*CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13*
Markley, Open Swim organizer,
knows the people around him
are bonded because worship is a
part of their lives. "I feel connected
to everyone," he says.
Being young and a devout Christian isn't always easy. "When people say college is the best four years of your life, they're usually not referring to worship services," says Chad Donohoe,college pastor at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 3312 Calvin Drive. Donohoe leads several worship services for college students and says that in many ways, today's culture with the Christian way of life.
That's one of the reasons Kangas makes it to Open Swim every month. He doesn't drink alcohol, plans on waiting until
marriage to have sex and has not yet kissed a girl. He says he will not date someone unless he thinks he could marry her. These choices make Kangas decidedly different from many of his peers. So he comes to Open Swim to be around friends who are resisting the same temptations. He says he doesn't think he could do it by himself.
"There are times when I feel like getting wasted," Kangas says. "But it would be ridiculous to throw my scholarship away on something like that. My Christian friends are there to help me through those times."
At the height of the Pool Boys' popularity, over 500 students were coming to Open Swim every week. The Pool Boys released an album called Open
Swim and moved to Nashville to pursue music further. Today, most members of the Pool Boys have started families or full-time careers in ministry, but they often return to KU — and only KU — to play at Open Swim. Clements has moved back to Lawrence, so he regularly leads Open Swim with other local musicians.
After Pastor Donahoe offers his last words and acknowledges that walking with Christ is not always easy, the musicians take the stage for one final song. Kangas' hands are high in the air, and after the lights come up, he's all smiles. He helps the band unload some speakers from the stage and talks with friends.
Kangas got what he wanted; tonight was genuine. Tonight, he connected with God.
THIS WEEKEND
KJHK's annual local music competition, Farmer's Ball, will hold it opening playoff rounds tonight and tomorrow at the Jackpot Saloon, 943 Massachusetts St., at 10 p.m. Two bands will be selected from each night's performance to play during the finals Saturday night at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.Guest judges and crowd response will determine the winners.
Coat Party, Ample Branches, Suzanna Johannes and KTP play tonight. Wood Roses, Young Tree, The Kinetiks and Attack on Uranus play tomorrow.
Matt Elder
FOOD REVIEW SLUSHY DRINKS
The sunny and warm days of summer are here.Put on your flip-flops and shorts, sit back and cool off with a refreshing slush drink.Here are four choices for your drinking pleasure.
SPANGLES CHERRY SLUSH
Spangles
3420 W. Sixth Street
$1.59 (Medium)
This drink is so sweet and syrupy it makes your teeth hurt. The cooling iciness does little to detract from the veritable root canal you experience with each sip of this fire engine-red slush.
★★
AL'S CREAMY BLUE
RASPBERRY ALLIGATOR ICE
Kwik Shop
1846 Massachusetts St.
$1.50 (medium)
This drink comes in a fun electric blue color.The fun doesn't last long, though, when the artificial fruity liquid of this drink is sucked out quickly from a straw, leaving only a plastic cup of dehydrated ice behind.
CHERRY ARCTIC BLAST
★★
Kwik Shop
1420 Kasold Dr.
$0.94 (small)
This treat is smooth, fruity and slightly tart. It's light, cold and good for refreshing a scratchy throat on a hot day.
★★★★
BEST:
SONIC MINUTE
MAID CRANBERRY
JUICE SLUSH
Sonic Drive-in
3201 W. Sixth Street
$1.60 (medium)
This is the best of the bunch because of its perfect liquid-toice ratio. Don't let the cranberry surprise you, this drink isn't too tart; instead, it's the perfect mix
of fruity refreshment. It's made out of real cranberry juice, so you can get in a serving of fruit while enjoying this icy treat.
★★★★★
Courtney Hagen
Treat yourself to the ultimate music experience!
14➔ JAYPLAY 04.05.2007