Me̱ꞌpha̱a̱: An Indigenous Mexican community in Lawrence is saving their language from extinction
The Lawrence Times: Indigenous languages are under threat. With up to 95% of the world’s languages expected to go extinct by the end of this century, generations’ worth of Indigenous traditions and history may be left a mystery. That’s why a coalition of KU professors have teamed up with a local community of immigrants from Guerrero, Mexico, to reclaim their endangered Me̱ꞌpha̱a̱ language.
New Lawrence MMIW chapter kicks off week of action to raise awareness about violence against Indigenous women
The Lawrence Times: With activities ranging from a free self-defense class to a social media campaign, Native organizers are drawing attention to Missing, Murdered and Indigenous Women. This is one of the most pressing issues facing the Native population, as Native women are murdered at a rate 10x higher than the national average.
Saltwell Farm Kitchen: A culinary journey into hospitality, heritage and home
The Lawrence Times: Just more than a year ago, this restaurant was a long-abandoned farmhouse with its roof caving in. But with lots of hard work and a great team surrounding them, Shantel Grace and Rozz Petrozz opened Saltwell Farm Kitchen to the public with one simple request: Come as you are.
Indigenous Community Center launches Native youth skate team in Lawrence
The Lawrence Times: The ICC is helping local Native youth build confidence and healthy habits through its new skate team. Follow me around their first meet at the Edgewood DIY Skate Park.
Sister Cities program in Lawrence connects community with Japan, Germany, Greece
The Lawrence Times: Since 1986, Lawrence's Sister Cities program has planted the seed for marriages between Lawrencians and residents in Eutin, Germany; brought our quilting community closer to the one in Hiratsuka, Japan; and even helped KU Theatre collaborate on a Greek tragedy performed in the ancient open-air theatre of Iniades, Greece.
Pastor Verdell Taylor leaves 26-year legacy at Lawrence’s historic St. Luke AME Church
The Lawrence Times: After his recent retirement, Taylor is celebrating his legacy of leading the church through a phase of transition. But for this East Lawrence entity with a deep history intertwined with the civil rights movement, growing into the future means staying grounded in its roots.
At the University of Kansas, the Spencer Museum of Art reopens to a brighter future
KCUR: The Spencer Museum celebrates their grand reopening after 18 months of renovations, which include more natural light and accessibility.
KU student helps family escape Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, find new home
The Lawrence Times: Ahmad “Baset” Azizi is a KU political science student, not a congressman. But that’s what his older sister claimed as she showed a picture of Azizi to an officer at the crowded Kabul airport on Aug. 24. Her family was trying to stand out from the rest of the crowd, desperate to escape Afghanistan after it fell to the Taliban.
Taking out the trash: Busting misconceptions about the lives of garbage men
Freelance: A look into the daily routines of our world’s most essential workers.
Lawrence cooperative living: Opening the door to the Ad Astra House
Freelance: Residents at the Ad Astra co-op are building a sustainable and egalitarian community for queer residents, while upholding anti-oppressive housing practices.
Local family opens farm-restaurant on grassroots journey toward homegrown fine dining
The Lawrence Times: The Burning Barrel, a new farm-restaurant and events space in Lecompton, makes supporting local farmers as easy as sitting down for dinner. As guests enjoy an evening on the patio of the Burning Barrel’s Origin Restaurant, which overlooks 30 acres of Kansas pastures, co-owners Brian Strecker and Kristin Werner emphasize taste as tribute to a simple life connected with the earth.
Douglas County’s Treatment and Recovery Center to serve community members battling addiction, mental illness
The Lawrence Times: Citizens in Douglas County have spent years advocating and collaborating on the Treatment and Recovery Center. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, they celebrated this new facility as a resource for residents in crisis. It’s one that’s designed to save lives, especially as issues like substance abuse escalate in the community.
Farm-to-table for free: The local farmer and activist making food a public work
The Lawrence Times: The government’s traditional approach to hunger has been to fund the consumption — not the production — of food. Pantaleon Florez, a farmer and food justice activist in Lawrence, is planting the seeds for a new approach. It’s one that would support BIPOC farmers and promote access to healthy foods for people in need.
Indigenous Community Center launches new food sovereignty farm
The Lawrence Times: The ICC has reserved an acre of farmland in northeast Lawrence, where a crew of volunteers will plant native crops including vegetables and herbal medicines, to promote Indigenous land stewardship.
From the Caribbean to Kansas: Earl Moise, founder of Rising Son Plumbing, shares his story
The Lawrence Times: Moise, one of the best-known master plumbers in town, hasn’t always lived here. From a childhood spent on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia to teenage years marked by the frantic pace of Brooklyn, he’s glad to now call Lawrence home … but that didn’t come without struggle.
Family-owned Evelin’s Auto Care shifts gears into a new niche
The Lawrence Times: Evelin’s Auto Care, known for its wash, wax, and detailing services, is tucked away in a corner off Sixth and Minnesota streets. It’s a small shop, but it’s named after someone even smaller. Meet 5-year-old Evelin Vincent. She’s what drives her parents, Justin and Amanda Vincent, to pour their hearts into the namesake auto shop.
29th Haskell Art Market represents dozens of tribal creators in cross-cultural event
University Daily Kansan: At this year’s Haskell Indian Art Market, the Lawrence community got a taste of authentic Native-American artwork — and Indian tacos.
Catherine Bell makes supporting local designers Sew Simple
The Lawrence Times: Lawrence native Catherine Bell grew up with 10 siblings, but she was the only one to take up her mom’s passion for sewing and fashion design. Now Bell is passing the torch — or needle — to the kids she’s had under her wing since 2019, when she started teaching sewing classes under the name Sew Simple Sewing.
Innovative nonprofit uses the power of community to fund Black-owned businesses in Kansas City
B The Change: GIFTKC has launched a model to support local Black-owned businesses and challenge systemic racism.