Wednesday, March 15, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 7
Products for Mac Microsoft Internet Explorer
KU partygoers, search no more
By BriAnne Hess
by BRAINNE Hess
writer @kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The search for the elusive drink special has ended
Scott Bideau, Chamute junior, designed the Web site, www.partykpu.com, that browsers could keep informed about daily drink specials, upcoming parties, drinking games, alcoholic recipes and tips on drinking responsibly.
Bideau got the idea for the site from www.drinkspecials.com, a national drink-special locator.
Bideau said because he already designed Web pages for his part-time business, Impact Web Media, the Web site didn't cost him; he already had the tools and the expertise to design a site.
"So far I support it by myself because it's a good idea, and I learn about the specials," Bideau said. "It could be a potential moneymaker, but I would like it to be a free service."
He said designing the site took between 20 and 30 hours but that upkeep on the site only required an hour or two a week.
"It's basically a self-contained Web site," Bideau said. "I validate the parties that are posted and update the drink specials."
Talena Humphrey, general manager of J.B. Stout's Sports Bar and Grill, 721 Wakarusa Drive, said she thought that the opportunity to reach several students with drink specials was great.
"We'd even be willing to pay for it because I think students will really utilize it." Humphrey said.
A majority of the site requires reader contributions and feedback. The do-it-yourself section lists reader-submitted alcoholic drink recipes and drinking games. Browsers can vote on their favorite drinks, which could make the top 25 list.
Corey Snyder, Topeka junior, recently won a contest on the Web site by e-mailing more people about the site than anyone else.
He said he won a bar tab to the Jet Lag Lounge, 610 Florida St., but the deal fell through so he said he might get V.I.P. tickets to Jack Flanigans Bar and Grille, 806 West 24th St.
Snyder said he typically checked the drink specials the night he and his friends went out.
"I think it gives students a good way to communicate," Snyer said.
Snyder said that he also had looked at the drink recipes and responsible drinking section in the site and thought both sites contained helpful information.
Bideau said that building the site and getting recognition were happening slowly. After he distributed flyers almost a month ago, the number of unique hits on the site rose from an average of 1,300 to 1,400 visitors a week to 1,800 visitors a week, he said.
Power bead bracelets encircle many wrists
Power bead bracelets are said to improve mental and physical well-being, heighten intelligence, lend prosperity, wealth and numerous other traits.
By Lindsay Shipman Special to the Kansan
And as one of today's biggest fashion trends, they can be spotted on many University of Kansas students.
Alexis Loya, Kansas City, Kan, freshman, worked in a Kansas City store that sold the bracelets. She said the bracelets were most popular during the holiday season.
"One lady came up to the counter looking for the power beads; she wanted all of them," Loya said. "I think people get too serious about them."
The original idea of the power bead bracelet was created by designer Zoe Metro, according to Self magazine. The bracelets are based on the powers derived from crystals and other stones.
According to Self, Metro came up with the idea while she was watching a man on the subway who was searching through a bag of hundreds of fortune cookies, and she realized how much people needed hope.
Metro originally came up with 10 different bracelets. Rose quartz, which nurtures relationships and romance; tiger's eye, which nurtures creativity; jade, which nurtures success; mother-of-pearl, which attracts money; rock crystal, which nurtures strength; hematite, which wards off bad moods and depres
sion; amethyst, which stimulates intelligence; turquoise, which promotes better health; a wooden praying Buddha, which creates harmony in life; and a wooden Chinese charm, which brings good luck.
Other colors and powers have also been created. Blue cat's eye for happiness, red onyx for stress relief, camelian for PMS and rejuvenation, and many others.
However, many students said they didn't buy into the idea that the bracelets actually had powers.
Elizabeth McCoy, Pittsburgh sophomore, bought a blue bracelet and a green one for $5 at a mall in New York.
"I usually don't go for trendy things,
but I thought they were cute," McCoy said.
"I didn't pick them for what they mean,
just I liked the colors."
Holly Wilson, Nickerson sophomore, also wears power beads. She received an amethyst bracelet as a present. Later, she bought herself a wooden one.
"They're incredibly faddish, but they're kind of nice." Wilson said.
But Vivian Le. Lemex freshman, doesn't like the bracelets at all.
Like McCoy, Wilson doesn't know the power of her bracelets; she just thought they added a nice touch to her wardrobe.
"I think they're a waste of money," she said.
Le said she thought the idea of the power head bracelet was a rinoff.
She said her grandmother, a Buddhist, has had a bracelet similar to the power bead bracelets for years and she used her bracelet for prayer.
New Queers and Allies liaison has big plans for University
By Kimberly Thompson Special to the Kansan
Although David Hardy began his job as the University of Kansas' Lesbian Bisexual Gay and Transgender liaison about a month and a half ago, he already has a long list of projects he wants to complete.
"I'm going to go to town," Hardy said, a 1983 KU graduate with a joint MBA and law degree
One of Hardy's projects involves asking gay alumni for donations. He would like to raise enough money either to find a location for a new Rainbow Center, a place where gay students could meet and have programs, or to start a program in queer studies.
Lesbian Bisexual Gay and Transgender liaison, David Hardy, right, sits at his computer while his administrative assistant, Brad Badger, jokes about computer problems. Hardy and Badger share office space as well as a teamwork-oriented work relationship. Photo by Nick Krug/KANSAN
Hardy also would like to hold a conference that would bring all Big 12 student groups similar to KU Queers and Allies to the University. This would be a big project, he said, because it would take two years to get off the ground.
As a University employee, Hardy also is working on updating handouts and the KU Queens and Allies' Web site, revising a course guide on gay-friendly classes, bringing back the Ally Award, and adding an ally addition to The Vanguard, the organization's newsletter.
Mainly, Hardy said, he didn't want to get in Queers and Allies' way. He said he'd rather be a guide on the side.
"This is a position that can assist," he said. "If they want ideas or they want help, I'm here."
Hardy's job was originally a research position, but now his main focus is to be a liaison between Queens and Allies and the University.
"I've got a good student group to work with," he said.
He said that members of Queers and Allies had been working with transgender issues and violence in the queer community.
Gary Bartholomew, Queers and Allies events coordinator and Monroeton, Pa., junior, said Hardy fostered a progressive attitude and seemed very concerned with queer issues at the University.
"I personally expect him to be there to help steer our group toward our goals," he said.
As an undergraduate student at the University, Hardy was the support group chairman and the office manager for the group that is now called Queens and Allies.
After graduating from the University, Hardy worked at the Department of Defense in Leavenworth, did mediation work in Cincinnati and contract
work in Ohio.
Hardy said Lawrence and the University were good places for the organization because the area always had been queer-friendly.
"I've lived in Kansas most of my life," he said. "This is a conservative environment, but it's not the worst. KU is a liberal island in a sea of hostility."