Ninety-percent of girls in the 2010 Girls and Body Image survey by the Girl Scout Research Institute say the media places a lot of pressure on girls to be thin.  The alarming statistics about teen girls’ relationships with the media and fashion industry were discussed during a roundtable Thursday night in Hays presented by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland and Eagle Communications.

Keynote speaker FHSU Marketing Professor Dr. Mary Martin presented her research about the influence of beauty of advertising models on pre-adolescents.   Panelists were Tammy McClellan-Owner/Operator of Simply Charmed; Becky Kiser-Street Beat Executive Producer; Dr. Carrie Nassif-Clinical Psychologist at Turning Point Professional Counseling Services;and Kelsey Stremel-Owner/Operator of Stremel Photography.  The community event was moderated by Dr. Jill Arensdor-FHSU Leadership Studies Department Chair.

Girl Scouts of the USA(GSUSA) is developing programming that promotes girls’ healthy living and supports the “Healthy Media for Youth” House bill introduced by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI 2nd District).

Humor and circus skills are used to illustrate earth science and ecology concepts by “Laughing Matters, ” Jay and Leslie Cadyof Kansas City.  Their program “Juggling the Earth’s Resources” was presented Wednesday morning at Wilson Elementary School in Hays.  The duo is touring elementary schools in Hays, Russell, Ellis, Victoria and Plainville this week.

The “going green” presentations are the first school residency program of the year sponsored by the Hays Arts Council.

All local elementary school students are invited to a special math workshop by “Laughing Matters” Thursday afternoon at four in the Hays Public Library.

Storm sewer lining work is underway in several areas of Hays.  Contractors started the project Wednesday.  Several partial road closures will occur during the day, but all roads should be fully open by each evening. The partial closure areas are:  12^th Street between Main and Oak Street;  Oak Street north of 13^th Street; 13^th  between Felten and Haney;  and the 22^nd Street bridge near General Custer.

Workers are accessing the storm sewer system through existing manholes.  The project is expected to take less than two weeks to complete, weather permitting.

(Bunker Hill) The Smoky Hills Public Television Board of Directors has promoted Michael Quade to take the helm as general manager and CEO at the public television station serving central and western Kansas.

Quade was appointed interim general manager in April.  He started at SHPTV in May of 2002 and was appointed production manager in 2008.  Michael grew up in Hoisington, Kansas.  He is a graduate of Barton Community College and Fort Hays State University where he earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Accounting.

Midwest Deutsches Oktoberfest Chairman Leo Dorzweiler resigned his position Saturday during the opening ceremony for the weekend event at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.  Dorzweiler organized the event 10 years ago.  He resigned after being informed two weeks ago that beer could not be sold on Sunday.

A 2006 ordinance prohibiting Sunday sales of liquor and cereal-malt beverages  in unincorporated areas of Ellis County has not been enforced until recently.  A vendor from the new Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex asked County Clerk Alberta Klaus about getting a cereal-malt beverage license.  After obtaining a legal opinion from County Counselor Bill Jeter, Klaus notified all entities with a cereal-malt beverage license in Ellis County that Sunday sales are not allowed.

Meanwhile, Ellis County Commissioners have decided  to revisit the Sunday alcohol sales issue during their October 3^rd meeting.

More tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

Hays residents continue sharing their ideas for the community’s future through an updated comprehensive plan.  Four “design” workshops are being held this week at the Hays Welcome Center with consultants RDG Planning and Design.  Since April, the  team has convened community members several times to discuss major issues, goals and priorities.  RDG Project Manager Amy Haase says the 20 year plan will be aggressive in stabilizing and growing Hays, while also melding with growth at Fort Hays State University.

Two more meetings will be held Wednesday at 8a.m. and at 5:30p.m.

RDG will return in October for meetings specifically focused on the downtown Hays area and Vine Street Corridor.  More tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

More than 300 area 5th graders are participating in Monday’s annual Ben Franklin Day at Fort Hays State University, sponsored by the American Democracy Project staff, Department of Teacher Education and Forsyth Library.  The event is inspired by two original, handwritten letters by Benjamin Franklin housed in Forsyth.  The letters, as well as two original pages of the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper, were donated to FHSU by alumnus Cecil Currey.

Franklin is portrayed by Fred Krebs of Johnson Community College.  After a snack at the “Boston Tea Party,” students listen as Franklin talks about his famous kite-flying experiment using a metal key to prove lightening is electricity.

The Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed announced Monday it’s become a certified medical fitness facility by the Medical Fitness Association.  Stephanie Schaffer, Fitness Director, says the ” medical fitness model is unique in the fact that we integrate many services and have established ourselves as a part of the hospitals continuum of care while working closely with the healthcare providers; to our qualified staff and finally with our involvement within the community. ”

Based on the Medical Fitness Association’s naturally recognized official Standards and Guidelines for Medical Fitness Facilities, the certification process involves an in-depth review of a facility’s adherence to the prescribed standards and guidelines. The Medical Fitness Association Facility Certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the health and wellness industry.

The Center for Health Improvement opened its doors 10 years ago to the community with the mission “To Help People Get Well Sooner and Stay Well Longer.”   On Saturday, October 1 the public is invited to come and join the group fitness instructors in the gymnasium and lap pool for a morning full of classes for all fitness levels.  There is no charge and anyone is welcome.  For more information call 623-5900.

Midwest Energy’s  Annual Yard Line Natural Gas Leak Survey is underway in several western Kansas cities.  Several rural lines will also be checked.  According to Midwest Energy spokesperson Bob Helm, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires  all lines be surveyed for leaks every three years. Midwest Energy  surveys yard lines every year throughout their system.  Leaks are classified in several different categories. Those that need immediate attention, if found, are repaired immediately. Other leaks are repaired as necessary.  Midwest Energy is based in Hays.

Following the elimination of state funding for the Kansas Arts Commission earlier this year by Governor Sam Brownback, a new grassroots group has organized to advocate reinstatement of those dollars.  Kansas Citizens for the Arts is making a series of presentations across the state this month to supporters of public arts funding.

Wednesday night a strategy session was held at the Hays Arts Council.  About 30 people attended the meeting facilitated by Hays resident Henry Schwaller, a Kansas Citizens for the Arts board member.  The group, with attendees from as far away as Oberlin and Salina, agreed to begin developing their individual messages of art funding support for delivery to Kansas legislators before the January session starts.

The next Kansas Citizens for the Arts strategy session is Tuesday in Wichita.

Members of the Hays Beautification Committee Thursday selected their top pick among design entries for new
“Welcome to Hays ” banners on Vine Street.  The HBC recommendation will go to Hays City Commissioners for the final decision.   Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jana Jordan says the artists were directed to keep in mind the look of the city’s existing wayfinding signage.

The current banners have been in place a little more than three years,  and are weather-worn.  The new banner project will be done in phases starting at I-70, then south on Vine to 27th Street.  The next phase will start north of I-70.  Each light pole can accommodate two 2-sided banners.

The project is funded in the CVB budget.  No prize money for the winning artist, says Jordan, just the “bragging rights.”

The annual Fall Career Fair at Fort Hays State University is underway in Gross Memorial Coliseum.  Career Services coordinates the event as an opportunity for students of any major to meet potential employers from a wide range of businesses and industry.   Company representatives are offering jobs, both full and part-time, as well as internships and summer employment.

Students majoring in education can attend a Teacher Career Fair in the spring.