It's Melvin Mania.

And.

Today's guests.

Mania.

Man, it's so good to be back Hey, Melvin.

it's so good to see you.

It feels like it's been We saw each other yesterday, Melvin.

We got lunch together.

Yeah, I'll just take one of everything.

we're not even at a restaurant.

Oh, yeah.

Anyway, I approach it, head to my desk.

I think we're pretty much done here.

Melvin.

Yeah.

Stella.

you got a box on your hair?

Thank you.

Stella.

Melvin, what's up with the box?

how I always Melvin.

Come on!

Okay, fine.

I'm wearing the box on my head because it's a super new fashion trend and a ton of people are doing it.

And I thought it looked good.

A new fashion trend.

Who else is wearing boxes on their head?

am.

You stay out of this, Melvin.

What's the real reason you're wearing the box?

you guys got me.

Why don't I just take off the box and show you both?

Does that sound good?

Sounds good to me.

It's time.

Melvin.

guys are right.

this is something I need to do.

There it is.

I'm not seeing anything.

Wait.

Really?

Oh, that's a huge relief.

Stella, can you play some celebration music?

As I head to my desk?

got it, Melvin.

Time to celebrate.

Are we just going to ignore the fact that Melvin had a box on his head at the start of this episode?

Steve-O.

I'm in a bit of a pickle right now, and I need some advice.

like we are.

What's up Well, I just recently had a new neighbor move in right next door to me, and I want to meet them, but I'm just kind of nervous.

you so nervous?

I'm just afraid I'm going to say the wrong thing.

And once I do that, they're going to want to move.

you need to be worried about them moving.

I mean, you're a great guy, but maybe you could find some ways to practice before you go in, introduce Oh, that's a great idea.

Steve-O, did you have anything in mind?

kind of putting me on the spot.

But what if you visited a different neighborhood and see how they welcome their new Oh, that's super smart, Steve-O.

And I remind you exactly what we're going for.

Local town on the ground.

Low cold down on the ground.

for today's local town on the ground, instead of visiting a town, we're visiting the neighborhood of Riverside and Wichita, Kansas.

It was founded in 1886 and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Wichita.

I do have a question.

Oh.

What's up Steve-O?

Well, with this local town, the ground taking place in a neighborhood instead of a town, does that mean this segment should be called local neighborhood?

On the ground for this episode?

Oh, that's a good point, Steve-O.

Let's try it.

Local neighborhood on the ground.

It definitely doesn't have the same flow.

Yeah, it's a little wordy.

I might know how to fix it.

Let me try one more time.

Local town on the ground, but this time we're going to a neighborhood, instead of going to, a town, we're going to Riverside.

So it's going to technically be, neighborhood this time instead of, town.

Man, I don't know, Steve-O.

I thought that was pretty good.

Yeah, I think I could use a few tweaks, but I think we're getting there.

probably right.

We'll keep working on it.

But in the meantime, let's head to Riverside.

Welcome to Riverside.

Let's head on in and chat with some people.

here I am with Rory from Riverside Leadership Magnet Elementary.

Now, Rory, before we start this interview, I might need you to just spell your name so we can put it on your lower third.

Can you go ahead and spell it for me?

Yeah.

I don't think we're going to need this microphone, so, you can go and take that.

All right.

Well, this is going to be an interesting interview, that's for sure.

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

Play at recess.

Yeah.

Reese, Stop that.

Reese, is.

I do have a question for you, Rory.

Why is Riverside called Riverside?

On the river.

Okay.

I'm a I'm following.

No.

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

I like to eat ice cream with my family and go to the keeper of the plants.

Okay.

Mr.

keeper of the Plains.

I'm getting, ice cream orders.

What can I get for you?

Okay.

Okay, I'll be right back.

All right.

Coming right up.

So I am curious, Roy, because obviously you haven't been a mascot forever.

What was your job before becoming the mascot for this school?

Okay, I'm just kind of seeing, like, you do look handsome.

What?

Do what a job would you need to be handsome Roy, were you a model?

I thought I recognized you.

Can you give me a few looks?

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

I'm going to practicing hanging out with my friends.

Oh, that sounds cool.

Do you mind if I come hang out, too?

Yeah.

You promise you're going to show up?

Yeah.

want pinky promise?

Yeah.

Hey, Remy.

I'm at the park.

The one you said you would meet me at.

You, if you if you remember, you pinky promise me, just wondering where you are.

So, Rory, I do need some advice.

I just had a neighbor moving right next door to me.

And because you're so involved with the Riverside neighborhood, I was wondering, do you have any advice to, help me meet my neighbor?

Okay.

I never thought about that one.

Really?

Okay.

That seems a little farfetched, but I could try it.

I just don't know.

Maybe not.

Okay, fine.

Okay.

You have.

You have convinced me.

I will do that.

Okay.

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

I like to go to the rock box with my mom.

Kindness rocks.

Take one home.

Leave one behind.

Each tiny stone connects humankind.

Well, that seems pretty simple.

Take one rock and leave one rock.

Now, Rory, I am a little curious because I've been asking a lot of the kids around Riverside.

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

Okay, so I'm seeing you waving your hands.

This is some sort of magic spell where, you know, you're like a kid.

Music.

Like listening to music and stuff like that around Riverside.

Gotcha.

Okay.

I'm gonna have to go do that.

Well, Rory likes to listen to music.

I like to make music.

Oh.

So, Rory, I have some pictures I would like to show you.

And I was hoping you could rank them.

Well, how many fingers you got?

Okay.

Eight between 1 and 8.

Here's the first one.

Microwave.

Three.

Yeah, I agree with you.

The microwave just isn't quite as good to cook and food as, as an oven.

Are you another man?

Yeah.

Me too.

You want to give me a high five for being oven guys?

what is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

Sometimes I like to walk or run around Manassa Park.

from the setting of the day.

I'm very calm person.

Yeah.

So I can tell, it's a great place.

Like nature.

It's just a beautiful place.

You have to try.

I want to go there right now.

Wow.

The trail in which Sean runs.

Incredible.

Well, before I start my run, I need to channel some good Sean energy.

Here we go.

Calmness.

it!

Come on.

You do.

You do what?

You.

You're good.

I do what I do.

Yeah.

Come There's another one.

Rory.

Two very cool cars.

An eight.

Come on, boy.

This is at least a ten.

And let me give you two of my fingers.

There we go.

That's better.

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

My favorite thing to do in Riverside is to go outside and play with my little sisters.

Be like playing with chalk, riding our scooters and looking for bugs.

Okay.

Chalk scooters.

Bugs.

Do I got that right?

Yep.

I got some chalk.

I got all the scooters behind me, and now I just need to find a bug.

Whoa.

That's one big bug.

Okay.

Rory, what do you think of this one?

Robot being interviewed.

Are we just going to do the robot?

Honestly, I was thinking this picture was a little more serious.

As a society, we have to realize that we can't just interview robots.

We got to interview humans, too.

And as our society grows and continues to evolve, I'm just nervous that What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

Me personally, I like to play badminton and hang out with my sister and my nieces, too.

Oh, interesting.

Badminton.

Have you ever heard a good bit in the.

No.

Well, we're about to find out.

What that is right now.

Well, there it is.

Good mitten.

You know, these cutaways, they don't have to be crazy sometimes.

It could just be me holding a a man that says good, but that's what good men is.

There's another one.

Rory.

Guys sneezing zero.

Rory.

He might just.

He might just got a little Dustin his nose.

Zero is where you're going with, though.

But he might be sick, though.

No, we don't really know this guy too well.

I think his name is Doug.

What is your favorite thing to do in Riverside?

Go to the park with my mom.

Oh, that sounds like fun.

Can I join you guys?

Yeah.

All right.

Are you ready to go to the park?

Who are you?

I'm Melvin.

Did you forget to tell your mom that I'm going to the park with you guys?

Yeah.

So, Rory, this interview has obviously been pretty quiet, which is good.

I'm really loud, so having someone that's a little quieter than me being my interviewee.

It's nice, but a lot of the kids have been asking me if you can roar, and I heard a rumor that you can.

So can you hit us with a roar before we head back to the studio, please?

Okay, okay.

Let me set the scene.

Let's put you in the jungle or the Sahara or wherever the lions live, I don't know.

All right, we're going to add some monkey noises in the background.

Okay, Rory, let's hear the roar.

Incredible.

What a fun time in Riverside.

Thank you.

Dog Roy the lion and all the kids for taking the time to chat.

What did you think, Stevo?

looked like a lot of fun, and it also seemed like Rory was full of great advice regarding your new neighbor.

Definitely.

Roy was super helpful, and while I think I'm pretty close to being ready to meet my new neighbor, I think there's a few more things I need to look into before I'm officially ready.

What did you have in mind?

for one, when I meet my new neighbor, I want them to feel welcome in our neighborhood and more importantly, a part of our community.

smart.

Do you have anyone in mind that could help you with I actually do none other than today's guest, Brad Richards.

Brad is the community programs coordinator on the Access and Engagement team at the Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center Brad's main focus is uplifting, connecting and facilitating conversations to communities all over Kansas.

Please help me in welcoming Brad to the show.

Man.

Just when I thought the TV couldn't get any cooler, they show up on a skateboard.

Just the coolest.

Welcome to the show, Brad.

Melvin.

Thanks for having So, Brad, I'm in a little bit of a predicament, and I was hoping you could help me out.

I just had a new neighbor move in next door, and I want them to feel welcome in our neighborhoods community.

But I don't know exactly how to do Well, that can be pretty intimidating.

It sounds like you're doing a lot of things that are outside of your comfort I know.

I usually like meeting new people, but for some reason this situation is just scaring me more than usual.

Okay.

Melvin.

I mean, someone can be scary, but making them feel welcome in your neighborhood and community is a great way to make them feel connected.

What do you mean by connected?

community, it's so important to find something that connects people together.

Or in other words, finding something that everyone has in I think that makes sense to me.

But can you give me an example?

I just want to make sure I'm following.

course.

Think about you, Stevo, Stella and Tim the timekeeper.

What do you all have in Well, we're all on Melvin mania.

Exactly.

Now think about everyone that you just visited in Riverside.

What do they have in common?

They all live in Riverside.

Melvin.

But now let's think about it on a bigger scale.

Think about everyone in Kansas or the US, or even the Earth.

Oh, I never thought of it that way.

Those would be some huge communities.

I mean, you can't get much bigger than the Earth, but they're all able to connect because they live in Kansas, the USA or Earth.

Joining a community or even starting a community can feel scary, but it's important to remember that we have more in common with the people around us than we might think.

Even if it's just the fact that we both live on Oh, I love that.

And it's such a cool way to think about meeting new people.

So Brad, you obviously have a lot of experience with this.

So I'm wondering with your job, how do you help communities you're involved with grow or even connect with other communities similar to theirs?

that communities come in all different sizes.

And in my work, I help facilitate conversations with different communities about how they can work together to solve some of their toughest challenges, that's so awesome.

And I love that no matter how many people you have in your community, you can always find so many ways for sure.

At the heart of every community is the connection we make with others.

And sometimes these connections can be really big or really small.

I'm planning on making big and small connections with so many people.

Now, Brad, before I let you go, I have one silly question.

And one serious question.

Which one do you want me to ask Let.

Let's do the silly one.

It's a tough one, but I know you'll be able to handle it.

Would you rather be able to speak every language or speak to animals and why?

well, that's a tough Oh, no.

I wanted to make sure it was a hard question.

answer your question, Melvin, I think I would want to speak every language.

And the reason why is because I connect with different communities.

But sometimes I come across a challenge where I don't speak the same language as many individuals.

And I think this will help me better understand these communities and better relate to people overall.

And that would be something Well, that's a great choice.

I would personally probably pick speaking to animals because I can tell my dog, Rupert, has had some deep thoughts recently, and I want to know what that dude is thinking about.

interesting.

Do you have any ideas on what he's thinking about?

guess of right now is that he's nervous that he didn't file his taxes correctly, but he's really good with his money and he's always balancing his checkbook.

So I would be really surprised if that was the Rupert is your dog, right?

are correct.

Anyway, are you ready for your serious Yeah.

Of course.

Let's hear it.

feel like I've talked a lot about the communities I'm involved with, so I want to know about the communities you're involved with and what you enjoy about them.

Most.

That's a great question, Melvin.

And when I think about it, I realize that I'm a part of a bunch of different communities.

I sit on a number of community committees, but then also, you know, I play basketball in my local rec league, and I have a team that is a community and I'm part of.

I'm also a student at Wichita State University.

And when I think about my classes or I think about my peers, or I think about the university as a whole, that is a community that I'm part of as well.

And what I enjoy the most is that they're all different, and they're all a part of who I am as a person.

so much, Bradford joining the show.

I look forward to connecting about more things we have in common very soon.

Sounds good.

Melvin.

I'll talk to you later.

good.

What a great conversation with Brad.

What did you think, Stevo?

I thought it was great.

And Brad just has so much insight.

So do you think you're ready to meet your neighbor now?

think so, but I want to do one more thing before I officially introduce myself.

Oh well what do you thinking.

thinking before I chat with my neighbor.

Maybe I should get some practice in with Lynne at the PBS Kansas Oceanography Children's Education Discovery How are you planning on practicing?

I don't really know, but I bet Lynne would think of something.

I don't know.

Lynn doesn't know we're coming over to the art center, but she always love seeing me, so I don't think it's going to be that big of a deal.

Hey, Lynn.

Hi, Melvin.

So, I need some help and some practice with something.

I had a neighbor just recently moved in, and I need some practice getting to know my neighbor, so, Okay.

You seem like the perfect person to ask about that.

And I thought you maybe would have some way to help me practice.

I would love to do that.

So, do you want some ideas for how kids make friends here?

Yeah, absolutely.

Okay.

Well, this is a fun idea.

They love building together, and then they can, build a great structure and get to know each other and become friends.

Would you like to try that?

Oh, that was your first idea.

You have the dome.

That's brilliant.

Yeah, let's do that.

All right.

I'll meet you out there.

Okay.

Sounds great.

Okay.

Sounds good.

So then, as you were saying in your office, you told me that a lot of people, meet each other at the arts and or by, working together and building stuff.

Right?

That is right.

That's how they become friends.

That's how they become friends.

The only problem with this is we already know each other.

We're very good friends.

We are good friends.

You're right.

So to make this work better.

Let's pretend like we don't know each other, okay?

So we can build and work together, but we won't know each other.

got to put on your acting hat.

I got it.

Okay.

I'm putting on mine.

I already got mine on, you know.

Okay.

And I'm going to I'm going to stand over here and I'm going to walk into the end zone, and we're just gonna pretend like this is the first time we ever met, and then we'll build and work together because going to be friends and neighbors in this situation.

That sounds good.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Doop doop doop doop doop doop.

Oh, wow.

What an incredible education center.

Oh, I'm glad that you like it.

Is this your first time?

Yep.

My name is Melvin.

What's your name?

Oh, my name is Lynn.

Nice to meet you.

Very nice to meet you.

That's a beautiful name.

What's your last name?

Wolf.

Wolf?

Oh, that's a very cool name.

And then you're doing such a good job.

Thank you.

You're doing a really good job there.

It's super good.

Thank you.

Anyway, I'm new to town, and I'm new to this area, and I'm wanting to meet some new friends, and, don't know, is there anything here, like, in this education center we could, like, do together?

Like together for fun or.

Yeah, well, there are a lot of things to do together, but one of the favorite things in the Ed Center is our visitors love to build together.

What can we build with learn?

Well, they love blocks, and they really love these blocks that look like they're made of real wood.

Now, is we just met?

Learn?

I think it maybe let's, build something pretty simple at first.

Okay.

Let's not do anything too complicated.

So a lot of times what our friends build with is we pull out, blueprints.

an a blueprint is just an idea of what to build together.

So, like you said.

Well, starts easy.

So blocks two blocks will start with a square.

And then we'll we'll add a triangle on top.

Oh that's a beautiful house.

Yeah.

and sing.

Very good.

Learn.

That was fantastic.

We built something, and, let's say I left the art center, so I looked away, okay?

And then I'm coming back the next day.

Here we go.

Vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom.

Hey, Lynn, it's so nice to see you again.

Welcome back.

Thank you for having me again.

I just thought I would come back I had so much fun building stuff and working together that I just wanted to do it again.

What are we building today, Lynn?

so again, we have our blueprint and we have some different shapes today.

So I will get us started.

So we'll start with a square.

I'm just going to watch this one.

You're going to watch okay.

Okay.

Let me move it over here so you can get a good look at it.

actually here.

Let me see the blueprints.

Okay.

You're doing a great job.

Okay.

Very good.

I'm going to kind of just supervise okay.

And then you see on the blueprint there's two cylinders.

Okay.

So I did that one.

And then we're going to have a smaller rectangle on top.

So we did work together.

You help me with the instructions.

The instructions.

First I wasn't going to help.

But then I said I'll do the instructions.

Yeah we destroy it now if you want.

Sure.

Go ahead.

Okay, here we go.

All righty then.

I'm going to be going to head out for the day.

Okay.

I'll probably see you tomorrow to build one more thing.

I will be ready for you.

All right.

And.

Okay.

Here we go.

Was all right then.

I'm just riding my unicycle.

Let me get rid of that real fast.

Lynn.

Three days in a row.

I love it.

Thanks for coming back.

We are officially best friends, it seems like.

Yeah.

Feels like I've known you forever.

And as you know, I've known you for quite a while.

We worked on 12 ammonia together.

yesterday, you help me with the instructions.

Would you like to do that again with the blueprints?

I want to do the bottom part.

So the first shape I will put right by you, that's just a longer rectangle.

Looks good.

Very well-made.

And then we have two shorter rectangles.

So I'll put this if you can help me straighten this one up.

Can do that.

Yep.

Okay.

And then we're going to go ahead and do another rectangle.

Now I will work on the blueprints okay I'll be showing the camera guys the blueprints.

Well, maybe you want to show them again.

this is what we're working with.

Pallets.

It's pretty tough, but going to make it through this one.

let's work on balancing okay.

And our visitors love to build tall towers I might add some extra instructions to this.

I think probably put this next one on the little silly.

Little silly.

We just like do a little dance when you do it.

Oh, I thought you meant to do it.

All right.

I thought you might do it, sideways.

Okay.

No, no, no, just like, there we go.

Stick to the blueprint.

That's right, that's right.

Okay, so now we have the triangle on top.

So this is a really a super cool house.

this has been super fun.

And, I think my favorite part about this is that we work together and we build stuff together.

And it's a good it's a good example that you don't even have to know.

So I mean, obviously we know each other, right?

But you don't have to know someone to build something to work together and be a community.

No, you just take turns and you just help each other out, and then you can build something great together.

All right, then I think you should destroy this one.

All right.

Down.

And then I'm going to head back to the studio.

Okay, well, stand back a little bit.

I don't want to get you.

And one, two, three.

Thanks, Lynn.

Man.

What a fun time in the edX center learning how to build and work together.

after all of that, are you ready to meet your neighbor I think so.

Do I look okay?

think you look great, but maybe you should put the box back on your head.

A box.

What are you talking about?

Steve-O?

the box you wore at the beginning of the episode?

I feel like I'm going crazy.

Does.

Does anyone remember the box?

remember the box.

You know what?

Let's, Let's just move on.

Melvin, you look great.

And I think it's time to meet your new neighbor.

Where are you planning on meeting them?

first I thought maybe I should just go and knock on the door, but I thought maybe instead of that, I could invite them on the show.

Oh, well, this should be interesting.

I thought so too.

So please help me in welcoming my new neighbor that just moved in right next to me.

Cat.

Dash.

Dash is a drawing that was sent to him by one of our viewers to put in our creative box.

And if you're interested in having your drawing video on the show, you can email us at melvin@kpt.org.

Cat Dash was sent in by Jeremy from Wichita.

Hello, Cat.

Dash.

Welcome to the show.

here.

I'm sorry, but do I know you?

Oh my bad.

My name is Melvin and I live right next door to you.

always happy to meet a neighbor.

Now, what direction is your house?

Located from my house.

Well, I live right next door to you, but the exact geographic directions from my house to yours is West.

Wow, that's really cool.

Yeah.

It is.

I, Well, anyway, Oh, man.

What do I say next?

This is so awkward.

Why can't I why can't I think of anything to say?

Thank you.

Melvin.

Thank.

This is definitely a different way to meet my neighbor, but Melvin seems like a great guy, so I'm looking forward to learning more about him.

Come on, Melvin, think about what Roy told you.

That's not helpful at all.

What about Lin?

No.

He sure has been quiet for a while, but I bet he's just thinking of the perfect thing to say.

Thank you.

Melvin.

Think.

Oh, Brad was.

I think Brad said.

At the heart of every community is the connection we make with others.

And sometimes these connections can be really big or really small.

really big or really small.

That's it.

Cactus.

Do you like French fries?

fries.

I love Oh.

Me too.

My favorite kind is.

Wait, let me see if I can guess.

Curly fries Yes.

How did you know?

it's my favorite two.

Wait.

Hold up.

Really?

Well, should we, should we go get some now?

Sure.

But do you need a wrap up?

Anything No, it's all good.

I leave and do random stuff all the time, so the crew is pretty used to it.

Let's go get some curly fries.

Like.

You can't eat.

Well, look who it is.

It's Tim, the timekeeper.

Hey, Melvin.

How'd the show Oh, it went super well.

And you'll be happy to know that you're now part of a community.

Tim.

What community?

The Melvin mania community.

That's awesome.

Well, it's me, Stevo, Stella.

And you.

I can't think of a better community I would want to be a That's what I thought, too.

Anyway, I think it's about that time.

Shall we wrap up the show?

Tim?

Let's do it.

It's time to end the show.

We want to see you go.

We really have to say we have the perfect day.

All right, send the chorus now.

You're right.

Melvin mania.

Melvin mania.

Inside time.

It's time to go.

You're at Melvin Mania now.

In mania.

It's time.

It's time to go.

It's time to say goodbye.

I think I might just cry.

For Melvin and the crew.

It's time to say I do.

That means goodbye.

You're at Melvin mania.

Melvin mania.

It's time to say goodbye.

You're at Melvin mania.

Melvin radio.

It's time to say goodbye.

All right, well, I'll see you in the next episode.

Bye bye.