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THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2014
arts & features
HOROSCOPES
Because the stars
know things we don't
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today is an 8
Establish and hold your position without fanfare. Work faster and make more money, but guard against breakage.
Keep a low profile, and keep it simple. Joy reigns.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today is a 9
Your luck is much better now.
Find a way around a mess
at work. Creative juices flow.
A distant friend contributes
ideas. Appreciate what you
have. The outcome is different
than expected... use whatever
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 7
You won't be given more than you can handle. Spend a bonus on a household improvement. Practice makes perfect.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today is a 6
You can work out a puzzle.
Handle priorities at home.
Assume leadership and manage a project. Ask family to help out.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Today is a 7
LEO July 23, 12.27
Today is a 7
Get news of an unexpected benefit. Write, record or film today and tomorrow. Don't do it all by yourself. Talk to your creative team. This is where your thriftiness pays off.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today is a 9
Look at the road directly ahead. Reconsider ideals as you reassess the situation. Context is decisive... choose one that serves well. Discover something of great value.
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Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today is a 9
Keep digging and find the clue you've been seeking. Work out your backup plan and avoid an awkward moment.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today is a 7
Discover solutions to puzzling
riddles while exercising or
meditating. Quiet time can
get quite productive. Let go
of worry about the future,
and take action on near-term
goals. Ensure that basics get
handled.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today is a 7
You're extra popular today and tomorrow. Don't blow up over small potatoes. You can crowdsource a solution...ask friends for suggestions. Invite them over for food, drinks and conversation. Call it a "focus group."
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today is a 7
Your reputation and influence are growing. Consult a wise friend. Obligations could hamper expansion. Re-appraise options. Provide leadership, especially today and tomorrow. Show up and do what needs to be done.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today is an 8
You'd love to take a trip... near has advantages over far. Save money by packing a lunch.
Keep promises, especially to young people.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today is a 7
Allow extra time for travel connections. Confer with a sensible person, and negotiate terms. You can get what you need. Allocate funds for a collaborative project. All the pieces haven't been located yet.
WIRED FOR SUCCESS
Former students invent gadgets for their startup company
ANDY NELSON
@UDK Nelson
Since December, former University students Sean Steppe and Stephen Vincent have worked together to create a new electronics startup called Lucid Labs based in Lawrence. The company's products are consistently in the top five selling products in the headphone accessory category on Amazon, and the company has sold products to buyers in 30 different countries.
"I really love being my own boss," Vincent said. "I get to choose what projects I work on, and I never get stuck working on projects that I have no interest in doing."
Since Steppe and Vincent both attended the University, they have connected with students and various vendors throughout the Lawrence area. Sean has been working with the Cave for the past few weeks, helping to improve their audio and lighting systems. Because of connections like this one, their company has seen steady business and growth.
Originally from Overland Park, Steppe took a break from college two years ago during his sophomore year. Recently, he has devoted his time to working on Lucid Labs. Steppe will be majoring in electrical engineering when he returns to the University this upcoming spring.
Vincent graduated in 2008 with degrees in business administration and mechanical engineering. He earned his Masters in mechanical engineering last June. As a Lawrence native, he is well-informed of the area, which he believes has helped Lucid Labs.
"It's been a dream, to make my living designing and making products that I find interesting." Vincent said.
The company now works mainly with lighting systems and audio devices like headphone amplifiers, which Vincent designed.The amplifiers are built into an Altoids tin and are plugged directly into any device with a headphone jack. The device delivers improved sound through any pair of headphones.
Austin Nelson, a sophomore from Sioux Falls, S.D., said he has never heard of the company, but he thinks the concept of a headphone amplifier is great. While he does not have any need for lighting systems, Nelson would be willing to support a company that was started by former students of the University.
Steppe said he was inspired
"It's been amazing to do what I love and am actually interested in."
SEAN STEPPE Lucid Labs co-creator
to create the company last year when he was running the lighting system for his friend's band, and the switchboard being used was not working the way the group wanted it to. Steppe created a program to take the place of the board altogether. Afterwards, he decided that the creation could sprout into a business.
Edited by Emily Brown
"It's been amazing to do what I love and am actually interested in," Steppe said. "And to turn that into a type of business has been great."
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ANNA WENNER /KANSAN
ANNA WENNER/KANSAN
Vincent shows the outside of the headphone amplifier that he and Steppe built. The amplifier is packaged like a tin of Altos mints
Stephen Vincent (left) and Sean Steppe show off the products that they've created for their startup company.
ANNA WFNNER/KANSAN
Vincent shows the inside of the headphone amplifier that he and Steppe built. Steppe and Vincent are co-creators of Lucid Labs, a startup company based in Lawrence that works with electronics.
Local artist captures city's spirit with portraits
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Oliver Hall, photographed by Rachael Perry, is a local writer and artist.
As a community-based artist, Rachael Perry seeks to find a way to pay homage to the people she has met in Lawrence. Each portrait she takes is different but ties together the big picture — Lawrence's ever-growing art scene and its importance in the community.
“[It] demonstrates that art is a vital and powerful force in creating community” Perry said. “...that there are a myriad of ways to be involved in the arts and that everyone has the ability to be an artist and find his or her community of support.”
Perry, a local University of Kansas alumni, organized this art project and takes all of the photographs herself. This project helps document the diverse art scene in Lawrence.
EMORY HALL
@emoryadair
Perry borrowed inspiration from the Inside Out Project, a large-scale global art project centered on strengthening community through black-and-white portraits of people. Think Humans of New York
RACHAEL PERRY Community-based artist
["It] demonstrates that art is a vital or powerful force in creating community."
The introductory statement of Lawrence Inside Out is "A new and fresh perspective
only grayscale and shot in a studio. Drawing inspiration from these sources. Perry was able to bring a big idea to a smaller city.
on the power of portraiture." Lawrence Inside Out functions on Facebook and is accessible to anyone who has an account. Perry pairs each photo with a caption containing a quote from the artist being photographed. While Perry primarily photographs local artists, in the future she plans to include KU art students in the project as well.
Perry will display the portraits with their captions in a large-scale exhibition this April. She also has plans to release a book with all of the portraits after the exhibition.
Aly Lange, a sophomore from Platte City, Mo., said that she loves how Lawrence Inside Out places an emphasis on local artists and how the thoughtful quotes help her connect with the person in the photo.
Edited by Emily Brown