KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2010 / NEWS
CLIMATE CHANGE
3A
Tricycle-riding petitioner makes stop at Wescoe Hall
BY ALLYSON SHAW ashaw@kansan.com
Tom Weis wants to petition the government for 100 percent renewable energy by 2020. He plans to do it after traveling from Boulder, Colo., to Washington, D.C., on a yellow rocket tricycle. He doesn't stop often, but he did in Lawrence on Friday to talk to an environmental studies class outside Wescoe Hall.
"We only have a little bit of time left to deal with the climate change crisis," Weis said. "2010 is the time to do it. And we can — the technology that we need is here."
Weis left Boulder, where he is
the president of Climate Crisis Solutions, on Sept. 21 and plans to reach Washington by mid-November. He is stopping in small towns along the way to gather support for his cause.
"This isn't about politics." Weis said "it's about our earth."
Weis used to work as a government aide and for political campaigns. He left to make some "real change."
"I've been on the inside." Weis said. "Nothing is getting done."
Weis spoke about his desire to see it take the lead in green technology. He emphasized the use of solar wind and geothermal energy.
His bike is powered both by pedals and an electric motor to help him get over hills. Solar panels power his headlights, blinkers and his iPhone.
"He's thinking of out-of-the-box ways to help the environment," said Johannes Feddema, professor of geography.
Weis asked that any interested persons sign his petition on his website, rideforrenewables.com. He said he will present the petition when he meets with the president.
"What he's doing is really cool," said Neal Fingerhut, a freshman from New York City and a student in the environmental studies class. "It's a great cause."
Watch this story from KUJH at kansan.com/videos
Idaho man tries to bill Medicaid for rap
BOISE, Idaho — A counselor found out the hard way that Idaho Medicaid doesn't pay for rap concerts.
for counseling two boys when he actually took them to see the Kottonmouth Kings perform.
The state attorney general's office says 26-year-old Lindsay Nelson billed Medicaid last year
ODD NEWS
Authorities say Nelson billed Idaho Medicaid last year for providing individual counseling services for the two boys.
The agency says Nelson, who works in psychosocial rehabilitation, was sentenced Friday in Idaho's 1st District Court to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to one count of Medicaid provider fraud.
Associated Press
A state investigation later determined that the service Nelson provided consisted of him taking a group to the rap concert in nearby Spokane, Wash.
KCBEERFEST:LEGENDS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 @ 2:00PM
$25 in advance / $30 at the door (Must be 21+ to attend - ID Required to enter)
KCBeerfest is a fundraiser for the AIDS Services Foundation of Greater Kansas City (www.asfkc.org) and the Kansas City Free Health Clinic (www.kcfree.org).
Join us in October for the 4th Annual KCBeerfest @ Legends Outlets Kansas City. Sample hundreds of beers from around the world, learn more about craft brews and raise money for charity!
TASTE LEARN GIVE
WWW.KCBEERFEST.COM