From left, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Marilyn Tavenner, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, listen to Kansas University School of Pharmacy dean Ken Audus talk about the school's challenges during a tour Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Lawrence’s off-leash, dog park called Mutt Run was established in 2001 below the Clinton Dam. The park, which is pictured Sunday, July 29, 2012, will be getting $20,000 worth of improvements this year, including expanded parking, upgrades to the shelter, new signage, a dog wash pad and small dog pond.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Lawrence has an off-lease dog park called Mutt Run below the Clinton Dam. This is the fenced area for small dogs that Lawrence Parks and Recreation department staff plan to clear later this year. Director Ernie Shaw said, "It's kind of overgrown and people don't use it, so this fall we are going to go in there and clean that all up. There's a lot of poison ivy and things like that in this little area and there's a lot of under brush."

Photo by Karrey Britt

In front, Lawrence resident Bonnie Uffman, left, and Judy Willett, of Village to Village Network, answer questions during a community meeting about starting a village for older adults in Lawrence. About 70 people attended the meeting Thursday, July 12, 2012, in the East Lawrence Recreation Center.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Judy Bellome, chief executive of the Visiting Nurses Association of Douglas County, asks a question during a community meeting about starting a village for older adults in East Lawrence. About 70 people attended the meeting Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the East Lawrence Recreation Center.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Judy Willett, national director of Village to Village Network, talks about the village concept during a community meeting Thursday, July 29, 2012, at the East Lawrence Recreation Center. A small group of women are spearheading an effort to start a village for older adults in East Lawrence.

Photo by Karrey Britt

About 60 people attended a panel discussion about federal health reform Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Maceli's in downtown Lawrence. The panelists are, from left in front, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Lawrence Memorial Hospital President and CEO Gene Meyer, and Michael Williams, of UnitedHealthcare of Kansas City.

Photo by Karrey Britt

From left, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Lawrence Memorial Hospital President and CEO Gene Meyer and Michael Williams, of UnitedHealthcare of Kansas City, discuss federal health reform Thursday, July 19, 2012, during a luncheon at Maceli's, 1031 N.H.

Photo by Karrey Britt

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

Janelle Martin, executive director of the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Partnership, third from right, speaks during a meeting Monday, June 25, 2012, about finalizing a list of health priorities for Douglas County. Others at the meeting were from left: Maley Wilkins, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department board member; Chip Blaser, executive director of the Douglas County Community Foundation; Rick Doll, Lawrence Public Schools superintendent; David Johnson, CEO of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center; Bruce Beale, DCCCA executive director; Martin; Vince Romero, health department staff member; and Jon Stewart, CEO of Heartland Community Health Center.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Vickie Collie-Akers, left, of the Kansas University' Work Group for Community Health and Development, counts raised hands as community leaders, including Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department Director Dan Partridge, vote for their top health priorities during a meeting Monday, June 25, 2012, at the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Shirley Martin-Smith, center, talks about how jobs can affect a person's health during a meeting Monday, June 25, 2012, at the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine. About 30 community leaders set a list of five health priorities for Douglas County and employment made the list. Pictured, from left, are Paul Liechti and Carol Seager, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department board members; Martin-Smith; Cynthia Wagner, assistant city manager for City of Lawrence; Maley Wilkins, health department board member; Chip Blaser, executive director of the Douglas County Community Foundation; and Rick Doll, superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools.

Photo by Karrey Britt

A 4-year-old Poodle named Brie was sporting her Halloween spirit on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at the second annual Dogtoberfest in South Park. She had candy corn-colored earns and toenails.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Community members fill up Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont Street, for a public forum on the closure of the Lawrence office of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services on Monday, July 11, 2011.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Karen Shumate, chief operating officer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, left, is pictured with community residents who have volunteered at LMH for 15 years. They are, from left, Marolyn Anderson, Helen Cobb and Beverly VanDayke. They were recognized Monday, April 11, 2011, during a ceremony at the Carnegie Building in downtown Lawrence.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Top row from left: Shelle Arnold, Mary Beth Hill, Brianne Cook, Barbara Gorman. Bottom row from left: Jeanne Bronoski, Carolyn Berry, Bob Silipigni, Diane Ash.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Monica Taylor and other WellCommons staff members collect fans and canned goods for the Salvation Army Saturday July 17, 2010, as part of a drive put together by the site.

Photo by Karrey Britt

Madeline Finch, left, and Janelle Martin volunteer to help at the check-in area of the second "World's Largest Community Workout" this summer at KU's Shenk Fields.

Photo by Karrey Britt