Did you love the Topeka version of the Google logo that graced Google’s website on April Fool’s Day? With just a few clicks, you can enjoy Google’s Topeka logo everyday! Simply follow these steps if you’ve using a FireFox or Google Chrome as your browser:

For FireFox:
1.       Download Firefox (if you don’t already use if for serious browsing sessions): http://www.firefox.com
2.       Install Greasemonkey for Firefox here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748
3.       Install Google Doodle GM script from within Firefox on this page: http://code.google.com/p/gmsearchscripts/
4.       Select Topeka as your favorite Google Doodle here: http://www.google.com/logos

For Google Chrome:
1.       Download Google Chrome (if you don’t already use it for casual browsing)… http://www.google.com/chrome
2.       Install the Favorite Doodle Extension here: https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/nedjejdfkkjgebciefdfofjhmeogiaga
3.       Select Topeka as your favorite Google Doodle here: http://www.google.com/logos

Thanks Brendan Jensen for figuring this out and sharing it!

Google has changed their home page logo to Topeka for April Fool’s Day! I assume this was inspired by our (Topeka, Kansas’s) temporary re-naming last month to Google, Kansas and Think Big Topeka‘s #1G4Topeka effort.

If you’ve been following the whole Google, Kansas thing, then you probably know that Topeka is pretty serious about bringing the Fiber Experiment to our community. Sure, we re-named the city for a month, but that was just one of many grassroots initiatives to show Google how much Topeka wants Fiber! Our efforts include more than 16,500 Facebook Group members, almost 900 photos, a whole slew of TV appearances/Radio interviews/blogs/articles and 31 videos, like this one by Gizmo Pictures:

We also had the first Google-related Flash MOB, a Google St. Patrick’s Day parade and a final rally at the Google RoadRunners game where the community spelled out GOOGLE on the ice after the game.

I’ve always been a fan of Google’s April Fool’s Day pranks, but this is one I’ll never forget!

Thanks Google, you guys really do Think Big!

Have you ever visited C.W. Porubsky Deli & Tavern located at 508 NE Sardou in the Little Russia neighborhood of North Topeka? The deli opened more than 60 years ago and has survived floods, fires and recessions, all while being owned by the Porubsky family. And it’s known nationally and internationally for their chili, hot pickles and cold cuts.

To honor Porubsky’s story and all of its history, several groups in town have joined together to film a documentary about the deli. The full-length feature film will premiere in Topeka in late 2009. Check out a preview of here:

Please help fund this piece of Topeka history by making a tax deductible donation at the Topeka Community Foundation and selecting the Porubsky Documentary Fund. All proceeds generated by the documentary will be donated to the local arts organization, ARTsConnect.

People/Companies involved in the production of this film include:
Matthew Porubsky & Leah Sewell -- writing the screenplay
Gizmo Pictures – filming, producing & editing
Jeff Carson & Greg Ready -- Executive Producers
Justin Marable -- creating original artwork for the poster and DVD cover
Dan & Sam Billen -- creating the original soundtrack
Kansas Humanities Council -- Humanities & Heritage grant

For  more information visit the C.W. Porubsky’s – Transcendent Deli Facebook Fan Page and become a fan. Or click here to download the Film Proposal which includes the history of the deli, specifics about the content, timeline and budget, as well as, how it will benefit the Topeka community.

The Topeka Chamber of Commerce recently released this new video promoting the quality of life in Topeka:

What do you think about it?

Overall, I really like it. I showcases some great Topeka locations and events, and even a couple of things that I didn’t realize Topeka had!

The thing I like best about this video, compared to another Topeka video that was also released recently, is that it’s produced by hometown talent. The guys at Gizmo Pictures are the best video production company in the Midwest! I can’t understand why any Topeka agency would pay for a video produced by an out-of-state production crew when they have access to the best right in their back yard.

Tomorrow morning is my first Heartland Visioning Task Force meeting. I am very proud to be part of the group, and look forward to the opportunity to directly contribute in the shaping of Topeka’s future. I consider being on the Task Force a great responsibility, so I’ve prepared myself in every way I thought possible.

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