Teachers and district officials prepare to begin salary negotiations Wednesday with the assistance of a mediator.

Photo by Andy Hyland

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The Sunflower ArtFest at Kill Creek Farm will feature the work of 21 area artists.

Photo by Contributed photo

The garden at West Middle School has been thriving despite the dry conditions and triple-digit heat. Student gardeners said the keys to a successful garden have been watering and weeding.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Nancy O'Connor, director of the "Growing Food, Growing Health" project, talks about the project's first 5K fundraiser which will be July 28. The event will benefit gardens at West Middle School and Sunset Hill and Hillcrest elementary schools. O'Connor was discussing the event during a garden workday on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at West Middle School. Listening, from left, are Hayley Luna, Martha Allen and TJ Everett.

Photo by Karrey Britt

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Lily Siebert, center, garden coordinator for the "Growing Health, Growing Food" project, discusses the project's upcoming 5K fundraiser with TJ Everett, student gardener, after finishing work Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the West Middle School garden. Siebert was offering costume suggestions for TJ who will be working during the event. She suggested spinach, which caused TJ to smile and then shake his head. At left is Martha Allen, a Lawrence High School graduate, who is a summer intern for the project. She will be a junior this fall at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.

Photo by Karrey Britt

"“Polis:Biomass" by Matthew Burke

Matthew Burke

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Lawrence High senior Sterling Fuller, left, loses a match of rock-paper-scissors to freshman Parker Kirkpatrick, as the two determine which team gets the ball prior to a game of three-on-three on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at LHS.

Photo by Nick Krug

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Lawrence High senior Jake Mosiman drives to the bucket past junior Bryce Montes de Oca on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at LHS. The small-ball Lions’ boys team went 18-7 in a series of games this summer and hope to carry that success over into next season.

Photo by Nick Krug

The renovation of Memorial Stadium and removal of the track that surrounds its field — seen here on Wednesday, July 12, 2012 — are projects many in the Kansas University football community would welcome. KU officials continue to explore their options regarding a stadium face-lift, but KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger said any plans are on hold until a new home is found for the Jayhawk track and field programs.

Photo by Nick Krug

Bonnie Uffman, 66, sits on her front porch Wednesday, July 11, 2012, with her cat named Sunny Konza. Uffman is spearheading an effort to start a village in East Lawrence that will help seniors, like herself, remain in their homes. A village is a nonprofit organization that’s run by its members and it provides one-stop shopping for a variety of services and programs.

Photo by Richard Gwin

Docent Amanda Martin Hamon leads visitors on a tour of Kansas University's Spencer Museum of Art. The museum hopes to expand in the wake of the university's ongoing fundraising campaign.

Photo by Richard Gwin

U.S. Health and Human Services Acting Regional Director Jay Angoff visits with Allison Veeder, an advanced practice registered nurse with Heartland Community Health Center, during a reception Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Heartland. Angoff applauded the health center for its efforts to care for anyone regardless of their health status and ability to pay. In June, HHS announced that Heartland would receive a renewable, annual grant of $650,000 as part of being named a Federally Qualified Health Center. Pictured at left is Cindy Hart, of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.

Photo by Nick Krug

Youth Volunteer Corps kids add finishing touches to an alleyway mural Wednesday morning behind the 1109 Gallery at 1109 Mass. About 15 kids teamed up for the project, which reads “Make Art.” Work on the mural began Monday and concluded Wednesday. TOP PHOTO: Paintbrushes in buckets await the eager young artists.

Photo by Nick Krug

At left, Ami Sjah, 22, of Lincoln, R.I., brushes some paint on the Habitat for Humanity house Wednesday.

Photo by Richard Gwin

A group of 30 Bike and Build bicyclists were in Lawrence on Wednesday to help with a Habitat for Humanity home build at 1933 Maple Lane. Some of the volunteers did some work to the home’s front early on Wednesday.

Photo by Richard Gwin

John O. Dick

Two members of the Sgt. Samuel J. Churchill Camp No. 4 chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Lawrence, received awards at their state meeting April 28 in Emporia. Pictured, from left, are Kansas Department Commander Roy Lafferty, of Lawrence; Ryan Todd, 13, of Baldwin City; and Robert Wandel, of Lawrence. Ryan received his award for Accomplishments by a Junior Member (for organizing a Living History Day for Baldwin City schools), and Wandel received his for Recruiter of the Year. Mike Todd submitted the photo.