FRIDAY,AUGUST30,2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Bands juggle studies, music Politicians seek students to assist in campaigns
John Nowak/Kansan
Members of the band Salt the Earth pack their gear into their travel bus in preparation for a weekend out-of-town gig. Full time students who double as working musicians often find it challenging to make time for both.
While most University of Kansas students were making their way through the second day of the new semester, the three members of Ghosty were holed up in a Lincoln, Neb., recording studio, laying down new tracks for an upcoming album.
"This summer we worked on demos and now we're all skipping our second day of class to record," Andrew Connor, Sloux Falls, S.D., senior and guitarist for Ghosty, said. "It's probably not the best note to start a new semester on."
Aside from Ghosty, Connor also has two jobs, a weekly show on KJHK 90.7 and a full class schedule. This roster of duties doesn't afford Connor much free time, but he has found his creativity increasing with his productivity.
"It itens the busier I am, the more I get done," Connor said. "I like to be busy."
Ghosty drummer Richard Gintowt and bassist Jacob Baum are also full-time KU students. Gintowt jugges school, the band and his responsibilities as KJHK's music director.
Connor, a music major, is dedicated to his music, but looks forward to life after college.
"I've always said music is my first priority above school," Connor said, "but I want to finish school in four years and be independent after that."
While Ghosty was tweaking its sound in Nebraska, members of the local band Salt the Earth were in a yellow van packed with gear making their way to St. Louis, Mo.
For Salt the Earth, a quartet described as "post-hardcore," the show in St. Louis will be just like any other gig, except for one detail: three of the four members need to be back in Lawrence for class on Monday morning. Matthew Morgus, St. Louis, Mo., junior; Nick Knutsen, Overland Park junior; and Nick Haxton, Leavenworth sophomore are all KU students who juggle their education, part-time jobs and rock 'n' roll.
"Finding time to practice and write is pretty tough."
Nick Knussen
Salt the Earth guitarist
"Finding time to practice and write is pretty tough," Knutsen, a full-time student and Salt the Earth's guitarist, said.
Presented with less noisefriendly neighbors, Salt the Earth found that weekend social hours were the only times they could practice without causing neighborhood unrest.
"We'll be practicing on Friday and Saturday nights when the rest of the college kids are out partying." Morgus, a student and Salt the Earth's bassist, said.
The band members decided to make the band their first priority, with school coming in a close second. The band took spring semester off to take its show on the road.
Morgus said that life on the road might have jeopardized their studies, but it was a risk they were willing to take.
"We're on our own and if we make it, we make it." Morgus said. "If we don't, we don't."
Now signed to Anxiety Records, Salt the Earth toured this summer and appeared on the Vans Warped Tour. The band's recording is reportedly going into its second pressing and is available on the band's web site, salttheearth.com.
Overland Park junior Joe Noel might put this list of multitaskers to shame. Noel plays drums in two local bands: Hook and Ladder, formerly Camarosmith, and This Building Is Cursed. Noel splits his weekdays between classes at KU and the Johnson County Community College. Besides performing and studying, Noel spends 25 to 30 hours every week delivering pizza.
"Getting a lot done feels good," Noel said. "When you finish recording something or finish playing a good show, that's a great feeling."
Contact Vennard at mvennand @kansan.com. This story was edited by Nicole Roche.
By Michael Vennard Kansan staff writer
State and local political candidates are turning to students to fill the ranks of their campaign staffs for the 2002 election season.
Republicans and Democrats traditionally look to campus political organizations to organize student involvement in their campaigns. Both Adam Taff, the Republican nominee for Kansas' 3rd district U.S. House of Representatives seat, and Democratic incumbent Dennis Moore met with KU student groups in an attempt to recruit volunteers.
Julia Gilmore Gaughan, a Douglas County field coordinator for the Kansas Democratic party's Coordinated Campaign, said students were ideal for involvement because they had more energy, idealism and time
that they could commit to campaigns.
"They can really rejuvenate a campaign and bring a certain energy," Gaughan said.
Gaughan said interested students had a variety of options including paid and volunteer positions.
"It really depends on their level of commitment," Gaughan said. "Canvassers get paid seven dollars an hour to go door-to-door getting information out about the Democratic candidates. We also register voters for the Get Out the Vote drive."
Erin Blocher, Lawrence senior and Taff campaign volunteer, said her campaign duties included dispersing campaign literature around Douglas County and calling voters to discuss the issues.
campaign for governor.
"Probably what I've learned the most about is getting out and advocating what you believe in: putting into action the ideas and goals that you want to have accomplished," he said.
Gaughan said that students involved in campaigns would likely learn and grow from the experience.
"I think that becoming involved in a campaign during these formative years is a good way to start a life as an active citizen. I think that with the skills you learn from campaigns, like attention to detail and the willingness to talk to people about the issues, help you become a more educated citizen," Gaughan said.
Contact Vennard at mvennand @kansan.com. This story was edited by Andrew Vaupel.
Hillel to host shabbat dinner
By Aaron Passman Kansan staff writer
Jay Lewis has high hopes for KU Hillel and the University of Kansas Jewish community.
"We want Hillel to really be a community and be people's home away from home," said Lewis, executive director for Hillel.
Hillel will host their first Shabbat dinner this year at 6:15 tonight at KU Hillel House, 940 Mississippi. Shabbat is the Jewish sabbath that lasts from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Admission to tonight's dinner is $5 at the door.
"We want Hillel to really be a community and be people's home away from home." Jay Lewis
Tony Jacobson, Lawrence non-traditional senior, is a Hillel volunteer and recently decided to make the whole kitchen at Hillel kosher. Keeping kosher is a set of dietary laws kept by some sects
executive director for Hillel
of Judaism. The mixing of dairy and meat products and eating pork is forbidden in kosher dietary laws.
"It's a little more expensive to keep the kitchen kosher, but we're able to include everyone this way," said Jacobson, also Hillel's chef.
Jacobson said the meal will be a traditional Shabbat dinner with smoked chicken from the barbecue, chicken soup, sweet kugel (a traditional Jewish noodle dish), vegetables, challah (a braided traditional Jewish
bread), wine and, "plenty of Shabbas ruach to go around." Ruach is a Yiddish word for "spirit."
Lewis said Hillel's plans for the year included at least one Shabbat dinner per month, leadership programming throughout the year, programming to support Israel.
"If we have 25 then we'll be thrilled," Lewis said, "but if we have 75 then we'll be bursting at the seams. We're hoping for that kind of problem."
For more information on any of KU Hillel's programs call 749-5397.
Contact Passman at apassman@kansan.com. This story was edited by Ryan Malashock.