• The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has received two awards for KANSAS! Magazine. The International Regional Magazine Association Inc. recognized the fall 2011 edition of KANSAS! with its award of merit in the food feature category and a bronze in the category of most improved magazine. The awards were based on overall writing and design. Sunflower Publishing, a division of the World Company, which publishes the Lawrence Journal-World, is responsible for the editorial and design production of KANSAS! Magazine. Staff includes general manager Bert Hull, managing editor Katy Ibsen, and art director/designer Shelly Bryant. The food-feature award was for an article written by Overland Park writer Kimberly Winter Stern with photography by Jason Dailey, Sunflower Publishing’s chief photographer. “Chefs a la Carte” profiled Michael Beard (715, Lawrence), Greg Fox (Row House Restaurant and Catering, Topeka), Richard Sanell (Café on the Route, Baxter Springs) and Beth Tully (Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates, Wichita). The honor for most improved magazine recognized general improvements in the 2011 editions of KANSAS! Magazine compared with 2010 editions.

• Lawrence Plastic Surgery employees Patty Rymer, aesthetician, and Cheri Thompson, registered nurse, recently presented a skin care seminar at Hair Concept in Topeka, hosted by owner Cindi Judd. The community outreach education is an extension of their “Lunch and Learn” programs. Lawrence Plastic Surgery will provide information at the Nov. 14 Chamber of Commerce Lawrence Business Expo.

• Two area pharmacists — Marvin Bredehoft, Lawrence, and Lori Murdock, De Soto — have been elected to three-year terms on the board of directors of the Kansas Independent Pharmacy Service Corporation. Bredehoft owns Medical Arts Pharmacy, and Murdock owns Cedar Creek Pharmacy.

• Project: Hire Me, a free community outreach workshop to help job seekers find employment, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H. Topics include a focus on interview tips, employer expectations, identifying skill sets for the right job and good customer service. Presentations will be made by the Local Workforce Center, individuals with specific expertise, Target, the Sixth Street Hy-Vee, The Shelter, Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm and more. This nonreligious event is sponsored by a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Attendance is limited to 35. To reserve a spot, call Trinity Lutheran Church at 843-4150. A free, light lunch will be included.

• Three Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical employees have been promoted. Lt. Gary Gutsch has been promoted to captain; and Andy Flory and Jason Love, both engineer/EMT, have been promoted to lieutenant. Gutsch is a 12-year veteran, serving as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. And Flory and Love have served for eight years as engineer/EMT.