Concert, auction help Arc of Douglas County

A benefit concert and silent auction Sunday at Stu’s Midtown Tavern, 925 Iowa, raised more than $1,000 for Arc of Douglas County, a nonprofit group that helps people with physical and developmental disabilities.

The evening’s music was provided by Natural Selections, Bill Ebeling and The Late for Dinner Band, and The Torque Converters.

Above, Sharon Heigele, Lawrence, makes bids on gift certificates for the silent auction.

Money raised at the event will support the Arlyn West Special Needs Fund, a fund Arc administers to give children and adults access to nonessential services such as music therapy and horseback riding.

For more information about Arc, call 749-0121.

Higher education: Baker University plans winter commencement

More than 600 Baker University students will receive degrees Sunday at the university’s winter commencement ceremony.

Kala M. Stroup, president of American Humanics Inc., and Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas City, will address graduates at the ceremony.

Commencement activities begin with a School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Grace Episcopal Cathedral Church in Topeka.

A worship service at 9:30 a.m. in Osborne Chapel begins the commencement-day activities in Baldwin. A commencement luncheon follows from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Harter Union.

Undergraduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing and School of Professional and Graduate Studies will receive degrees at 1 p.m. Stroup will address that ceremony.

Graduate students will receive their degrees at 4:30 p.m. Grant will speak at that ceremony.

Federal aid: Grant to help AIDS, HIV patients obtain housing

Kansas Department of Health and Environment will be getting $1.3 million in federal funds to provide housing opportunities for people with HIV/AIDS, officials announced last week.

KDHE is expected to use the funds to begin a Kansas Care Through Housing program in areas of the state not receiving other federal HIV/AIDS funding.

The program will offer rent assistance and emergency aid to an estimated 100 low-income Kansans living with HIV/AIDS.

For more information, call Karl Milhon at KDHE, 785-296-6036.

Arts: HINU auction showcases American Indian culture

Haskell Indian Nations University will hold an auction from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Stidham Union, at the corner of Indian and Barker avenues on Haskell’s campus

Haskell staff, faculty, alumni and students donated items to be auctioned. They include artwork, cultural items, jewelry, quilts, clothing and more. In addition, Navajo tacos will be on sale with dessert and a drink for $5.

Money raised from the auction will go toward operating expenses for Haskell Cultural Center and Museum.

To donate items or for more information, call 832-6686.