6A • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
FRIDAY,MAR.1,2002
Student offers technology advice to children nationwide
AABON LERNER KANSAN
Lee Hornbrook, project director of 4Kids.org (left) and Amy Schimmel, Lawrence freshman and columnist for the Web site, sit in their JRP office where all of their work is conducted. Since age 14, Amy has been working on the site, which was created to provide safe links on the web for children.
By Adam Pracht Kansan staff writer
When Amy Schimmel was in sixth grade at Deerfield Elementary School, people with questions about computers got a standard response: "Go ask Amy."
Today Schimmel, Lawrence freshman, still answers kids' questions about computers and the Internet in a weekly column called "Ask Amy." Schimmel's column is part of www.4kids.org, a weekly feature created at the University of Kansas and published in 80 newspapers worldwide on the Internet.
The feature, which is created by the University and Lawrencea high school students, offers safe Web sites for children, discussion forums and trivia quizzes. Schimmel works as the assistant production manager for the publication.
She said the feature tried to make education fun for children.
"There will forever be a need for knowledge," Schimmel said. "There will forever be a need for something that's going to attract the attention of children and get them excited about learning."
Jerry Chaffin, Frank Carey and Paul Tangen created kids.org at the University in 1994. The project was financed by a federal grant in 1995 to provide interesting and educational sites for children on the Internet. A year later, newspapers began to run the feature.
Chaffin is a professor of education, Carey is director of tech-
notogy in education and Tangen was a KU administrator.
The three heard about Schimmel's reputation as a technology whiz and decided to name the column after her, even though Carey wrote the piece. But Schimmel didn't know about the piece until 1998 when the three offered her a position on the staff.
At the time, Schimmel was the
youngest person ever hired by the University. The Lawrence resident was 14 years old.
After working for 4kids.org for two years, Schimmel wrote for the column bearing her name for the first time.
She said at first she was nervous about writing the "Ask Amy" column, but she has gradually gained confidence in her work for 4kids.org.
Lee Hornbrook, project director of 4kids.org, said he tried to get Schimmel more involved in the production of the feature.
"It's now become that I can't do this job without Amy," he said. "She's just an incredible presence at 4kids."
Hornbrook said kids.org was unique because it was created by students who were at an age level close to their audience.
"I think it's a point of pride for KU students to know this one-of-a-kind newspaper feature is housed here at KU and produced by their own," he said.
Contact Pracht at aprecht@kansan.com. This story was edited by Kyle Ramsey.
Contact Pracht at
Vote clears way for more education spending
TOPEKA — Senators yesterday approved an increase in education spending, despite concerns that the state lacks the $12 million to pay for it.
Gov. Bill Graves proposed the increase in January and tied it to his plan for $228 million in tax increases. The Senate Education
The vote was 31-7. The proposed $20 per-pupil increase in state aid for public schools went to the House.
The Associated Press
Committee endorsed the bill without specifying a source for the extra money.
During a debate on the bill Wednesday, the Senate rejected a motion to return the bill to committee until the state's revenue forecast is updated March 8.
The most recent forecast indicated a $426 million gap between expected revenue and required spending in the fiscal year that starts July 1. Many expect the gap to approach $600 million with the new forecast.
Some senators said passing the funding bill would commit the state to something it could not pay for.
"This would send a false expectation to our school districts that we can find that money in the budget," said Sen. Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, chairman of the Wavs and Means Committee.
One supporter, Sen. Christine Downey, said the measure gave the Senate a chance to make a statement about education as a priority.
"Supporting this bill would
show some of us aren't afraid to step up to the plate and that we are willing to go out and find the funding sources," said Downey, D-Newton.
But Sen. Tim Huelskamp called the bill irresponsible.
"Thank goodness we can't print our own money in Kansas, because it would be happening on the Senate floor," said Huelskamp, R-Fowler. "You can't spend money we don't have. It is very irresponsible and very misleading."
KEGS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
manager at Alvin's, 905 Iowa,
said selling kegs required a lot of
freezer space and equipment.
Alvin Schmitberger, owner of Alvin's, said the store had at least $12,500 tied up in inventory costs and electric bills when it carried 100 kegs.
Alvin's requires a $30 deposit for keg shells and $40 for a tap. Purchasers may keep the tap or keg shell until they finish their beer, but the store keeps the deposit.
Mindie Dodson, owner of Dodson's liquor, 846 Illinois St., said she charged a $60 cash-only deposit for barrel, tap and keg shell and also allowed customers to keep the shell until they were ready to trade it in for their deposits.
Chad Philhour, an employee at Myer's Retail Liquor, 902 W. 23rd St., recommends that customers plan ahead and secure a key early.
"You never know if the beer you want will be available if it's going to be a busy weekend," he said.
Myers requires an equipment deposit of $35 for a tap, $35 for a barrel, and $15 for a keg shell.
It requires more than money, though, to rent a keg.
Despite the paperwork, cost of deposit and responsibility of purchasing a keg, many students such as Keegan Larson still throw keeg parties
"I feel that we just need to get people to come out and enjoy the finer side of college life," he said.
The state of Kansas charges an enforcement tax of 8 percent for keg sales instead of sales tax. Some forms must be filled out at the time of purchase with the buyer's name, address and phone number.
Contact the Shuman at mshu-
man@kansan.com. This story
was edited by Gillian Titus.
REGISTRATION
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, is the sponsor of the bill, and said a group of parents came to him with concerns.
"The group of parents asked for my help by coming up with an ordinance that would lower the number of underage drinkers in Emporia," Barnett said.
The old bill was changed so the retailer became less liable if someone of legal age purchased a keg and then furnished it to a minor illegally.
Some owners of local liquor stores said they thought the bill was a good idea.
"I don't think this new bill will affect the keg sales because there are a lot of responsible beer drinkers in this town," said Alvin Schmitberger, owner of Alvin's Wine and Liquors at 905 Iowa.
Schmitberger said he was unsure about the bill's effectiveness.
"I'm all for the state to stop teenage drinking, but this won't stop some people from buying
the 30 packs instead," he said.
Mindie Dodson, owner of Dodson's Liquor Store at 846 Illinois, agrees with Schmitberger, but said she thought other measures should be taken to prevent underage drinking.
"I understand what the state is trying to do, but I think a better use of money would be a tool for retail liquor stores to use for spotting fake I.D.s," she said.
Legislators haven't considered adding this to the bill, but are looking at other measures.
Brian Burke, Leawood senior and manager of Myers Liquor Store, 902 W. 23rd St., said he thought liquor stores were keen to the use of fake IDs.
"I think we are all trained on what to look for in fake IDs, but this bill will scare those using them away, and turn them onto buying cases instead," Burke said.
Contact Carr at mcarr@kansan.com This story was edited by Gillian Titus.
Red Lyon Tavern
944 Mass. 832-8228
A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
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