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Wichita Life

Nov 9, 2026

🌾 Angel Tree is Open

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Together With

This is the Wichita Life Update, the only email more satisfying than finding the crunchiest leaf on the sidewalk this fall season.

Let’s get to it!

-Landon

Angel Tree is Open

The Salvation Army is taking applications through Friday 11/13 for Angel Tree, which gives two gifts to each child 18 and under in a Sedgwick County household, and for Star of Hope, which gives a household item to seniors 60 and older. Apply online or by phone at 316-263-2769, ext. 200, from 10am-12pm on 11/5 and 11/9-11/13, and bring ID for everyone in the household plus proof of income and address.

Together with Ideatek

Save on internet. Give back to Wichita.

IdeaTek’s Season of Giving starts November 9. For every new install, IdeaTek will donate $10 to Ronald McDonald House Wichita.

Use code 4SAVE50 to get free installation and four months at 50% off. It’s a chance to save on your internet while helping support families staying close to their children’s medical care.

Make the switch to IdeaTek and make your connection count.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

Closing

  • Cuppa Yo Andover - permanently closed

Shark Tank Watch Party

Real Men Apparel Company is celebrating its national TV debut with a free Shark Tank watch party on Wednesday 11/11 from 8–10pm at the Haysville Activity Center, 523 Sarah Lane. Expect catering, networking for local business owners, entrepreneurs and creators, plus raffles for creator equipment; dress is casual. Can’t wait to watch!

Golf Fitting Moves West

The TGW Golf Performance Center and master fitter Rick Hatfield are moving from 8908 E. 34th St. N. to 8541 W. 21st, south of Reflection Ridge with a mid-December reopen planned.

Bowlero Becomes AMF

Wichita's two Bowlero locations - Northridge at Central and Ridge, and Northrock at 29th and Rock - are being renamed AMF as part of a national rebrand. This sure does seem like musical chairs for bowling brands.

Riordan Campus Listed

The Riordan Clinic listed its 92-acre geodesic dome campus at 3100 N. Hillside for sale, price undisclosed. The clinic isn't closing and may relocate near the downtown biomedical campus or the airport, though nothing is confirmed yet.

Reverie Rises to Fourth

Reverie Coffee Roasters landed No. 4 among independent coffee shops in USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice awards, up from No. 10 last year. A panel selected 20 nominees before the public voted - congrats, Reverie!

Cheers, Young Professionals

Congrats to all of the young professionals recognized by the Wichita Business Journal - you might recognize some of our friends! I’m honored to be recognized alongside them. And thank you to WBJ for continuing to highlight people in our wonderful city.

NONPROFIT

Zoo Market Returns

Sedgwick County Zoo's holiday shop is back at NewMarket Square from 11/11 to 12/23, 10am-6pm, next to Tips & Toes. Memberships, jewelry, wildlife gear, and eco gifts - with proceeds supporting animal care, education, and conservation.

Shelters Prep for Winter

Second Light's emergency winter shelter at 1026 N. Main is open through March as weather allows, and Union Rescue Mission is expanding year-round beds for the cold months. Both need volunteers, meals, and winter clothes - gloves and coats especially.

A $2 Million Gift

Junior League members and families have raised more than $2 million for Exploration Place’s Outdoor Adventure Playscape as the League’s 100th-anniversary gift. Cindy Carnahan and Lynn Ward led the fundraising effort.

🏠 Home of the Week 🏠

Together with McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

  • 3,755 sq-ft

  • 4 beds, 3 baths

  • Overlooks 16th hole and two ponds

  • Oversized 3-car garage

  • Three levels of patio

  • Granite kitchen with Sub-Zero fridge and two dishwashers

  • Walkout basement with wet bar and pool table that stays

Auction - Bidding opens on 11/10 at 2pm and runs until 11/19 at 2:30pm

Open house - Wednesday 11/11 from 3:30-5:30pm, Monday 11/16 from 3:30-5:30pm

Auction Managers: Braden McCurdy, McCurdy Real Estate & Auction

CIVIC

School Bonds Pass

Wichita voters approved both USD 259 bond questions Tuesday, about $615 million total and the district's first bond passage since 2008. The $407.1 million and $207.9 million questions fund HVAC upgrades, career and technical education, new facilities, school rebuilds and renovations, including a combined $40 million to preserve East and North high schools. The district estimates the tax increase at about $50 a year on a $200,000 home, after a $450 million plan failed by about 300 votes in February 2025.

Don't Rake to Street

It's against Wichita city code to rake or blow leaves into streets or storm drains, and the illegal dumping fine is $371.50. Enforcement starts with education, so mulch or bag them instead, and report dumps via the city app or 316-660-9220.

LOCAL

Veterans Day Meals

Wichita restaurants are offering Veterans Day meals and discounts on Wednesday 11/11, with military ID required and eligibility and offers varying by location. Golden Corral’s free buffet runs 4pm–close, while west Wichita’s Texas Roadhouse offers free lunch 11am–2pm; the east location is handing out vouchers only, not serving a free lunch.

Segura at Orpheum

Tom Segura returns to Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre on Friday 11/13 at 7pm and Saturday 11/14 at 7:45pm. Both shows are for ages 16 and up.

Avenue Q at Roxy's

The Tony-winning musical comedy Avenue Q takes over Roxy's Downtown from 11/20 to 12/19.

Somewhere in Winter

Somewhere in Winter returns downtown at 2nd and St. Francis from 11/26 to 1/2, with free admission and paid skating and heated igloos on reservation. New Saturday Holiday Night Markets land 11/28 and 12/5, 12/12, and 12/19, and Santa visits 11/27 and 12/19 from 6-8pm with free printed photos.

Field Station in Flux

Derby's Field Station: Dinosaurs wrapped its 2026 season, and owner Guy Gsell is weighing a permanent closure after lightning damage, vandalism, and losses. Supporters are stepping up as white knights, and nothing is locked in yet.

Southwest to Nashville

Southwest is moving up its new nonstop Wichita-Nashville service to 1/6/2027, two months earlier than first planned. Tickets are already on sale, with early one-ways starting around $119.

Bonsai & Cheers

Verdant Coven Plant Co. and Dark Flora Design Haus are hosting a bonsai workshop on 11/14 at Wichita Brewing Co., and everyone takes home a potted Hawaiian Umbrella bonsai. The 11/7 session already sold out, and registration for this one is on Eventbrite

Orpheum Restoration Film

Photographer Travis Heying documented the Orpheum Theatre's 15-month restoration, and now he's turned that footage into a short documentary. (re)Dedicated tells the story of the 104-year-old theater's transformation and the people who made it happen.

Riverside Dental Halloween

ICYMI: Riverside Dental dropped year #9 of their Halloween parodies. Happy Halloween from the crew - go enjoy the latest one.

💼 This Week’s Curated Jobs

Fresh opportunities from the Wichita Life Job Board!

💻 Technology Operations Manager — Ascension | Wichita, KS | $110,600 - $154,200
Lead healthcare IT demand management and tech delivery for Ascension’s Wichita ministry in a hybrid full-time role.
👉 Learn More & Apply

📣 Communications & Public Relations Specialist — Friends University | Wichita, KS
Shape fundraising stories, media materials, and brand messaging for Friends University’s Advancement team.
👉 Learn More & Apply

📊 Entry Level Accountant — Enterprise Holdings Inc | Wichita, KS | $55,000
Build finance chops preparing statements and audits on a clear path toward Controller/VP of Finance.
👉 Learn More & Apply

Click the banner above to view the full event calendar

Monday 11/9

Tuesday 11/10

Wednesday 11/11

Thursday 11/12

Friday 11/13

LIVE MUSIC

Don't see your concert or show here?

SPORTS

Kapaun Takes State

Kapaun Mt. Carmel beat Maize South 3-1 in Saturday’s Class 5A boys soccer final in Topeka, claiming its first state title since 1997. The Crusaders finished the season 18-2.

Wings Leave MASL2

The Wichita Wings are withdrawing from MASL2 for the 2026-27 season to pursue a more regional model. They'll host the inaugural five-team Capelli Cup at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, with the Omaha Kings, Kansas Bandits, and two more teams still to be named.

That's it for today! Send this to someone who could use a gift for their kiddos.

Thanks!

- Landon

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