step down at the end of March 2027 after more than 21 years running the statewide entrepreneurship group, per Startland News. President and COO Erik Pedersen, who started two weeks after Radley back in 2005, takes over as CEO 4/1/27. Congrats to both!

NONPROFIT

Big Man, Big Gesture

Shocker center Will Berg (all 7'2" of him) bought 10 men's basketball season tickets for 2026-27 and donated them to Wichita Children's Home.

Lunch For West High

The West High Alumni Association is hosting a fundraiser lunch Wednesday 10/14 from 11am-1pm at Rolling Hills Country Club, and tickets are $40 a person, including lunch and a program. The money goes to courtyard improvements, teacher and staff recognition, and celebrating students.

Help For Vets

A Veterans Peace Foundation helps veterans work through the VA system, from disability claims to HUD-VASH housing to any other VA questions. They also clean up overgrown or neglected yards for disabled and elderly veterans.

🏠 Home of the Week 🏠

Together with McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

10806 E Glengate Cir

4,885 sq-ft
4 beds, 3.5+baths
Updated basement theatre room
Coffee bar + private balcony
Waterfront lot
gated front patio with a fireplace
covered back deck overlooking pond & fountain

Auction - Bidding opens on 10/20 at 2pm and runs until 10/29 at 2:15pm

Open house - Wednesday 10/7 at 3:30pm, Tuesday 10/20 at 3:30pm, Monday 10/26 at 3:30pm

Auction Managers: Rick Brock, McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

CIVIC

Kechi Park Glow-Up

Wichita Eagle

Kechi's only city playground, at 442 N Oliver, is coming out this week to make room for new equipment that's ADA accessible and built for all ages, with build week set for 11/10 - 11/15. The project costs ~$567,000, and Friends of Kechi Park still needs ~$119,000 plus volunteers 14 and older for build week (there's also a bingo night 10/17 at Kechi Methodist Church).

Parking, One Year In

Downtown's $1/hour paid parking just passed its first year, and WBJ reports business owners say sales haven't taken a real hit, but customers are watching the clock, and employees are paying to park for work. The city says Old Town is next for paid parking, with Delano a future conversation. Has it changed how you go downtown?

Has the paid parking downtown changed your habits?

Apply Free Days

Kansas residents pay no undergraduate application fee at Regents universities, including WSU, during Apply Free Days 10/5-10/9. Already started an application? Submit it during that window and the fee is waived too.

Plant 250 Trees

ICT Trees is looking for volunteers to help the City's Forestry team plant 250 trees at Peach Tree Park (5654 S. Hydraulic) on Wednesday 10/7 from 1-4pm. No experience is needed and equipment and water are provided, but wear work clothes and bring your own gloves.

LOCAL

101 Club Auction Fight

The Jim James Memorial 101 Club in Valley Center, a sober gathering spot for people in recovery since 1979, still goes up for auction 10/6 - 10/14, even after 24 protesters showed up at the Wichita Fellowship Club board president's house. Supporters want a 90 to 120 day pause so they can raise money to save it, while the board says the club lost ~$60,000 in 2024 and things have gotten worse since. Where do you land?

March Madness Tickets

Tickets for the expanded NCAA opening-round games at INTRUST Bank Arena go on sale Monday 10/5. The field is growing from 68 to 76 teams, which makes Wichita a play-in site alongside Dayton for games on 3/16 and 3/17. Mark your calendar!

Riverfest Wants Your Ideas

Wichita Festivals is holding its second Riverfest Town Hall at WSU on Tuesday 10/6 at noon, and they want to hear from the community and college students about what you'd like to see at future festivals. There's FREE pizza and a gift card giveaway. What's on your Riverfest wish list?

Love Family Legacy

Congrats to Rudy Love and The Love Family who received a Legacy Award at Saturday's NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.

Pumpkin Problems

Central Kansas growers are calling this the worst pumpkin harvest in ten years, because extreme heat hit specialty gourds, colorful pumpkins, and stackers the hardest.

Halloween Nights at Exploration Place

Exploration Place is always a vibe, but have you seen it during Halloween?

They are turning the playscape into Halloween Nights every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10/8 to 10/31, 6 - 9pm.

Jinkies, It's Open

Scooby-Doo: Mansion Mayhem opened Friday 10/2 at Exploration Place, where you help the gang track down a jewel-thieving ghost loose in a haunted mansion. It's one of two new traveling exhibits, plus a new live science show built around a mystery.

💼 This Week’s Curated Jobs

Fresh opportunities from the Wichita Life Job Board!

📺 Marketing Producer — Gray Media | Wichita
Help shape promos and marketing content for one of the country's biggest local TV broadcasters, right here in Wichita.
👉 Learn More & Apply

🚀 Campaign Execution Manager — Cengage Group | Wichita | $58,300–$75,750
Own the details that get marketing campaigns out the door for a global education company, from planning to launch.
👉 Learn More & Apply

🎓 Digital Marketing Intern — Goodwill Industries of Kansas | Wichita | $12–$19/hr
Get hands-on digital marketing experience with a mission-driven organization that gives back across Kansas.
👉 Learn More & Apply

🔎 Browse more local jobs →