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Wichita Life

Oct 26, 2026

🌾 Happy Pumpkin Day

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Together With

Today is National Pumpkin Day! So go grab your PSL, carve a pumpkin, and I’ll share the best jack-o-lantern that is submitted at the end of the week.

Let’s get to it!

-Landon

6 Figures Raised

Meddys and the community raised more than $122,000 for families affected by the tragedy at Stryker Sports Complex. The fundraiser included 20% of revenue from its Wichita and Salina restaurants through 10/24, and Meddys is encouraging people to keep giving, since the families have a long road ahead.

Together with Meritrust Credit Union

Even in 2026, fraud is still one of the biggest threats to your money and peace of mind.

From your mortgage to how you get your kids to soccer practice, your finances touch every part of daily life.

That’s why Meritrust Credit Union takes fraud protection so seriously, especially around the holidays when scammers are on the prowl.

Meritrust offers educational resources to help you spot red flags, protect your accounts, and stay ahead of fraudsters.

Learn more about how Meritrust is working to keep members safe from fraud in their in-depth article here.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

  • Gorjana - Bradley Fair (former Bakesale Treat Parlor) - Opening date TBD

  • MaxSecure Storage - Just west of 21st and 135th West, near the Northwest YMCA (plus two pad sites for a small eatery or coffee shop) - Opening in 18-36 months (estimated, pending city and county approval)

  • Chiang Mai East - 313 S. Greenwich (former Promise Thai) - Open now

  • All-Star Sports - 8333 W. 21st St. - Reopened 10/23

  • Fired Up Bar & Grill - 1110 W. Harry (former Dirty D's) - Opened 10/16

  • TownePlace Suites by Marriott - NewMarket Square - Opening by the end of 2027 (estimated)

  • Casey's - 3066 N. Greenwich - Opening date TBD

Moving

  • Remedy Spa - 34th and Ridge (moving from Central and 119th) - Opening in May 2027, before Mother's Day

  • The Record Ship - 2200 block of East Douglas, next to Reverie (moving from North Cleveland) - Fully open by 11/1

  • Mr. Diggs Dwelling & Co. - NewMarket Square, next to Marshalls (moving from Old Town) - Opening date TBD

Chamber Hires New CEO

The Wichita Regional Chamber hired Dale Steenbergen, who has led the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce since 2007, as president and CEO starting 12/1. He succeeds John Rolfe, and interim CEO Brecken Morel returns to chief strategy and operations officer. Welcome to Wichita, Dale!

NONPROFIT

SOBER Screening At WSU

The Phoenix, Lead Wichita and Suspenders4Hope are hosting a free advance screening of SOBER, a new documentary about people rebuilding their lives after addiction, on Wednesday, 10/28 at WSU's Campus Activities Center Theater. Food and mocktails are on the house from 5:30-6:30pm, and you'll need to RSVP to save a spot.

Free Winter Coats

The Salvation Army is giving away coats, blankets and other winter gear 10/26-10/28 at its downtown location at 350 N. Market, while supplies last. It's open to Sedgwick County residents only, and you'll need ID for everyone in your household. They still need children's coats in infant, toddler and youth sizes, which you can drop off there weekdays 9-11:45am or 12:45-4:15pm.

Empower Is Hiring

Empower, a Wichita nonprofit rooted in the Latino community, is hiring a Financial Programs Manager to run its financial education programs, including classes, workshops and matched savings. The team at Empower are some of our favorite people, so if you want to be one of our favorite people, you know what to do.

Together with Wichita Grand Opera

Puccini’s Tosca is one of opera’s great thrillers — a story of love, jealousy, and betrayal, all unfolding over the course of a single day.

At the center is Floria Tosca, a celebrated singer whose love for the painter Mario Cavaradossi places her directly in the path of Baron Scarpia, Rome’s powerful and dangerous chief of police.

What follows is a fast-moving drama filled with passion, danger, and some of Puccini’s most beautiful and unforgettable music.

Wichita Grand Opera’s TOSCA

  • October 30 at 7 PM & November 1 at 3 PM

  • Century II Concert Hall

  • Tickets $25–$85

  • Senior and military pricing available

  • Youth 18 and under free

CIVIC

17th Street Almost Done

The 17th Street rebuild between Grove and I-135, closed since February, should wrap up by the end of the year, weather permitting. The roughly $4.9 million project, nearly $1 million over estimate, brings one lane each way, a center turn lane, bike lanes, 5-foot sidewalks and better drainage.

LOCAL

Stryker Gets Barriers

After a security review, city crews put up temporary barriers at key spots around Stryker Sports Complex until permanent fixes are in place, and the complex reopened 10/19 at 3pm. COMCARE counselors were on site through Wednesday, and support is available anytime at 316-660-7500 or 988. The soccer community also gathered Sunday night, 10/18, for a vigil at Kingdom Athletics.

Shocker Hoops Preview

Wichita State's men were picked preseason AAC favorites under Paul Mills and open 11/4 against Cal State Northridge, while the women have an all-new 12-player roster under Terry Nooner and open at K-State 11/2.

Shockers Name Tennis Complex

Wichita State's new tennis facility will be called the Regine Feilmeier Tennis Complex, and crews have officially broken ground in the Ignite at K-96 development near K-96 and Greenwich. It'll have 12 outdoor courts, six indoor courts and seating for up to 1,500. Family Destination Development will gift it to WSU when it's done, the largest single gift in Shocker Athletics history.

Nashville Flights, Sooner

Southwest's nonstop Wichita-Nashville service now starts 1/6 instead of March. Eisenhower National Airport was also a runner-up in USA Today's 10Best readers' choice for best small airports, after a record 99,583 departing passengers in July and 1.8M passengers in 2025. It offers 16 nonstop destinations on 6 airlines.

Mrs. Doubtfire Arrives

Mrs. Doubtfire is coming to Century II Concert Hall 11/10-11/12. Tickets are on sale now at Broadway Wichita.

Past And Present

The Wichita Art Museum's free exhibit Past and Present features more than 65 works of American art from the past 90 years, and 25 of them have never been shown before. It includes an interactive writing and sketching station and runs through 1/3.

Flag Football All-Metro

Congrats to everyone who was nominated on the Eagle's first All-Metro flag football team!

💼 This Week’s Curated Jobs

Fresh opportunities from the Wichita Life Job Board!

🏦 Consumer Banking Sales Officer — Fidelity Bank | Wichita
Help Wichitans with loans and banking at a hometown bank. Two years of lending experience is preferred.
👉 Learn More & Apply

⚙️ Industrial Controls Technician — Hyspeco, Inc. | Wichita | $28-$30/hr
Turn electrical designs into working machines, both in the shop and at customer sites, at an employee-owned company.
👉 Learn More & Apply

🔧 Automotive Technician — Christian Brothers Automotive | West Wichita | Up to $45/hr
Fix cars and keep your weekends free at the shop on W. 29th St. N.
👉 Learn More & Apply

Click the banner above to view the full event calendar

Monday 10/26

Tuesday 10/27

Wednesday 10/28

Thursday 10/29

LIVE MUSIC

Don't see your concert or show here?

That's it for today! Send this to someone who would like to help out with their hands at Bike Walk.

Thanks!

- Landon

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