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The Active Age There's apparently no place like Wichita to experience that sniffling, sneezing, itchy, runny nose and watery eyes feeling. For the second year in a row, the city has been named the most challenging place in the United States to live with seasonal allergies by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. But there are a few things you can do about it. The 2024 report on “Allergy Capitals” based its findings on our higher-than-average tree and grass pollen, higher-than-average allergy medicine use and lower-than-average number of board-certified allergists and immunologists. The nation’s 100 most populated metro areas were ranked. The report notes that pollen See Allergies, page 6
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April 2024
True Blue Century II dome nears restoration
Courtesy photo
Renovation of Century II's trademark blue dome is nearly done. By Joe Stumpe gone is the pale turquiose shade Saved by concerned citizens from that’s loomed over the convention possible demolition, Century II is and performing arts center in recent starting to look like its old self again. decades, replaced by a vibrant blue Make that its new self. hue that seems to melt into the sky at Restoration work on the times. downtown landmark’s iconic blue “We knew the original intent dome is nearly done, with completion was for a sky-blue color,” said Brad expected by the end of summer. Nearly Teeter of SPT Architecture, who
worked on the roof plan. “When we did some tear-off, we found some of that original color. We’re closer to that color than to what everybody’s seen for the last few years.” Teeter said he thinks the roof was last painted at least 20 years ago. The work underway now is more than just a paint job, as it involved stripping off the roof and insulation down to the concrete, he said. “It’s a whole new roof system, with like a 25year warranty,” Teeter said. The $5 million job is drawing raves from the same people who’ve criticized the city’s handling of Century II in the past. “I think the roof looks marvelous, just the way it pops,” said Celeste Racette, who leads the Save Century II organization. “I’ve already been sent lots of pictures from people flying over Wichita who just love the way it looks.” The dome renovation is part of $18 million in capital improvements to Century II that the City Council approved in 2022. Of that, about See Century II, page 7
New season, new looks
Meet the winners of The Active Age’s Spring Makeover Contest
By Bonnie Bing Like a spring shower, requests came pouring in for the Active Age’s Spring Makeover Contest. To make it happen, hair stylists and makeup artists at three salons gave three lucky contestants a new hairstyle and fresh makeup techniques. Here are before-and-after photos, what the stylists had to say and how the women felt about the results. Sheila Hiebert, 80, wanted a new look when she participates in a ballroom dance showcase this summer with her husband, Lyle. Hair stylist Melissa Tinker at Eric Fisher Salon added highlights and lowlights to her hair while still keeping it natural and low maintenance. She added layers to the cut and took some weight out of the
bottom that gave it a new shape. Makeup artist Amber Zaman, also at Eric Fisher, started by shaping and filling in Hiebert’s Photos by Bonnie Bing eyebrows. Marci Williamson was one of three winners of The Ac“The brows tive Age's makeover contest. She's shown before and are important after sessions with a hair stylist and makeup artist. because they concealer under her eyes, Hiebert’s frame the face,” eyes looked bigger and brighter. Add Zaman said. Zaman put cool, damp pads under foundation, blush, lip liner and lipstick Hiebert’s eyes to help reduce bags and in a darker shade than Sheila usually wears, and voila! catch eyeshadow. With brown tones in light shades under her brows and See Makeover, page 3
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