Fridav. February 25, 2000 The University Daily Kansan Section A ยท Page 7 Students thrown in jail for charity Old Chicago holds event to raise funds for muscle disease By Jess Meyer writer@kanson.com Kanson staff writer Several KU students were sent to fall yesterday. About 340 Lawrence residents and KU students volunteered to be thrown in a make-shift jail at Old Chicago, 2329 Iowa St., Wednesday and yesterday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The jailbirds were given cellular phones and asked to call as many people as they could and collect donations during their one-hour sentences. Matt McGuire, Lawrence junior and Kappa Sigma fraternity member, said he thought the lock-up was a great way to get people involved with a good cause. "I think it's really important to associate with people in the community," McGuire said. "And there is no reason not to do it." Susan Garrett, Springfield, Mo., junior and Alpha Chi Omega sorority member, agreed. "It sounded like a fun thing to do," she said. "I think it's a good cause and a good thing to devote my time to." When the volunteers arrived at the restaurant, MDA coordinators took their mug shots and threw them in jail for an hour. The goal MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY DONATIONS $20 provides an annual flu shot for one person. $37 finances one minute of research $77 fulfills all volunteer $7/ covers a follow-up clinic visit $100 funds a support group session Katie Ellena, Lawrence freshman, and Jenny Robb, Newton freshman, turn in pledge sheets to Jennifer Keller, Muscular Dystrophy Association coordinator at Old Chicago, 2329 Iowa St., on Wednesday. About 340 Lawrence residents and KU students participated in the fund-raiser. Photo by Justin Schmidt/KANSAN $400 sends a child to MDA summer cramp.pk a week. $ 1,700 goes toward the purchase of a wheelchair or a set of leg braces Source: MDA brochure was to raise as much money as possible in the hour to pay the "bail" money needed to be released, said Paul Blood, district director for MDA, which is a national voluntary health agency financed by private, individual contributors. The money raised at the lock-up will assist local children and adults with muscular dystrophy, Blood said. The total amount of money raised had not been tallied. "Our main goal is to raise money to provide services for people with any of 40 different neuromuscular problems," Blood said. "Last year's lockup raised about $35,000 and we hope to reach that and more this year." All of the money raised will go to the Missouri Valley chapter of MDA, which serves 24 counties in Missouri and 13 counties in Kansas, Blood said. Some volunteers were able to collect donations prior to the event and others called from inside the restaurant. "It is good to help people less fortune and give back to the community," said Ruth Yorke, Overland P sophomore and co- community service chairwoman for Alpha Chi Omega. "They do so much for us and it's easy for people to get out and do." Vincent Piscotta, manager of Old Chicago, said the restaurant provided pizza, beverages, appetizers and the building to the cause. "They approached us about holding it, and since we have the facilities, we are willing to help them out." Pisciclou said. "It is a good cause that draws people from all over the place." The volunteer who raised the most money that was more than $1,000 received an evening for two at the New Theatre Restaurant, 9229 Foster St., in Overland Park. That prize will be given after all the donations are totaled. For more information about MDA or to make a contact, contact the Missouri Valley chapter of the MDA at (913) 859-0632. Road trip inspires novel by former student By BriAnne Hess Kyle Ramsey / KANSAN writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer Chet Nichols, who attended the University of Kansas from 1967 to 1970, revisited life on the road in his latest novel, The Last Riders of Route 66. Nichols said the novel was based on a trip that he and a friend took in spring of 1967 because they were not getting along with their parents. When they heard Route 66 โ€” a highway from Chicago to Los Angeles โ€” was being turned into an interstate, they decided to hitchhike the route to California. "The story had been percolating in my brain for awhile, but I wrote the book in three months with probably 30 rewrites." Nichols said. He said the story was about the coming of age of two men who had an epiphany on the trip and returned home with direction in their lives. "They have to address a lot of their own attitudes and how they mesh in the real world as opposed to in their heads," Nichols said. Nichols said some of the characters in the novel were fairly true to form with people he met during his trip. He said he used creative license to produce other characters who epitomized the attitudes and conflicts of the times. Nichols described the tumult in the late-60s as a mental civil war. "Our trip was somewhat more subdued than the novel, but I had to be true to the times because there was a revolution going on," Nichols said. Nichols said that the thrill of hitchhiking was not something he would recommend in today's society. "I couldn't do it now," he said. "You'd have to be cautious and take precautions. Back then it was OK." Wayne Propst, 1971 graduate, said he took a lot of road trips in the '60s, but most of them were in someone's car, not hitchhiking. He said Route 66 wasn't really famous until it was closed. Propist said that even though hitching wasn't really an option anymore, most young people wouldn't take road trips because it took too much knowledge and imagination. He recalled a time on the road when the water pump burst in his car. He said he and his road companion walked into town, bought a water pump and installed it themselves. "There's not the same desire to get out and see the road," Propst said. "They don't have any imagination. They all fly to Cancun. Why put up a tent when you can call room service?" Barry Shank, associate professor of American studies, said the pull of the road was still a powerful one for college students because they still were surrounded by others' expectations and stereotypes. He said that Chet Nichols has written The Last Riders of Route 66. He attended the University from 1967 to 1970. Contributed photo being on the road let students abandon their jobs, classes and other responsibilities. "It does require risk, but the idea of being on the road is throwing all of that aside," Shank said. "As a society, we'd be better off if more people did it." Nichols' novel was released on Christmas Eve. The bookstores in town do not have the novel in stock, but Nichols said it was for sale online. Kansan Coupons GET AN EDUCATION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. Join Air Force ROTC, and you may be eligible to compete for different scholarship programs that help pay for your college education. You'll also learn that your whole career will benefit from this one elective. AIRFORCE ROTC Call Captain Erich Schroeder at 864-4676 Sonic Drive-In is now hiring for positions on day or night shift. Must be energetic, motivated,and have a positive attitude. Flexible scheduling, various crew incentives like referral bonuses, straight "a" bonuses. Pay based strictly on performance and attendance. Interested? Pick up an application at 3201 W 6th St., Lawrence (2 blocks west of Dillon's 6th & Lawrence Ave.) or 1015 E. 23rd., Lawrence (1/2 E of 23rd & Haskell) SONIC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Who wants to be a paleontologist Ready to join us? Need more information? Contact the coordinator af (785) 864-3865 or vrtpaleo@ukans.edu. Maybe you do. And this is your chance โ€” if you're a careful, conscientious worker waiting to get your hands on some dinosaurs. The University of Kansas Natural History Museum needs committed volunteers to help prepare Camarasaur fossils excavated during recent digs. We'll train the right volunteers who can join us to work toward an eventual exhibit and to groundbreaking research on these spectacular specimens. There are regular preparation sessions Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteer on Saturdays and we'll even give you a great snack from Great Harvest Bread Co. and La Prima Tazza.