From the local chocolatiers at Hazel Hill Chocolate Traditions comes a new line of chocolate that emphasizes the flavors of the product’s single origin. The aptly named Single Origin Chocolate is made from raw cacao sourced from separate regions from around the world. The individual bars are named from their place of origin, which include Sur Del Lago from Venezuela, Sambirano from Madagascar and Lam Dong from Vietnam. “This is something that not many in my field are doing,” that being “taking heirloom cacao with regional flavor and using them for food,” says owner Nick Xidis. Utilizing its own separate kitchen, located in the lower level of the shop, Hazel… Read More
Continue ReadingFebruary 5, 2018 Legislative Update
Governor Coyler Sworn-in Jeff Coyler was sworn in as the Governor of Kansas last Wednesday afternoon on the first floor of the Statehouse. The new Governor has alluded to setting a new tone in the Governor’s office, though the particulars of what that will mean remain obscure. He did quickly make some staff changes appointing, for example, Johnson County representative Larry Campbell as his new budget director and dubbing previous budget director, Shawn Sullivan, as his new Chief Operating Officer. He has also indicated a desire to repair relations between the governor’s office and the legislature. Governor Coyler will be offering new rules this week addressing sexual harassment in state… Read More
Continue ReadingFebruary 1, 2018 Legislative Update
New Governor Following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Governor Brownback as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, he resigned as Governor of Kansas at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Lieutenant-Governor Jeff Colyer succeeded him in a swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol rotunda. Observers are curious to learn how their new Governor will compare in his policies and outlooks to his predecessor. Coyler has suggested for months that he will bring a new tone to the Governor’s office but it is tough to gauge what that means in terms of his approach to school finance or Medicaid Expansion, for example. He has been more involved in certain issues than is typically… Read More
Continue ReadingJanuary 22, 2018 Legislative Update
School Finance The legislature continues to study possible ways to address the supreme court’s school finance ruling. Lawmakers are loath to raise taxes, especially in light of last year’s tax overhaul and this year’s elections. Last week, the House Appropriations Committee was told that one way to find the $600 million over five years which the court seems to be demanding would be to implement an 18% across the board budget cut in overall state funding. This is scarcely more palatable than raising revenues; one legislator flatly received the report as “insightful.” The legislature has engaged a professor from Texas A&M to study the cost of providing constitutionally adequate school funding… Read More
Continue ReadingSelf-care & Wellness: Oshnik Yoga
For many of us, a very specific image comes to mind when thinking about yoga: a person stretching his or her fabulous body into a seemingly impossible pose, their face as calm as a Hindu cow. Moreover, some people find the superficial traits reflected in this image (that of being poised, flexible and strong) to be the ultimate attainment for practicing yoga. However, while it is true that this practice can reinforce these physical attributes, yoga can also help develop mindfulness- an exercise that can help improve physical and mental health as well as overall well-being. In this edition of our Self-Care & Wellness blog series, the Chamber would like… Read More
Continue ReadingEast Topeka Learning Center – Focus Groups
In an effort to advance the process of the East Topeka Learning Center project, GO Topeka has partnered with Ketchum Global Research & Analytics to glean information directly from the Topeka community. The project started by reaching out via a telephone survey asking for volunteers to be a part of a focus group. Many who were called were receptive to being a part of a 90-minute focus group. The objectives of the focus groups are to further understand the needs of East Topeka community residents in their own words in regards to the East Topeka Learning Center project and validate the findings and market segments from the survey. Some of… Read More
Continue ReadingSelf-Care and Wellness: Midwest Float
Self-Care and Wellness: Midwest Float In the hopes of making it a truly happy holiday, we often undertake a myriad of responsibilities on the behalf of others: we schlep relatives from the airport at odd hours, fight the crowds at the super market to get that special ingredient that was conveniently forgotten during the last trip, and – on top of maintaining your personal and professional schedules – somehow find time to clean and decorate the house for company. So, is it any wonder that to many of us the season “to be jolly” ‘tis also the season for stress and anxiety? In many cases, holiday stress can be attributed… Read More
Continue ReadingEconomic Outlook Conference
The inaugural Economic Outlook Conference presented by U.S. Bank is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at Washburn University’s Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. Join us to learn about the state of the economy on a national, regional and local level. Bill Northey, Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Bank Private Client Group, will be the keynote speaker, addressing the economy on the national level. We have partnered with the Washburn University School of Business to offer a student discount for Washburn students. Breakfast will be provided to attendees. Thank you to our partners, GO Topeka and Washburn University School of Business, for making this event possible.… Read More
Continue ReadingCustom Tree Care: A Growing Business
The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize and congratulate its member, Custom Tree Care, for ranking No. 98 on Ingram’s Top 100 of 2017 and No. 3724 on Inc. Magazine’s 5000. These lists measure the overall revenue growth experienced in the previous three years. Custom Tree Care yielded an annual average growth rate of 26.74% and had experienced an overall growth rate of 80.22% since 2013; the company’s yearly revenue for 2016 was $4.4 M. Custom Tree Care was established in Topeka in 1999. It provides services both in residential upkeep and disaster recovery. In fact, at the time of publication, Custom Tree Care President Greg Gathers and… Read More
Continue Reading2017 Chamber Business Expo
The Who’s Who of the Business Community By: Jensen Moore On Oct. 24, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Expo in the Ramada Downtown Topeka. More than 100 exhibitors will be presenting their wares and services to the public while connecting and learning from their fellow local businesses. The event will commence with a luncheon in the Grand Ballroom. During this time, attendees will hear a keynote presentation from the members of Top Tank. Learn what inspired these six impresarios to create a contest that will endow one creative entrepreneur with $100,000 to start their business, and how this contest will benefit Shawnee County. Members Include… Read More
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