"Every reform movement has its lunatic fringe"

Hello and welcome to another installation of Kansan adventuring. If you're wondering if I'll ever get more on top of my updates, the answer is of course not. If you're also wondering about the title of this post, I could say stop being so curious; it's none of your damn business. But in that case you'd be a cat and you'd probably lack the digital coordination necessary to operate a computer (that's for you Kels).


Seriously though, a coworker sent me that quote because he thought it seemed fitting for our office. I like it there because everyone is just a bit nuts and a tad idealistic. Basically, we have beautiful, impractical, ambitious ideas coming out of our eyeballs. We do get things done though. Some of you may already know, but I recently designed and wrote a grant with my coworker Josh and we won $8000 to start a community walking club. Very exciting stuff, especially considering if was the first grant I ever wrote! So 1 for 1--we'll see how long that lasts.


I've also been writing the newsletter that RDA sends out to about 600 residents and businesses in the community. You can read the newsletters here (mine are March and April). I've been working with volunteer groups, especially in our community gardens. We have quite a few popping up, as one of our strategies for fighting childhood obesity in the neighborhood is fresh food access. RDA recently acquired two vacant lots across the street from my house for us to start a garden in. That's right, 5300 square feet for the girl who's only ever grown tomatoes in a pot. So, very wisely, I've decided to grow potatoes, beets, carrots, lettuce, spinach, asparagus, corn, squash, watermelon, peppers, and every herb found in North America! Oh don't fret for the poor, unsuspecting plants; my roommate works on a farm. He's guiding us and I'm writing everything down in the hope that I might be able to replicate some semblance of a garden on my own someday.


Let's see, what else have I been up to? I've been running with a Girls & Moms on the Move club, which builds young girls' self-esteem with healthy programming and a weekly walk/run leading up to a 5K. I got running shoes donated for our girls (plus pedometers, reflectors, and armbands for our community walking club--people just give you stuff if you ask nicely, who knew?) I've been working with a group of KCAI students who designed an amazing sidewalk advocacy project. The park in the video is right by my house, and I cross this terrifying road on my bike at least three times a week. Follow their blog and check this site out when it launches in a few weeks (I wrote their "about" section). They're also erecting a huge billboard on I-35 in May and the UG (local gov't here) has taken interest in the project. I help out with a Walking School Bus every Wednesday, volunteer with a Healthy Kids Club, keep up RDA's website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and I'm planning a volunteer e-newsletter. Our Farmers Market kicks off this weekend and I'm doing a healthy cooking demonstration with dandelions! (Not only are they free, but they're delicious in a salad and one of the healthiest greens you can eat!) I spoke at an Excellence in Education elementary school program, I'm coordinating our Summer Youth Employment program, and though it's crazy busy, I am loving it.


But enough about me...what are you all up to? Feel free to comment and follow my blog. You can also check out pictures on my work account Facebook "Stephanie Kollmann". Other than (all) that, I'm just meeting lots of new people and seeing as much of KC as I can. I went to a secret jazz bar the other night and my first KC barbecue experience was at Oklahoma Joe's, which Anthony Bourdain lists as one of the top 13 places to eat in the world.  There are also tons of great Mexican places here, and the first Friday of every month we check out a bunch of free art galleries in the Crossroads District. Most excitingly though, Bret Baker will be moving here this summer! So life is good. (The only thing missing in my life is more jellyfish). Message me and follow RDA on the web to help build up our exposure! All my love from KC...