photo by: John Young

Diamonique Vann, 11, Lawrence, claps along with traditional Mexican music while waiting to dance during the annual Festival of Cultures on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 at South Park in downtown Lawrence.

Alonzo Robinson

photo by: Nick Krug

Sixth-grader Raul Melgar signs the word for "cool" as he, Esther Biser, left, fourth grade, and Carl Labine, sixth grade, have a laugh while trading stories on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. The school, which is open to state residents ages 3-21, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this month.

photo by: John Young

Kansas forward Caroline Kastor (10) leaps up to knock the ball away from several Oral Roberts Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Julie Branstrom, who directs the Douglas County Dental Clinic, has a side business making jewelry from sea glass. Branstrom and her family collect the glass on family trips to California.

photo by: Katie Bean

A utility apron with deep pockets works for gardening, home projects, garage sales and more.

From left Adrienne Paranjothi, Susan Brown, Jen Deming, Jackie French, Laurie Ostronic and Sara Waggoner get together to socialize Wednesday evening at the home of Deming before playing Bunko. September is Women's Friendship Month.

photo by: Nick Krug

Nine-year-old Adam Davison watches as Halston Rucker fits his older brother Eric, 13, at Brown's Shoe Fit Company, 829 Mass. The boys' mother, Jamie, says that she has to buy them new shoes every two or three months for athletic shoes and monthly for the athletic slides Adam favors.

photo by: Nick Krug

Halston Rucker of Brown's Shoe Fit Company, 829 Mass., shows off a selection of kids' shoe styles. Rucker says that durability and fit vary greatly and it's best to get your child's shoes fitted by a professional.

photo by: Caitlin Donnelly

Columnist Caitlin Donnelly had the opportunity to visit the offices of Ralph Lauren in New York City.